A/HRC/15/27 primary duty bearer. The special attention afforded to victims in that approach did not exist in criminal justice. Law enforcers needed to admit that human rights should be part of their obligations. That might have a knock-on effect on other areas of their work and, for instance, help in preventing torture in detention. The speaker referred to the particular manifestations of trafficking in her country, including mail-order brides, child soldiers, the removal and sale of organs, and international adoption, and noted the importance of comprehensive legislation. Strong victim identification procedures were also essential, particularly in view of the fact that in law enforcement responses in that area were often reactive. Human rights commissions could play an important role in protecting victims and holding the State to account. The speaker’s institution had concluded an agreement with the national Government to work together in combating trafficking. 19. Ms. Gupta pointed out that no one chose to be born poor, low-caste or female; slavery was not inevitable; and that victims of trafficking sought the dismantling of the systems and structures that enabled their exploitation. They were claiming their right to food, housing, education and a livelihood as the best way to ensure protection against trafficking. The speaker noted that measures aimed at alleviating suffering or preventing further harm were not sufficient without action to address demand for trafficking. She noted the prevalence of internal trafficking and observed that border management approaches had no impact on that aspect of the phenomenon. Those targeted for sexual exploitation and cheap labour tended to be poor and/or young, belong to minority populations and to have a history of abuse and little family support. For victims and potential victims, comprehensive assistance and protection programmes that addressed their vulnerabilities were vital, such as legal protection together with rehabilitation and viable economic options. Traffickers and end-users must be prosecuted and appropriately punished. 20. Ms. Requena introduced the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, an instrument that integrated a strong rights-based approach to the issue. The Convention, which currently had 27 States parties and an additional 16 signatories, was open to all States and the European Union. The Convention was strengthened through an independent mechanism charged with monitoring implementation of its provisions. The speaker highlighted a recent decision by the European Court of Human Rights that had affirmed the legal responsibility of States to protect victims and to effectively investigate trafficking cases. The Court had also concluded that in that particular case trafficking fell within the concept of “slavery and forced labour”, prohibited by the European Convention on Human Rights. The speaker concluded by noting that the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings affirmed many of the core positions set out in the Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking. As a legally binding instrument, the Convention should be able to enhance the impact and further the application of the Principles and Guidelines. 21. In the plenary discussions that followed the expert presentations, interventions were made by representatives of 10 States (Uruguay, Egypt, Germany, Belarus, Eritrea, China, Cyprus, Russian Federation, the Philippines and Mexico), ILO, IOM, UNICEF, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Fundación Mujeres en Igualdad (Argentina), Anti-Slavery International, Equality Now/European Women’s Lobby, ECPAT International and the Soldiers’ Mothers Association of St. Petersburg (Russian Federation). 22. All speakers participating in the plenary session affirmed the importance of a human rights-based approach to victim protection and support. It was noted by a number of speakers that such an approach required all efforts to ensure that trafficked persons were accorded all human rights, including those to which they were entitled as victims of crime as well as victims of human rights violations. International law imposes further and 7