Prohibition of Traffic in Human Beings and Forced Labour
Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime that affects millions of people around the world. It is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of 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.
Forced labour is defined as all work or service which is extracted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.
Both trafficking in human beings and forced labour are prohibited by international law. The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 29 on Forced Labour, 1930, are the two main international instruments that address these crimes.
The UNTOC defines trafficking in human beings as a serious crime that affects transnational organized crime. The Convention requires States Parties to criminalize trafficking in human beings and to take measures to prevent, investigate, prosecute and punish trafficking offences.
The ILO Convention No. 29 on Forced Labour, 1930, defines forced labour as all work or service which is extracted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily. The Convention prohibits all forms of forced labour, including slavery, servitude, forced marriage and the use of children in armed conflict.
States Parties to the ILO Convention No. 29 are required to take measures to abolish forced labour and to provide protection for victims of forced labour.
In addition to the UNTOC and the ILO Convention No. 29, there are a number of other international instruments that address trafficking in human beings and forced labour. These include the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol); the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings; and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
These international instruments provide a framework for States to take action to prevent, investigate, prosecute and punish trafficking offences. They also provide for the protection of victims of trafficking.
The Impact of Trafficking in Human Beings and Forced Labour
Trafficking in human beings and forced labour have a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities. Victims of trafficking are often subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse. They may also be forced to work in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. Trafficking in human beings and forced labour can also lead to debt bondage, social exclusion and discrimination.
The economic impact of trafficking in human beings and forced labour is also significant. The World Bank estimates that the global profits from human trafficking are worth \$150 billion per year. This money is often used to fund other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and terrorism.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings and Forced Labour?
There are a number of things that can be done to prevent trafficking in human beings and forced labour. These include:
- Raising awareness of the problem of trafficking in human beings and forced labour
- Strengthening border controls
- Providing support for victims of trafficking
- Promoting economic development
- Addressing the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty and inequality
Conclusion
Trafficking in human beings and forced labour are serious crimes that have a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities. There are a number of things that can be done to prevent these crimes, including raising awareness, strengthening border controls, providing support for victims and addressing the root causes of trafficking.