Iran's Criminal Policy Regarding Human Trafficking, Especially of Women and Children

Today, the fight against human trafficking as one of the crimes against human dignity, is the manifestation of the efforts of many countries. Violations of human dignity by human traffickers and the close link between trafficking and other organized crimes, such as money laundering, are among the main reasons for the international community's determination to combat this crime. Iran, like many other countries, has not escaped the human traffickers. Prior to the enactment of the Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act (TVPA), the criminal justice system was in disarray. In 2004, following international developments such as the ratification of United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children acceding to the Palermo Convention, as well as submitting reports on trafficking in women and children from Iran to neighboring countries, Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act was enacted in Iran. This action filled the legal gap in this area, but haste in enacting it led to silence about many issues related to this crime. The present article tries to analyze and evaluate the mentioned act and point out its shortcomings