Reception
From WolfWikis
The world's third most profitable criminal activity after drug-smuggling and gun-running...
In many cases of trafficking in human beings, recruiters do not only force their captives to perform sexual acts, but also forced labor. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes gives the following figures, this data shows what happens to a good portion of the women, children, and some men after transportation across borders:
(a) In 85 per cent of cases where women were reported to be the victims, they were said to be trafficked for sexual exploitation and in 2 percent of the incidents for forced labour, while 13 per cent of cases included both types of exploitation;
(b) Of cases where men were reported to be the victims, 16 per cent involved trafficking for sexual exploitation and 24 per cent for forced labour, with 60 percent of cases including both types of exploitation;
(c) As regards cases where children were reported to be the victims, in 70 per cent of the incidents children were said to be trafficked for sexual exploitation and in 13 percent for forced labour and 18 per cent of cases included both types of exploitation.
What happens to the 600,000 to 800,000 human beings that are trafficked every year, once they arrive at their destinations? After traveling across borders, where do the many women, children, and at times, men go to perform their acts of prostitution? In a recently published article, "Transnational Activities of Chinese Crime Organizations," it was found that "Large numbers of illegal migrants move directly from China into large Chinese communities in Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, and Costa Rica. In those countries, which have no visa requirement, local criminal organizations obtain documentation for the migrants." [1]
Not all people who are victims of the traffic are transported, but the majority are. Local trafficking occurs frequently, however, with a number of parents who make their children, or children of neighboring families perform sexual favors for money. Figures show, however, that Latin American and Caribbean countries are more frequently countries of origin, rather than countries of transit or destination. This compares with what the UNODC calls "Developed Countries," (those such as the United States and Western Europe) that are substantially more frequently countries of destination. [2] http://children.foreignpolicyblogs.com/files/2007/05/trafficking-destination-map.jpg [3]
Recent data gathered by the IOM South Eastern Europe Trafficking Database shows the percentages of age ranges of victims, fifty-four (54) percent of the people are between the ages eightteen and twenty-four. Also, Table Six (Relation of the Recruiter to the Victim) of their data shows that an astounding sixty-eight (68) percent of the recruiters were an "acquaintance, friend, neighbout or family friend" of the victim. [4]
http://www.unodc.org/images/odccp/psa_human_trafficking_2002_4.jpg
This picture shows a woman who experienced a brutal physical effect of human trafficking in Latin America.
"The region's strong culture of machismo holds that sex with underage girls is safer and a sign of male virility." Norma Pereira,
Child psychologist in Ciudad del Este.
Physical Effects
HIV/AIDS
http://wikis.lib.ncsu.edu/images/d/df/ServeImage.gif [5]
"By the end of the year 2001 the estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS was 40 million worldwide. Of these, 1.8 million were located in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) countries, representing approximately 5% of the global figure. Although the proportion of the global total in this region is relatively low, it still represents a major health problem for countries in the region, with an important number of individuals affected by the epidemic. -AIDS Online
The above chart shows HIV prevalence among female sex workers in the Dominican Republic from the years 1991 to 2000, as according to Aids Online, the Official Journal of the International AIDS Society. According to the International AIDS Society, "HIV infection seems to remain low among FSW (Female Sex Workers)," surprisingly "this vulnerable group have shown rates of between less than 1 and 5%." The percentages vary, however, from country to country in Latin American and Caribbean countries, higher in some places, especially in the countryside, and lower in others. Thanks to the help of the UN's GPAT, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS has decreased. [6]
http://blue.utb.edu/paullgj/geog3320/lectures/AIDS_Map_Adults1.gif [blue.utb.edu]
United Nations Protocol
http://www.achrs.org/english/imageBank/un.gif
The United Nations has taken great measures to deal with the problem of trafficking in human beings in its Global Programme Against Trafficking in Human Beings, or GPAT for short. In 2000, the UN held the Convention Against Transnational Organized crime, to discuss trafficking in human beings, as well as laws, and measures to prevent trafficking from occurring and punish those guilty of the crime. Some of these measures include the Palermo Protocols, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, and the Protocol Against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.
The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children
- Also known as the Trafficking Protocol.
- This protocol gives the detailed definition of Trafficking in Human Beings.
- The protocol also defines what a "child" is, because that creates a more harsh punishment for those who violate the laws.
- There is also a scope of application of the laws provided in this protocol.
- Preventative measures for Trafficking in Human Beings are also outlined by the United Nations in this protocol, as well.
- The preventative measures are followed by another section of the protocol, outlining border measures, in regards to punishment.
- Also included are obligations on commercial carriers and key elements for effective operation of immigration laws.
- Among other, the protocol also deals with and mentions ...
- Liability of a company
- Information on exchange and training
- Security of control of documents
- Mutual legal assistance
- Extradition
- ...and so many more topics. [7]
The Protocol Against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air Declares that "that effective action to prevent and combat the smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air requires a comprehensive international approach, including cooperation, the exchange of information and other appropriate measures, including socio-economic measures, at the national, regional and international levels." [8]
- Deals with people smuggling, in general.
- Defines - Smuggling of migrants, "illegal entry," fraudulent travel or identity documents, and what a "vessel" of transportation is.
- Gives the scope of application of laws against smuggling of persons
- Aggravating people smuggling offense, outlining of penalties of specific countries of the world
- Penalty for offence to facilitate stay of a smuggled person
- Difference punishments for smuggling by land, air, and sea
- Specification of those immune from criminal persecution
- Assistance and protection for victims
- Reparations provided for victims
- Prevention and cooperation of criminals
- Additional border measures,
- As well as many more of the same details of the Trafficking Protocol [9]
Annotated Bibliography
I used this cite to gather articles from reliable sources. EBSCO Host is a great way to search credible articles for free through my university.
This is a great cite that I used for a large portion of my research. This is the cite of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. This website contains primary sources, as well as copies of the research done by the UN and copies of international legislation passed.
- http://children.foreignpolicyblogs.com/files/2007/05/trafficking-destination-map.jpg
I used this cite for illustrations. The pictures on this website are great for showing the which countries have the highest concentration of trafficking in human beings, as well as trafficking routes.
This website provided the majority of my information in my section of Physical Effects. The numbers on this website are as accurate as they could possibly be, although the numbers are definitely skewed, as would be expected, because it is an international poll.