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)

Trafficking in persons interim assessment

Published by: U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, 2007
Via: Docuticker

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, passed by the Congress and signed into law by the President in December 2003, requires the Department of State to submit to the Congress an Interim Assessment of the progress made in combating trafficking in persons (TIP) by those countries placed on the Special Watch List in September 2006. The evaluation period covers the six months since the release of the June 2006 annual report.

This year, 39 countries are on the Special Watch List. These countries either (1) had moved up a tier in the 2006 TIP Report over the last year’s Report, or (2) were ranked on Tier 2 in the 2006 TIP Report, but (a) had failed to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat TIP from the previous year, (b) were placed on Tier 2 because of commitments to carry out additional future actions over the coming year, or (c) had a significant or significantly increasing number of trafficking victims. Thirty-four of the 39 countries on the Special Watch List are in the second category–ranked as Tier 2 Watch List–including two countries initially ranked as Tier 3 in the June 2006 TIP Report, but reassessed as Tier 2 Watch List countries by the State Department in September 2006 (Belize and Laos). Attached to this Interim Assessment is an overview of the tier process.

Holliday Season!

Dear Readers

Yet another year has flown by. And it was a busy year indeed! I am going to take a well-deserved break, and will start posting again at breakneck speed in the New Year.

I hope that Gender Focus and its sister blogs have been of some help to you, and will continue to do so in the future. So look forward to a bumper crop of posts early in January 2007, as I will endeavor to bring you all up to speed with what has been happening over the holiday season.

Have a great time, and a Happy New Year!

Migration, human smuggling and trafficking from Nigeria to Europe

Looking at migration through the lens of Nigerian culture

By: Carling J
Published by: Noragric, Department of International Environment and Development Studies, Norwegian University of Life Sciences , 2006
Via: Eldis

This report contextualises the problems of migration, human smuggling and trafficking from Nigeria to Europe, focusing on cultural and social implications both within Europe and Nigeria. Some of the topics covered include:

• what is it about Nigeria: ethnic groups, regional and religious differences; gender and sexuality, trafficking in the region
• leaving Nigeria: hopes and opportunities; emigration and prostitution
• entering Europe: migration routes and transit stays; asylum application as a foothold
• Nigerians in Europe

The paper concludes that to understand the dynamics of Nigerian trafficking, various factors need to be taken into account. For example, many potential migrants enter into an emigration pact, which is perceived as a strongly binding agreement between two parties. This is sealed by religious rituals, as well as by the relation to the local community in Nigeria.

Trafficking in human beings and the 2006 World Cup in Germany

Draft Report

By: Hennig J, Craggs S, Larsson F & Laczko F
Published by: International Organization for Migraion (IOM), SIDA. September 2006

Prior to the World Cup in Germany in 2006, there was considerable international concern that this event would contribute to a sharp increase in trafficking for sexual exploitation. Media reports suggested that prostitution would increase and that up to 40,000 women might be trafficked. This report investigates whether the number of victims of human trafficking (VoT) for sexual exploitation increased during the World Cup 2006 in Germany. The study also examines the measures taken by the authorities and NGO community in Germany, before and during the World Cup to prevent human trafficking.

The study was conducted between June and September 2006. Research included a systematic review of media and statistical sources, an analysis of previous large-scale events and their impact on trafficking, and in-depth interviews with representatives of key agencies responsible for combating human trafficking in Germany. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted in total; with six experts from the relevant departments of German Länder Criminal Police Offices or the City Police Offices of selected World Cup Cities and ten in-depth expert interviews with civil society organisations (street work and assistance to victims of THB). In addition to the analysis of the situation in Germany, information on trends in connection with the World Cup was gathered in cooperation with IOM missions

Poverty, gender and human trafficking in sub-Saharan Africa

Rethinking best practices in migration management

By: Truong TD
Published by: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) , 2006
Via: Eldis

This report critically analyses the linkages between poverty, gender and human trafficking in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The report asserts that poverty is one of the primary factors that cause people, particularly women and children, to become victims of trafficking. And because human trafficking keeps victims in poverty, a vicious circle of poverty-human trafficking-poverty is perpetuated. The author also states that even though human trafficking is currently a priority issue for many governments, it remains a subject that is poorly understood, and there is a dearth of information on the magnitude of the problem. Also, knowledge about the intersection between migration and trafficking has not yet brought about any consensus on the underlying forces and their implications for the wellbeing of children and women.

In addressing this issue, the report provides a gender critique of Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs), which reveal how the lack of consensus on the relation between economic growth and poverty renders choices in collective action more vulnerable to error. This gender critique also highlights the negative effect of the dismantling of the care domain on livelihood systems in SSA, and how it exacerbates the pressure to migrate.

Also, the reports highlights a number of practices by organisations participating in the research, to point out how practices of migration management can benefit from a more holistic approach – one which addresses a broad set of overlapping livelihood systems. The organisations’ profiles, strengths, weaknesses, their understanding of trafficking and the replicability of their methods are presented.

Toolkit to combat trafficking in Persons

Global programme against trafficking in Human Beings

Published by: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2006
Via: Docuticker

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime today launched a toolkit to help Governments, policy-makers, law enforcement agencies and NGOs tackle human trafficking more effectively.
It contains practical tools for police and other law enforcement officers such as a checklist to help identify trafficking victims as well guidance on interviewing victims and victim protection.

