UN chief warns that traffickers may be guilty of war crimes

Guterres called for urgent action to combat human trafficking, singling out the recent video of African migrants being sold as slaves in Libya and extremists and criminals forcing women, boys and girls into "de-humanising servitude."

By: AP | United Nations | Published: November 22, 2017 3:13 pm

Antonio Guterres, UN Chief Antonio Guterres, UN Chief Antonio Guterres on war crimes, UN Chief war crimes,

Guterres spoke to the UN Security Council shortly before members unanimously adopted a resolution sponsored by Italy, this month’s council president, condemning all instances of human trafficking “in the strongest terms.” (Reuters/File)

Terrorist groups and criminals are capitalising on conflict to exploit innocent civilians sexually and physically which may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said. The UN chief on Tuesday said the brutality of extremist groups such as the Islamic State, Boko Haram, al-Shabab and the Lord’s Resistance Army “knows no bounds” and sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery, and the removal of organs without consent “are the tools of their trade.”