Zwingli Convention on the Prevention of Human Trafficking and Child Sex Tourism

The Zwingli Convention on the Prevention of Human Trafficking and Child Sex Tourismis part of the legal framework of the Commonwealth of Peoples although non-Commonwealth states are invited to sign. The treaty requires certain actions of the Commonwealth member states in preventing human trafficking and child sex tourism. The enforcement of the treaty is the duty of the Commonwealth Secretariat for Human Rights Promotion.

The Convention requires the following of signatories:

• prosecuting their nationals and other residents involvement with trafficking or child sex tourism, even if all overt acts involved took place abroad
• providing social services for victims of trafficking
• providing protection and anonymity for victims of trafficking
• granting victims of trafficking immunity from prosecution for acts related to their having been trafficked such as prostitution or immigration violations
• granting victims of trafficking immunity from prosecution for acts taken to escape from traffickers or to ward off a specific offense on the part of traffickers or their associates
• suspending the parental rights of parents or other legal guardians discovered to have trafficked a child
• giving due consideration to the special needs of children for protection and care in formulating laws on trafficking
• guaranteeing immunity from deportation or involuntary repatriation to victims of trafficking
• facilitating the return of children who have been victims of international trafficking with due regard for safety
• providing appropriately severe penalties for traffickers and child sex tourists
• confiscating the instruments and proceeds of trafficking for use in helping its victims

The Convention also requires any signatory which has not yet done so to pass comprehensive legislation against trafficking and child sex tourism. However, to date every signatory has already had such legislation in place.