Regime Case Study Outline: Human Trafficking

I. Despite the fact that human trafficking is largely shrouded in mystery, its

definition is fairly straightforward as far as the global community is concerned.

A. According to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC),

Article 3, paragraph (a) of the Protocol to Prevent , Suppress, and Punish

Trafficking in Persons provides the following definition of human

trafficking:

the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt

of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other

forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the

abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the

giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the

consent of a person having control over another person, for

the purpose of exploitation. (“Human Trafficking”)

1. Based on this definition, human trafficking has three key

elements: the recruitment or transportation of people; the use of

threats, force, or other coercive acts to facilitate the trafficking;

and the main purpose of exploitation.

2. Many victims of human trafficking are exploited sexually or

through forced labor (“Human Trafficking FAQs”).

B. This definition appears to be widely accepted, but there are a few scholars

who disagree with this definition, particularly in how it relates to

prostitution.
 1. Scholar Kamala Kempadoo postulates that this definition creates a

framework wherein “[m]igrant women and sex workers, as agents

who may consciously and willingly cross borders in undocumented

status... are classified as... ‘sex slaves’ or ‘trafficked victims’”

(Kempadoo xiv).

2. Kempadoo and scholars like her suggest that this framework is

based on anti-immigration and anti-prostitution rhetoric that only

intensifies the policing of women’s bodies and “the cross-border

flows of people” (Kempadoo xv).

II. Although it is largely hidden, human trafficking is a widespread epidemic that

effects nearly every country on Earth.

A. In the year 2016, the UN identified 21, 251 victims of human trafficking

worldwide (“Global Report on Human Trafficking, 2016”).

1. Unfortunately, the International Labor Organization (ILO)

suggests that many of these victims go undetected, suggesting that

there were approximately 20.9 million victims of human

trafficking in the private economy and the sex industry in 2012

(“New ILO Global Estimate of Forced Labor: 20.9 Million

Victims”).

2. The ILO also estimates that the industry surrounding human

trafficking generates $150 billion annually worldwide and across

industries (“ILO Says Forced Labour Generates Annual Profits of

US$ 150 Billion”).

 3. Finally, the United States Department of Labor identified 139

goods coming from 75 countries that had been produced by child

or forced labor, including crops, furniture, and clothing, in 2016

(Bureau of International Labor Affairs).

B. Sadly, human trafficking persists in almost every region in the world, as

supported by UNODC data.

1. Because Europe is often though of as a member of the “developed

world,” many people would likely be surprised to discover that

15, 200 victims were detected in Western and Southern Europe,

with 56% of those victims being women (“Global Report on

Human Trafficking, 2016).

2. While the majority of these victims are sexually exploited, there is

an emerging trend of forced labor in Europe, comprising 30% of

the victims detected between 2012 and 2014 (“Global Report on

Human Trafficking, 2016).

3. While women are primarily exploited in Western Europe, 53% of

victims in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are men; additionally,

there is a growing trend of trafficking from poorer countries into

richer countries (“Global Report on Human Trafficking, 2016).

4. Finally, while many may believe that the U.S. is untouched by

human trafficking, a human trafficking cult, NXIVM, was just

uncovered recently that comprised a rotating group of fifteen to

 twenty women who were exploited sexually as well as being

subjected to torturous practices such as branding (Sacks).

III. Although the prevalence of human trafficking might create the appearance of

laxness, there are actually quite a few global laws, both hard and soft, that attempt

to curtail the practice.

A. For example, the UN adopted the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and

Punish the Trafficking of Persons, especially Women and Children in

2003, which created the legally binding definition of trafficking and

helped to unify the international approach to identifying and prosecuting

traffickers (“United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized

Crime and the Protocols Thereto”).

B. Many soft law principles and guidelines also impact human trafficking,

including:

The Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and

Human Trafficking; guidelines on child trafficking, issued by the

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and on trafficking and

asylum, issued by the Office of the United Nations High

Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); resolutions adopted by the

General Assembly and the Human Rights Council; findings and

reports of international human mechanisms such as treaty bodies and

special procedures; and non-treaty agreements between countries

regarding issues such as the repatriation and reintegration of

trafficked persons. (“Human Rights and Human Trafficking”)

IV. Because it is such an incredibly widespread issue, many global governance actors

are currently working on combatting human trafficking in its many forms.

