2. Empowering Developing and Underdeveloped Nations to Combat Human Trafficking
Topic Overview
Human Trafficking is defined as “the recruitment, transport, transfer, harboring or receipt of a person by such means as threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud or deception for the purposes of exploitation.” This definition incorporates three elements: an action (e.g. recruitment), through a certain means (e.g. coercion), and for a specific purpose (exploitation). A purpose of exploitation includes “at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practice similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.”
Addressing human trafficking is difficult for a number of reasons. International, national, and local organizations have struggled with it because of its clandestine nature and the fact that it is almost always a form of organized crime. For this reason, the exact number of individuals who are victims of human trafficking is subject to debate. However, there can be no doubt as to the seriousness and scope of the problem. While unlike Migrant Smuggling, Human Trafficking is not always transnational (since it can occur within a state’s borders), it has increasingly globalized and affects every country, as a country of origin, transit, and/or destination.
Trafficking can occur on a national, regional, or long-distance level. The majority of victims are trafficked from less developed countries into more developed countries. Every country or region faces its own unique set of affects and challenges from human trafficking. For example, Europe is the destination for victims from the widest range of destinations while, conversely, victims originating from Asia are trafficked to the widest range of destinations. Between 2012 and 2014, more than 500 different trafficking flows were detected.
The third committee of the General Assembly has had a long history of dealing with issues related to worldwide human trafficking. The topic of human trafficking stands as one of the foremost issues the General Assembly hopes to eradicate and many resources have been dedicated towards stopping the influx in human trafficking cases. Namely, one area that the General Assembly must put more focus on is assisting developing and underdeveloped nations in combating trafficking. Many developing and underdeveloped nations face rampant human trafficking problems and lack many of the necessary resources to tackle the problem head on. With this issue being a systemic problem that has plagued the developing and underdeveloped world, the General Assembly must step in and think of methods in which the combat against human trafficking can be taken to the next level.
Background
In 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, which entered into force at the end of 2003. This protocol supplements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime; its main goals were to combat human trafficking, protect and assist victims, and promote international cooperation to this end. It standardized the definition of human trafficking and required ratifying states to criminalize it.
As of 2016, the number of countries that had criminalized most forms of trafficking was 158, having increased from 2003, the point in which the Trafficking in Persons Protocol entered into effect. Because most of this legislation is relatively recent, it is hard to properly gauge the effects. Nevertheless, it is clear that many, if not most, trafficking crimes still go unpunished. This challenge is especially pertinent in developing countries, that may be subject to conflict that may give rise to vulnerable populations or lack the infrastructure to enforce and protect.
Current Situation
Despite this increase in criminalization, the number of convictions remains low. Furthermore, the understanding of what trafficking looks like has changed over the past decade. According to the UNODC, Sexual exploitation is the most commonly identified form of trafficking, followed by forced labor. Forced labor is increasing relative to sexual exploitation. Women are disproportionately involved in human trafficking, both as victims and as offenders (sometimes becoming perpetrators as a means of escaping their own victimization). At the same time, men now account for a greater proportion of victims than they did a decade ago. Most traffickers are of the same nationality as their victims.
Because people who are escaping war and persecution are especially vulnerable to exploitation, conflicts around the world have an effect on trafficking. The massive influx of migrants and refugees from the Middle East has brought with it a corresponding concern for trafficking of vulnerable children, women, and men.
In 2016, the General Assembly adopted the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. This is unprecedent expression of political will among states to address a number of issues relating to the movement of peoples, including several concrete actions regarding human trafficking and migrant smuggling. In 2010, the General Assembly passed the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. This September, the it met to evaluate and assess the progress of the plan.
Discussion Questions
What support and protection should victims should be afforded? Are they treated as victims of crimes in your country?
Does your country have anti-trafficking legislation? Can its officials—law enforcement and prosecutors—be expected to be properly trained to utilize these tools?
How can victims be better encouraged to cooperate in prosecutions (especially where they have been threatened and intimidated by traffickers)?
To what extent can states realistically cooperate to address the challenge of international, organized crime in human trafficking?
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