Trafficking of Human Beings from a Human Rights Perspective (International Studies in Human Rights)

It has been widely accepted that trafficking of human beings is a human rights issue. However, it has been difficult to address the human rights aspects of the phenomenon in practice, because a comprehensive analysis of applicable human rights norms and principles has not been fully developed, and therefore the nature of obligations imposed upon States is not entirely clear. The purpose of this book, then, is to establish a human rights framework to promote better understanding of the multi-faceted problems inherent in trafficking of human beings, articulate obligations imposed upon States, and facilitate a holistic approach. The book also contains chapters on case studies at the national, regional, and international levels, thereby combining the theory and practice. Table of Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Table of Cases......Page 12 Table of Treaties and other International Instruments......Page 16 Background......Page 20 Research Design......Page 24 Structure......Page 25 1.1 Introduction......Page 28 1.2 Historical Background......Page 29 1.3 Early Views on Trafficking......Page 32 1.4.1 Preliminary Consideration......Page 37 1.4.2.1 Illegal Migration......Page 41 1.4.2.2 Coercion and Lack of Consent......Page 44 1.4.3 Trafficking and Gender......Page 46 1.4.4 Trafficking and Organised Crime......Page 48 1.4.5 Trafficking and Human Rights......Page 51 1.5 Conclusion......Page 56 2.2.1 Statistical Overview......Page 58 2.2.2 Major Causes of Trafficking......Page 61 2.2.3 Profile of Traffickers......Page 65 2.3.1 National Laws and Policies......Page 66 2.3.2.1 Relevant Agencies and Statistical Information......Page 71 2.3.2.2 Analysis of Law Enforcement......Page 72 2.3.3 Victim Protection Measures......Page 75 2.3.4 NGOs Working on Trafficking in Thailand......Page 78 2.4.1 National Laws and Policies......Page 79 2.4.2.1 Relevant Agencies and Statistical Information......Page 81 2.4.2.2 Analysis of Law Enforcement......Page 82 2.4.3 Victim Protection Measures......Page 84 2.4.4 NGOs Working on Trafficking in Poland......Page 86 2.5.1 National Laws and Policies......Page 87 2.5.2.1 Relevant Agencies and Statistical Information......Page 91 2.5.2.2 Analysis of Law Enforcement......Page 93 2.5.3 Victim Protection Measures......Page 94 2.5.4 NGOs Working on Trafficking in the United Kingdom......Page 96 2.6.1 National Laws and Policies......Page 98 2.6.3 Protection of Victims......Page 99 2.6.4 NGOs......Page 100 2.7 Conclusion......Page 102 3.1 Introduction......Page 104 3.2 European Union (EU)......Page 105 3.2.1 Policies and Programmes under Maastricht Treaty......Page 106 3.2.2 Policies and Programmes under Treaty of Amsterdam......Page 112 3.2.3 Analysis of EU Actions against Trafficking......Page 115 3.2.3.1 Legal Nature of Measures Taken by the EU......Page 116 3.2.3.2 Restrictive Immigration Laws and Policies......Page 118 3.2.3.3 Failure to Protect Victims of Trafficking......Page 119 3.2.4 A Need for a Holistic Approach......Page 120 3.3.1 United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Trafficking (UNIAP)......Page 123 3.3.2 International Organisation for Migration (IOM)......Page 126 3.3.3 International Labour Organisation (ILO)......Page 130 3.3.4 Analysis of UNIAP, IOM and ILO......Page 135 3.4 Conclusion......Page 138 4.1 Introduction......Page 140 4.2.1 Causes of Trafficking......Page 141 4.2.2 Process of Trafficking......Page 143 4.2.3 Consequences of Trafficking......Page 144 4.3.1 Development under International Human Rights Law......Page 146 4.3.2 Indirect Enforcement of Human Rights Norms and Principles: Criminal and Civil Proceedings......Page 150 4.3.3.1 Definition of Crime Against Humanity......Page 152 4.3.3.2 Some Implications for the International Legal System......Page 158 4.4 Conclusion......Page 163 5.1 Introduction......Page 166 5.2.1 Obligation to Prohibit Trafficking of Human Beings and Related Acts......Page 167 5.2.2 Obligation to Investigate, Prosecute and Punish Traffickers......Page 169 5.2.3 Obligation to Protect Victims of Trafficking......Page 172 5.2.4 Obligation to Address the Causes and Consequences of Trafficking......Page 180 5.3 Human Rights Framework and Trafficking Protocol......Page 183 5.4 Interaction among Different Branches of International Law......Page 184 5.5 Towards Global Governance?......Page 188 5.6 Conclusion......Page 190 Conclusion......Page 192 Recommendations......Page 193 Wider Issues and Future Research......Page 195 Annex 1 Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime......Page 198 Annex 2 Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime......Page 210 Annex 3 Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking......Page 226 Selected Bibliography......Page 244 Index......Page 256

Trafficking of human beings is a widespread practice in the modern world. It has been estimated that between 600,000 and 800,000 people, the majority of whom are women and children, are trafficked worldwide each year. The rapid growth in trafficking of human beings and its transnational nature have prompted the international community to take urgent action, and a major step was taken when the United Nations adopted the Protocol to Prevent and Suppress Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (Trafficking Protocol), attached to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (Organised Crime Convention) in December 2000. Yet addressing the human rights aspects of the phenomenon has proven to be difficult in practice, and so far a holistic approach which addresses wider issues surrounding the phenomenon has not been taken.
The purpose of this book is to go further than simply recognising that trafficking is a human rights issue. It attempts to establish a human rights framework to analyse and address the act by identifying applicable human rights norms and principles from the beginning to the end of the trafficking process, such as the rights to life, work, health, as well as freedom from torture and slavery. It then articulates key obligations under international human rights law, including the obligations to prohibit trafficking, punish traffickers, protect victims, and to address the causes and the consequences of the practice.

"The purpose of this book is to go further than simply recognising that trafficking is a human rights issue. It attempts to establish a human rights framework to analyse and address the act by identifying applicable human rights norms and principles from the beginning to the end of the trafficking process, such as the rights to life, work, health, as well as freedom from torture and slavery. It then articulates key obligations under international human rights law, including the obligations to prohibit trafficking, punish traffickers, protect victims, and to address the causes and the consequences of the practice."--Jacket It has been difficult to address the human rights aspects of the phenomenon in practice. This book aims to establish a human rights framework to promote better understanding of the multi-faceted problems inherent in trafficking of human beings, articulate obligations imposed upon the States, and facilitate a holistic approach