A. IGOs form an incredibly important part of this framework, as indicated by

the research referenced throughout this report.

1. The UN, specifically, UNODC, provides almost all of the UN

information regarding human trafficking and is active in its study

as well as creating legal standards surrounding the issue (“Human

Trafficking”).

2. The UN also plays a role in detecting human trafficking and

policing its practice, as evidenced by their recent activity in

Uganda (Agence France-Presse).

3. Additionally, other IGOs, such as the ILO, provide important

information regarding the ways in which human trafficking

impacts labor worldwide, including how much money the practice

generates and the amount of victims (“ILO Says Forced Labour

Generates Annual Profits Of US$ 150 Billion”).

4. Finally, regional IGOs including the African Union work to

address trafficking in their areas through campaigns like

AU.COMMIT, which led to the implementation of the

Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human

Beings Especially Women and Children and other protocols that

address trafficking in Africa (“AU.Commit Campaign: When the

Fight Against Trafficking Becomes a Priority for Africa”).

B. When it comes to human trafficking, NGOs work closely with IGOs and

state governments, providing aid to victims of trafficking while also

lobbying for improved legislation regarding the practice.

1. One such NGO is Unlikely Heroes, a non-profit working in the

United States, Mexico, Thailand, and the Philippines to free

children from trafficking; they also provide safe housing,

education, medical care, and rehabilitation services to each child

they rescue (“Unlikely Heroes”).

2. Anti-Slavery International is another NGO that works heavily

with human trafficking, with an apparent focus on lobbying; for

example, in the past, they have provided recommendations to the

Indian government for improvements to their legislation

surrounding human trafficking (“Trafficking of Persons

(Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2016.”).

3. Finally, the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women serves

victims of trafficking in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and

North America by providing aid, education, advocacy, and

lobbying, with the ultimate goal of ending all trafficking

(“Projects and Campaigns”).

C. Although IGOs and NGOs definitely play pivotal roles in combatting

human trafficking, other Global Governance actors, particularly

multinational corporations, also contribute to this regime.

 1. The multinational corporation Marriott International, for example,

has collaborated with ECPAT-USA to support responsible

tourism and has begun providing its employees with training to

recognize human trafficking that may be occurring in their hotels

(“ECPAT-USA and Marriott International Announce New

Partnership to Protect Children From Trafficking”).

2. Additionally, Cisco, also a multinational corporation, has

implemented a number of policies to ensure that none of their

labor comes from trafficked persons, including investigating

material suppliers, adopting a Global Human Rights policy based

on UN and ILO frameworks, and employee trainings (Jacoby and

Shaver).

V. Although the outlook may seem grim, there are many exciting projects on the

horizon for the human trafficking regime.

A. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 is as follows: “Take

immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern

slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination

of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child

soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms” (“Transforming

Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”).

1.This cements human trafficking as a priority for leaders in states

across the globe as well as highlighting the issue on a global

platform.
 2. With the set goal of ending child labour by 2025, NGOs, IGOs,

and other actors have a measurable goal, which will help to guide

their work and increase the urgency around eradicating trafficking.

B. Additionally, Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in

Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT) is a joint initiative on

the part of the UN and the European Union lasting from 2015-2019; the

project has €11 million of funding (“GLO.ACT Overview”).

1. GLO.ACT is currently active in thirteen target countries,

addressing Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants

through preventative campaigns, protection of vulnerable

immigrants, prosecution, and partnerships (“GLO.ACT Overview”).

2. This initiative aims to address current weaknesses in human

trafficking legislation and support targeted countries as they strive to

meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 8.7

(“GLO.ACT Overview”).

C. Finally, scholars at University of Southern California suggest that major

breakthroughs are coming in terms of human trafficking and technology

(“Future Action for Trafficking and Technology”).

1. As a great deal of human trafficking occurs on the dark web, the

scholars suggest that technological companies in the private sector

create industry-wide standards for combatting trafficking online

(“Future Action for Trafficking and Technology”).

 2.There are also suggestions that some social media platforms could

be used to create a framework to “identify and assist potential

victims or potential runaways” (“Future Action for Trafficking and

Technology”).

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