Human trafficking can flourish in a post-conflict situation, and traffickers may see the deployment of thousands of troops as a potential market. Trafficking is illegal and is contrary to UN principles and can undermine crucial elements of a peace process, such as police reform and implementation of the rule of law mandates.

The UN is working to prevent peacekeepers from becoming a source of demand that traffickers may target and is committed to playing a substantive support role in confronting human trafficking in mission areas. Training and sensitization programmes for military and civilian personnel are under way. Peacekeepers are given guidance on the detection and identification of trafficking and on model legislation for national plans of action. Any peacekeeper found involved in human trafficking will face disciplinary action and if appropriate, criminal prosecution.

The UN police in Kosovo, for example, established an anti-trafficking unit in 2001, opened a shelter for victims and repatriates UN personnel patronizing businesses suspected of involvement in trafficking.