The Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking

Global forum on Human Trafficking Via: UNPulse

The first global forum to fight human trafficking will take place in Vienna from 13-15 February 2008. The Vienna Forum is being convened by the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) which was formally launched by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in March 2007 in recognition of the fact that human trafficking takes many forms and that a co-ordinated and united approach is required.

(http://www.ungift.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=375&Itemid=687)

Trafficking in persons: US policy and issues for Congress

CRS Report for Congress

Published by: Congressional Research Service (CRS), 2008
Via: Docuticker

The State Department issued its seventh congressionally mandated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report on June 12, 2007. Each report categorizes countries into four tiers according to the government’s efforts to combat trafficking. Those countries that do not cooperate in the fight against trafficking (Tier 3) have been made subject to U.S. sanctions since 2003. Sixteen countries were placed on Tier 3 in the 2007 report. On October 18, 2007, President Bush imposed new trafficking in persons related sanctions on Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela.

In the 110th Congress, there are several bills with trafficking-related provisions. The Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007 (P.L. 110- 53) directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide specified funding and administrative support to strengthen the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center. H.R. 3887 (Lantos), approved by the House on December 4, 2007 by a vote of 405-2, would, among other provisions, reauthorize anti-trafficking programs through FY2011, and amend the criminal code and immigration law related to trafficking.

It is likely to be considered by the Senate early in the second session of the 110th Congress. Another bill, H.R. 2522 (Lewis), would establish a Commission to evaluate the effectiveness of current U.S. anti-slavery efforts, including anti- trafficking in persons programs, and make recommendations. S. 1703 (Durbin), approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 20, 2007, would create additional jurisdiction in U.S. courts for trafficking offenses occurring in other countries. This report will be updated periodically to reflect major developments.

(http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34317.pdf)

Stolen smiles: the physical and psychological health consequences of women and adolescents trafficked in Europe

First data on the health consequences of women who have been trafficked

By: Zimmerman C, Hossain M & Yun K
Published by: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 2007
Via: Eldis

Trafficking is a severe form of violence against women and a serious violation of human rights. Women and adolescents who are trafficked often suffer serious abuse, exploitation and degradation. The damage to their health and well-being is often profound and enduring. Yet, to date, little data has been available on the range and extent of the physical and psychological health damage experienced by women who are trafficked.

This report presents some of the first-ever statistical data on the health consequences of women who have been trafficked. It also provides information on the violence and health risks that may have influenced these outcomes. The authors hope that this evidence base will contribute to improved policies and well-planned resources and services available for the many women who require assistance in rebuilding their health and well-being.

(http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/hpu/docs/Stolen%20Smiles%20-%20Trafficking%20and%20
Health%20(2006).pdf)

Reference guide on protecting the rights of child victims of trafficking in Europe

Prevent child trafficking in Europe: a practical guide By: Dottridge, M
Published by: United Nations Children's Fund, 2006
Via: Eldis

Guidelines to protect the rights of child victims of trafficking were developed by UNICEF to ensure the best interests of children at every stage of anti-trafficking action. This guide provides recommendations for the implementation of these standards and measures. It offers step-by-step instructions to those working directly with victims of trafficking and children at risk of being trafficked.

The handbook is divided in three main sections:

• guiding principles and strategies for the implementation: introduces the issue of child trafficking and explains in detail the implications of each of the standards and measures, including key challenges in their implementation and examples of good practice
• specific tools for a broad range of practitioners: includes checklists to assist in dealing with child victims of trafficking, and is specifically relevant to professionals in direct contact with children at risk and/or trafficked children
• relevant international and regional human rights standards and instruments: contains the text of the UNICEF guidelines, and examples of national and bilateral coordination mechanisms and agreements on the protection of child victims of trafficking.
  

This guide is relevant for governments, organisations, and other advocates seeking to develop and implement effective policies and specific actions to prevent child trafficking and protecting victims.

(http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/UNICEF_Child_Trafficking_low.pdf)

Globalization and the illicit market for human trafficking: an empirical analysis of supply and demand

Human trafficking: what forces affect the demand for trafficked victims?

By: Danailova-Trainor, G & Belser, T
Published by: International Labour Organization (ILO), 2006
Via: Eldis

Human trafficking has been identified as a form of modern slavery, as a threat to human security, and as one of the greatest human rights challenges of our time. But while there is an increasing body of literature on different aspects of human trafficking, so far there has not been any more rigorous empirical work on the forces affecting the market for trafficked victims (TV). This paper makes a contribution towards filling this gap by developing largely ad hoc models of demand and supply of TV.

The authors use data on trafficking collected from open sources by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and determine the explanatory variables by a study of the literature, data availability in countries of origin and destination and by experimentation. The focus is on cross-border trafficking as a manifestation of trans-national criminal activities and as a consequence of the deep social and economic differences that characterise countries.

Key findings include that prostitution incidence and openness - including the permeability of borders - in countries of destination affect the demand for TV in the destination countries. Female youth unemployment also plays a significant role in fueling the supply of TV. Policies that focus on addressing these underlying factors of human trafficking could have an important impact on the market, in addition to the protection and prevention of TV. However, the authors have not examined the link between legalisation of prostitution and prostitution incidence, and have not found any correlation between legalised prostitution and trafficking.

The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of future data collection and estimation of trafficking flows.

(http://www.ilo.org/dyn/declaris/DECLARATIONWEB.DOWNLOAD_BLOB?Var_
DocumentID=6676)

Human trafficking to Australia

A research challenge

By: Putt, J
Published in: Trends & Issues in cime and criminal justice. No. 338, June 2007
Via: Docuticker

We know that for some crimes, like human trafficking, it is difficult to secure prosecutions. It is also the case that these kind of crimes are difficult to detect. Human trafficking presents different challenges from domestic crimes, like sexual assault, because of its often transnational nature and the potential involvement of a network of facilitators in a number of countries. Extreme caution should be exercised in extrapolating from the under-reporting of domestic crimes to transnational crimes, as Australia enjoys the natural protection provided by being both an island and geographically remote and has extensive border protection mechanisms. This paper argues that we need to be aware of trends, internationally and in the region, to ensure we have early warning of activities that could impact on the level and type of trafficking to Australia, and to ensure we are providing the most effective responses to prevent and detect trafficking. This paper provides an overview of the challenges involved in obtaining reliable information on the trafficking process. (http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi2/tandi338.pdf)