<P> The protocol was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 and entered into force on 25 December 2003 . As of September 2017 it has been ratified by 171 parties . </P> <P> The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is responsible for implementing the protocol . It offers practical help to states with drafting laws, creating comprehensive national anti-trafficking strategies, and assisting with resources to implement them . In March 2009, UNODC launched the Blue Heart Campaign to fight human trafficking, to raise awareness, and to encourage involvement and inspire action . </P> <P> The protocol commits ratifying states to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, protecting and assisting victims of trafficking and promoting cooperation among states in order to meet those objectives . </P> <P> The protocol covers the following: </P>

Article 3 of the trafficking in persons protocol