The toolkit also outlines key aspects of a comprehensive response to human trafficking, such as the need to bring national legislation into line with international standards and strengthen international cooperation in criminal justice, including the extradition of criminals, seizure of assets and confiscation of the proceeds of crime.

UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa said robust international collaboration was essential in fighting trafficking. “Traffickers make a mockery of national borders. International cooperation is the basic condition for a successful response to human trafficking,” he said.

A profile of the world's young developing country migrants

Backround paper to the 2007 World Development Report

By: McKenzie, David J
Published by: World bank, 2006
Via: Docuticker

The paper uses individual level census and household survey data to present a rich profile of the young developing migrants around the world. Youth are found to comprise a large share of all migrants, particularly in migration to other developing countries, with the probability of migration peaking in the late teens or early twenties. The paper examines in detail the age and gender composition of migrants, whether young migrants move alone or with a parent or spouse, their participation in schooling and work in the destination country, the types of jobs they do, and the age of return migration.

The results suggest a high degree of commonality in the youth migrant experience across a number of destination countries. In particular, developing country youth tend to work in similar occupations all around the world, and are more concentrated in these occupations than older migrants or native youth. Nevertheless, there is also considerable heterogeneity among youth migrants: 29 percent of 18 to 24 year olds are attending school in their destination country, but another 29 percent are not working or in school. This illustrates both the potential of migration for building human capital, and the fear that lack of integration prevents it from being used.

Female Migrants: bridging the gaps throughout the life cycle

Selected papers of the UNFPA-IOM Expert Group Meeting, New York, 2-3- May 2006

Published by: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 2006
Via: Eldis

This is a collection of papers that came out of an expert group meeting organised by the UNFPA and IOM meeting on 2-3 May 2006 entitled “Female migrants: bridging the gaps throughout the life cycle”. The aim was to formulate a set of recommendations for action by governments, international organisations and civil society, as a contribution to the High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development to mainstream female migrants’ needs and rights into the agenda.

Various issues were discussed at the meeting, including the growing numbers of women migrants and the contribution they are playing in maintaining their families through remittances and the empowering potential of migration, and the negative aspects associated with migration, including trafficking and exploitation.

New in the Library

Getting to grips with trafficking
Reflections on human trafficking research in South Africa
ISS Monograph no. 123
By: Robyn Pharoah
Published by: Institute for Security studies, 2006
In this monograph the author presents an objective overview of what we know and what we dont know about human trafficking in South Africa and suggests the kinds of research which could be undertaken to fill the knowledge gap.

Focus 2006: crossing borders

Multilateral treaty framework: an invitation to universal participation

Published by: United Nations, 2006
Via: UNPulse

Focus 2006: Crossing Borders (full text), a book about treaties being specially promoted for signature and ratification this year at September's High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development (Web site), is now online. The 30 treaties covered in the 156-page book, in French and English, cover a broad spectrum of migration-related issues: refugees and stateless persons; migrant workers and human rights; human security and trafficking in persons, and firearms; sustainable development, food security and ecological migration; and disarmament and State security. The book summarizes the objectives and key provisions of each treaty and, lists the Member States who had signed and ratified each as of 1 March 2006.

Trafficking in persons

Global patterns

Published by: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), April 2006
Via: UNODC

The fact that slavery - in the form of human trafficking - still exists in the 21st century shames us all. Governments, international organizations and civil society are devoting considerable efforts to counter it, but there is still an information deficit about the extent of this tragedy. Only by understanding its depth, breadth and scope can we design policies to fight it. This understanding still eludes us: efforts to counter trafficking have so far been uncoordinated and inefficient. This Report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is our first attempt to close the knowledge gap

Trafficking in persons report 2006

Best practices for implementing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)

Published by: US Department of State , 2006
Via: Eldis

This report is the sixth annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report issued by the US Department of State, aimed to assist the elimination of severe forms of TIP. In assessing foreign governments’ efforts, the TIP Report highlights the “three P’s”— prosecution, protection, and prevention. A victim-centred approach to trafficking is also used which equally to addresses the “three R’s”— rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

The report also outlines best practices for implementing the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) amended in 2000.

Trafficking in persons - Global patterns

Human Trafficking

Published by: Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), 2006
Via: UN Pulse

Virtually no country in the world is unaffected by the crime of human trafficking for sexual exploitation or forced labour, a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released on the 24th of April shows. The report on Trafficking In Persons: Global Patterns (full text) identifies 127 countries of origin, 98 transit countries and 137 destination countries. It shows that global efforts to combat trafficking are being hampered by a lack of accurate data, reflecting the unwillingness of some countries to acknowledge that the problem affects them.

Report on activities to combat human trafficking, Fiscal years 2001-2005

Combating Human Trafficking

Published by: U.S. Department of Justice, 2006
Via: ResoureShelf's DocuTicker

This report summarizes the Department's work during the fiscal years 2001-2005. Some of the accomplishments mentioned include an increase in prosecutions by more than 300%. Nearly 1000 human trafficking victims have been assisted, and since 2004, the Department has awarded grants totaling, more than $30 million to institute 32 multi-disciplinary anti-human trafficking task forces and 21 victim service providers in communities across the nation.