UNICEF BiH statement on child trafficking in the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina

UNICEF is appalled by recent reports of human trafficking in Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Reports suggest some 30 children aged between 0 and 12 years old were among the victims. UNICEF remains at the disposal of the authorities in Brčko to provide essential support and services to all children affected. 

An estimated one in three human trafficking victims globally are children. Few come forward for fear of their traffickers, lack of information about their options, mistrust of authorities, fear of stigma or the likelihood of being returned without any safeguards and limited material support. Refugee, migrant and displaced children are especially vulnerable to trafficking as most travel alone without their parents or legal guardians, leaving them more vulnerable to violence, abuse, and exploitation by traffickers. 

UNICEF remains committed to working with the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to strengthen child and social protection systems to prevent, identify, refer and respond to cases of trafficking of children; provide mental health support and a safe environment for identified child victims; improve cross border collaboration and knowledge exchange between and among border control, law enforcement and child protection authorities, and support timely family tracing and reunification procedures and alternative care arrangements for children deprived of parental care.