• Press releases

21 May 2025

Washington DC, USA – Lawyers Without Borders Canada will be participating in the 30th annual Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition organized by the American University in Washington, D.C., from May 19 to 23, 2025.

 

The Inter-American Moot Court is a simulated trial designed to train law students in presenting a hypothetical case of human rights violations before the Inter-American Court. Students must submit a legal brief and deliver oral arguments before a panel of experts with the Inter-American System.

 

The competition aims to foster the next generation of legal professionals and deepen their understanding of key human rights issues.

 

This year’s theme is Human Trafficking.

 

LWB Canada Executive Director, Karine Ruel, has been invited to serve as an honorary jury member.

 

Additionally, LWB Canada will co-host an event during the competition to share its experience in combating human trafficking through a human rights-based approach.

 

Understanding human trafficking for more effective responses

 

According to the latest data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), victims of human trafficking were exploited in over 128 countries in 2022, underscoring the global nature of this scourge.

 

Traffickers prey on individuals in vulnerable situations, making human trafficking a reflection of systemic issues in our societies, such as social inequalities, gender discrimination and poverty. The greater the imbalance of power and inequality, are marked, the higher the risk of exploitation and trafficking for vulnerable groups.

 

To effectively address human trafficking, it is essential to tackle its root causes through multiples strategies, such as:

 

– Reducing social inequalities and promoting human development;

– Strengthening and guaranteeing the protection of human rights;

– Ensuring safe and legal migration pathways;

– Transforming consumption and production practices that enable exploitation;

– Supporting local civil society and community organizations that assist victims.

 

LWB Canada’s Efforts Against Human Trafficking

 

For nearly a decade, LWB Canada has led international cooperation projects in the Americas to fight human trafficking, supporting both civil society organizations that accompany victims and state entities responsible for prosecution. It also focuses on enhancing coordination and dialogue among all stakeholders involved in anti-trafficking efforts.

 

In concrete terms, LWB Canada is active in Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia and El Salvador, by:

– Publishing analyses of case law related to human trafficking;

– Making recommendations to state actors to strengthen legal frameworks and public policies;

– Creating platforms for dialogue and sharing best practices among experts;

– Delivering technical training to police, judges, prosecutors, and other institutions engaged in anti-trafficking work;

– Supporting civil society organizations that provide legal representation, psychosocial support and protection services to victims.

 

Legal resources

 

This section offers publications specially designed for lawyers and law students aiming to expand their knowledge of human trafficking through a human rights lens. Here you will find a curated selection of ressources and tools developed by LWB Canada, centered on this year’s competition theme, “Human Trafficking and Human Rights” (available only in Spanish).