Research Work On Human Trafficking

By Oburoh Roli Hazel

This books is a research work from different materials duely acknowledged. The focus is to expose the ills of human trafficking in the hope of timely intervention.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Floreat Systems
• Release date: Apr 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222043050

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

1.1       Introduction

The international trafficking in persons– particularly women and children – for the purpose of sexual exploitation (including prostitution and pornography, forced labour, in extreme cases ritual sacrifice and organ harvesting) has emerged as a complex phenomenon and a fast-growing global problem. The international trafficking in persons evolved to replace the ancient slave trade. Over the years, the trade has become more sophisticated given the effects of globalization and improved mobile communication.¹

Trafficking in persons is not a discrete act but it is a process, which takes three stages – recruitment, transportation or migration and finally exploitation. By necessary implication there are source, transit and destination countries and its own set of facilitators; popularly known as ‘’agents’’. Trafficked persons are brought into conditions in which their basic human rights are violated. ²They are at the risks of death, sexually transmitted diseases, abandonment in en route destination countries, deportation and even criminalization. Traffickers generally operate at a very low level of risk as they do not have to bother about exposure. Often, victims, especially those from Nigeria, are made to take oath of secrecy and engage in fetish rituals which are aimed at instilling the fear of death or metaphysical torments on the victim thereby preventing them from giving away the traffickers.

The Pacific and Atlantic Ocean and the desert plains of Africa Transit countries are all graveyards for thousands of victims who did not make it for one reason or the other to their destination. Their unsuccessful attempt can be attributed to bad weather conditions, overcrowding in the travel vessels or deliberate attempt by traffickers to lose them enroute for fear of being intercepted by security authorities, clashes with coastal guards and accidents such as boat mishaps. Young and underage victim stand the most risk.³

A victim of trafficking in persons, can seek redress through a legal procedure or those persons assisting police and prosecutors with their inquiries. A victim has certain rights during the justice process. These rights are as follows, firstly, ensuring that victims of human trafficking have an enforceable right to fair and adequate remedies, including the means to full rehabilitation, if possible. These remedies may be criminal, civil or administrative in nature. Secondly, providing information as well as legal and other assistance to enable trafficked persons to access remedies. The procedures for obtaining remedies should be clearly explained in a language that the trafficked person understands. Thirdly, making arrangements to enable the trafficked persons to remain safe in the country in which the remedy is sought, for the duration of any criminal, civil or administrative proceedings. Furthermore, trafficked persons include all people who have been trafficked, regardless of whether they come into contact with the legal system or whether they wish to seek Justice in their cases. Trafficked persons could be men, women and children - trafficked within Nigeria or Abroad or citizens of other countries trafficked into Nigeria. All are lured by their hopes for a better life, in their ability to support their family with higher earnings.

Trafficking is understood as both human rights violation and a crime against persons. Consequently, victims of trafficking should be empowered, not victimized, by the justice process for them to have more confidence to live. If trafficked persons have more confidence in their justice system, they will be more likely to testify and the overall goals of reducing crime and ending impunity will be advanced. It is sad to note however, that this is not the case⁴.

While international awareness about the phenomenon seems to be increasing, the problem, far from abating, has assumed the character of an international organized crime which poses a threat to the human race like the HIV/AIDS scourge. Trafficking in humans, as a crime not, only constitutes a breach of the fundamental Rights and liberties of the victims, it also destroys the essence of their humanity, and must, therefore, be tackled as such.

1.2       OBJECTIVES

This research aims at improving the existing level of information on trafficking in human beings in Nigeria, for the purpose of providing a tool for better policy planning and action. Based upon the information generated from the objectives identified below, it is hoped that the formulation of recommendations will result in improved victim protection as well as strengthening joint action against transnational organized criminal aspects of trafficking in human beings.

1.3      AIMS

The aim of this study is sevenfold;

Identify areas of recruitment and the trafficking flow from Nigeria, Benin City especially to various destination countries.

Describe trafficking patterns to include modus operandi of recruitment, transportation, deception, coercion, and exploitation.

Provide demographical information on victims and their experiences.

Provide information on the involvement of criminal and/or organized criminal groups in the trafficking in human beings from Nigeria, Benin City, especially.

Identify governmental agencies and non-governmental agencies involved in anti-trafficking initiative in the country; their responds to trafficking; and suggestions for good instruments for successful intervention against trafficking.

Analyze critically the loopholes in the provisions available to combat the crime of trafficking in persons and the cooperation between agencies within the country and between countries and the challenges and recommendation for good practices.

Provide recommendation for the purpose of assisting governments and NGOs to strengthen national and international cooperation and approaches to fighting trafficking in human beings in their respective countries and the West African region.

1.4      STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

The recent trend in the society as to the resurrection of slavery is alarming. The trafficking of humans has become what many scholars have identified as modern-day slavery. It has impacted hundreds of thousands of people globally and is a crime that violates the rights of women and children, who are already vulnerable. The trafficker appears with the disguise of assisting the less privileged in their midst with the interior motive of exploiting these unsuspecting victims. These victims are dehumanized and, therefore, become traumatized and loss their self-dignity.

Sex trafficking is growing in size faster than any other trade system. Sex trafficking consists of