A/HRC/26/37 D. Prevention of trafficking: identifying the core strategies 55. The prevention of trafficking through addressing the underlying vulnerabilities of individuals and groups has been a key theme of the mandate since its inception. However the mandate holders have always accepted that the concept of prevention is much wider than this, encompassing the full range of measures aimed at preventing future acts of trafficking from occurring. International law requires that States act with due diligence to prevent trafficking and the human rights violations with which it is associated. The mandate has examined the general concept of prevention and particular aspects of a preventive approach, including addressing demand and supply chain transparency and accountability.13 Key questions include, for example, what role should measures to encourage safe migration and protect labour rights play in a national or regional prevention strategy? Should States seek to raise public awareness about trafficking? What is required of States with respect to addressing the demand for the goods and services produced through trafficking? How does the obligation of prevention operate in respect of addressing trafficking-related exploitation in supply chains and how can business be encouraged to support supply chains that are free of trafficking? These are complex, difficult issues and the mandate has not been able to address them in full, rather seeking to raise awareness among States and others that will help contribute to a greater understanding of what is required and how it may be achieved. 56. Safe migration. The creation of opportunities for legal, gainful and non-exploitative migration is crucial for preventing future trafficking. That responsibility falls on countries of origin as well as countries of destination. For the former, the provision of adequate information about the rights of migrants and practical advice on how to manage risks in the migratory process are integral obligations. Countries of origin should also ensure that they have the consular facilities to maintain contact with their citizens working abroad and respond effectively to any concerns.14 Countries of destination should ascertain the demand for migrant labour and develop the procedures and mechanisms that enable this demand to be met without exploitation. 57. Labour rights. In many countries, labour inspectorates are not up to the task of supervising workplaces and will anyway not have access to the common sites of exploitation for trafficked persons, which include brothels, private homes, farms and small factories. The Special Rapporteur has repeatedly called on States to strengthen their enforcement of labour laws and take steps to regulate the recruitment agencies that, along with the legitimate businesses that use their services, are profiting so handsomely from the exploitation of migrant workers. The mandate has ascertained that the failure to protect the rights of workers, and in particular migrant workers, is a major contribution to exploitation related to trafficking. 58. Public awareness. Awareness-raising campaigns can be an important method of prevention on two levels: first, by working with at-risk communities to warn them of the dangers of trafficking and second, by sensitizing the public in countries of destination to the plight of trafficked persons and informing them about their in role in prevention. However, the Special Rapporteur has noted that public awareness campaigns are sometimes crude in conception and execution, employing sensationalist scare tactics or designed simply to stop people from moving. There has also been very little critical examination of the effect of such campaigns, including the unintended negative effects that have been anecdotally noted 13 14 See A/65/288, paras. 29–38, A/HRC/23/48 and A/67/261. See, for example, A/HRC/23/48/Add.3, para. 75 and A/65/288 para. 73. 15