migration and paying special attention to economically and socially depressed areas, in order to combat the root socio-economic causes of the uggling of migrants, such as poverty and underdevelopment Article 16 Protection and assistance measures 1. In implementing this Protocol, each State Party shall take, consistent with its obligations under international law, all appropriate measures, including legislation if necessary, to preserve and protect the rights of persons who have been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol as accorded under applicable international law, in particular the right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment 2. Each State Party shall take appropriate measures to afford migrants appropriate protection against violence that may be inflicted upon them, whether by individuals or groups, by reason of being the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this protocol 3. Each State Party shall afford appropriate assistance to migrants whose lives or safety are endangered by reason of being the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this protocol 4. In applying the provisions of this article, States Parties shall take into account the special needs of women and children 5. In the case of the detention of a person who has been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol, each State Party shall comply with its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, where applicable, including that of informing the person concerned without delay about the provisions concerning notification to and communication with consular officers Article /7 Agreements and arrangements States Parties shall consider the conclusion of bilateral or regional agreements or operational arrangements or understandings aimed at (a) Establishing the most appropriate and effective measures prevent and combat the conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol; or (b) Enhancing the provisions of this Protocol among themselves article 8 Return of smuggled migrants 1. Each State Party agrees to facilitate and accept, without undue or unreasonable delay, the return of a person who has been the object of– 10 – migration and paying special attention to economically and socially depressed areas, in order to combat the root socio-economic causes of the smuggling of migrants, such as poverty and underdevelopment. Article 16 Protection and assistance measures 1. In implementing this Protocol, each State Party shall take, consistent with its obligations under international law, all appropriate measures, including legislation if necessary, to preserve and protect the rights of persons who have been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol as accorded under applicable international law, in particular the right to life and the right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 2. Each State Party shall take appropriate measures to afford migrants appropriate protection against violence that may be inflicted upon them, whether by individuals or groups, by reason of being the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol. 3. Each State Party shall afford appropriate assistance to migrants whose lives or safety are endangered by reason of being the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol. 4. In applying the provisions of this article, States Parties shall take into account the special needs of women and children. 5. In the case of the detention of a person who has been the object of conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol, each State Party shall comply with its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, where applicable, including that of informing the person concerned without delay about the provisions concerning notification to and communication with consular officers. Article 17 Agreements and arrangements States Parties shall consider the conclusion of bilateral or regional agreements or operational arrangements or understandings aimed at: (a) Establishing the most appropriate and effective measures to prevent and combat the conduct set forth in article 6 of this Protocol; or (b) Enhancing the provisions of this Protocol among themselves. Article 18 Return of smuggled migrants 1. Each State Party agrees to facilitate and accept, without undue or unreasonable delay, the return of a person who has been the object of