Vienna, 30 July 2026 \u2013 To mark the World Day Against Human Trafficking, the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Austria, H.E. Sebastian Prince of Schoenaich-Carolath, draws attention to the dramatic scale of one of the most serious and, at the same time, most hidden crimes of our time. Human Trafficking is one of the most profitable forms of organised crime worldwide and constitutes a massive attack on human dignity and freedom.<\/b><\/p>\n
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\u201cCombating Human Trafficking is a key priority for the Sovereign Order of Malta. It concerns a core tenet of Christianity: the inalienable dignity of every single human being. This dignity must never be turned into a commodity,\u201d emphasises the Order\u2019s Ambassador. According to estimates by international organisations, more than 50 million people worldwide are affected by Human Trafficking and modern slavery. After the arms and drugs trades, human trafficking \u2013 with an estimated annual turnover of around 240 billion US dollars \u2013 ranks among the most lucrative sectors of organised crime. Behind these figures lie the individual fates of millions of people who are deprived of their freedom, exploited and whose fundamental rights are disregarded.<\/p>\n
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Various facets of Human Trafficking<\/b><\/p>\n
Human trafficking takes many forms. Women and girls are forced into prostitution or sexually exploited. Men often find themselves in labour slavery \u2013 on construction sites, in factories, in agriculture, or on fishing vessels and container ships \u2013 frequently without pay, under threat of violence and with no means of escape.<\/p>\n
Crimes against children are particularly shocking. Minors are forced to beg, abused as child soldiers, or exploited for criminal activities. The Order is also observing with great concern the rapid rise in digital forms of Human Trafficking, such as so-called \u2018grooming\u2019. Children and young people are manipulated and blackmailed into producing intimate images or videos of themselves, which are then distributed for commercial purposes or used for ongoing blackmail. The consequences for those affected are often lifelong and range from severe psychological trauma to social exclusion.<\/p>\n
International organ trafficking also represents an alarming form of exploitation. People in dire straits are pressured into selling their organs, whilst criminal networks reap enormous profits. In particularly serious cases, people are even abducted and abused as involuntary organ donors.<\/p>\n
As a country at the heart of Europe, and with Vienna as the seat of numerous international organisations, Austria has a special responsibility to take a firm stand against this cross-border crime. The Sovereign Order of Malta sees its role in this regard as raising awareness, providing education and fostering international cooperation. Through dialogue with government institutions, international organisations and civil society, the Order is committed to raising awareness, better protecting victims and strengthening preventive measures.<\/p>\n
\u201cHuman Trafficking is not a distant problem, but a global challenge that also affects Europe and Austria. Only through joint action, international cooperation and a consistent focus on the dignity of every human being can this crime be effectively combated,\u201d said H.E. Ambassador Prince of Schoenaich-Carolath. To mark the World Day Against Human Trafficking , the Order of Malta calls on the political sphere, the business community and society at large to take joint responsibility and take decisive action against all forms of exploitation and human trafficking. The protection of human dignity must be the top priority.<\/p>\n
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Enquiries for interviews and contact details<\/b><\/p>\n
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