CONCEPT OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Concept of Human Trafficking

Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. UNODC, as guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocols thereto, assists States in their efforts to implement the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Trafficking in Persons Protocol).

Article 3, paragraph (a) of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines Trafficking in Persons as 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. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs

Elements of Human Trafficking

On the basis of the definition given in the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, it is evident that trafficking in persons has three constituent elements;

The Act (What is done) Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons.

The Means (How it is done) Threat or use of force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or vulnerability, or giving payments or benefits to a person in control of the victim

The Purpose (Why it is done) For the purpose of exploitation, which includes exploiting the prostitution of others, sexual exploitation, forced labour, slavery or similar practices and the removal of organs.

To ascertain whether a particular circumstance constitutes trafficking in persons, consider the definition of trafficking in the Trafficking in Persons Protocol and the constituent elements of the offense, as defined by relevant domestic legislation.

 Criminalization of Human Trafficking

The definition contained in article 3 of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol is meant to provide consistency and consensus around the world on the phenomenon of trafficking in persons. Article 5 therefore requires that the conduct set out in article 3 be criminalized in domestic legislation. Domestic legislation does not need to follow the language of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol precisely, but should be adapted in accordance with domestic legal systems to give effect to the concepts contained in the Protocol.

In addition to the criminalization of trafficking, the Trafficking in Persons Protocol requires criminalization also of:

• Attempts to commit a trafficking offence
• Participation as an accomplice in such an offence
• Organizing or directing others to commit trafficking.
• Occurs both across borders and within a country (not just cross-border).
• Is for a range of exploitative purposes (not just sexual exploitation).

Victimizes children, women and men (Not just women, or adults, but also men and children). Takes place with or without the involvement of organized crime groups.

Factors Responsible for Children and Women Trafficking in Nigeria

1. Lack of employment opportunity: The economic system of some countries have left many people jobless. Those that are desperate thereby get lured and deceived by traffickers because they want to get out of the country by all means.
2. Extreme greed for wealth: Some people want to amass great wealth or get rich quick. They end up in the hands of traffickers.
3. Poor economic system: This may cause citizens to want to travel abroad for better standard of living.
4. Unwholesome business gains: Trafficking has somehow become a massive business industry in the world, thereby luring individuals with criminal minds to join.
5. Low self esteem: Some people do not have self esteem either they are not educated (illiterates) or want to have a better life or they may end up leaving the country by all means possible.
6. The search for greener pasture: Some people believe that travelling abroad is the only ways one can make ends meet in all aspects of life.
7. Poverty: Some families with large number of children maybe poor and might not be able to cater for all the needs of their children. They end up giving out some of their children to people as maids and this way some of their children may fall into the hands of traffickers.

Consequences of Trafficking of Children and Women

1. Human and Social effects
2. Sexual Abuse
3. Health Risk in Women Adolescents
4. Psychological Trauma
5. Stigmatisation
6. Effect on population growth
7. Modern Slavery
8. Illegal Immigrants

The victims in the process of trafficking in persons are abused and exploited in specific conditions, which may result in short-term and long-term minor and severe psychological and physical injuries, diseases and infections, especially sexually transmitted diseases or HIV viruses and sometimes this can go to the extreme and result even with permanent disability and death. Any symptoms like: anxiety, depression, alienation, disorientation, aggression and difficulties in concentration are direct consequences of the long-term and repeated traumatic experiences that victims suffered during the process of trafficking in persons.

Reference

"Nigeria". Trafficking in Persons Report 2010. U.S. Department of State (June 14, 2010).   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

Trafficking in Persons Report 2017: Tier Placements". www.state.gov  Retrieved 2017-12-01.

Jedy-Agba: Ambassador Entwistle Speech for Reception in Honour of NAPTIP Executive Secretary Beatrice Jedy-Agba (July 15, 2014), 15 July 2015, Nigerian Embassy in the USA, Retrieved 7 February 2016.

"Group Trains 65 Anti-human Trafficking Campaigners - International Centre for Investigative Reporting". 7 December 2015.