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Trafficking in human beings is a modern form of slavery, a serious crime and a severe violation of fundamental human rights and reduces people to a state of dependency via threats, violence and humiliation
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Together Against Trafficking in Human Beings webpage; Migration and Home Affaires
Study on demand reduction measures to combat trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labour exploitation through the engagement of the private sector by
A study by Professor Zbigniew Lasocik, commissioned in the framework of the project “Improving Poland’s Capacity to Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings” funded by the Norway Grants Financial Mechanism and implemented by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration with the Council of Europe.
Excluded but Fighting: Where Are the Voices of Sex Workers and Their Allies in EU Anti-Trafficking Policymaking?; Irena Ferčíková Konečná; Social sciences (Basel); 2024-03; Volume 13; Issue 3, pp.148; Article 148
The ‘end demand’ approach to prostitution has been popping up in Europe through the anti-trafficking debate and receives increasing attention on the international agenda. It is well recognized that improving workers’ rights, increasing unionization and collective bargaining coverage are effective strategies for tackling trafficking. However, with regard to sexual exploitation, focus is not on these strategies but instead on the abolition of the entire sex industry with the help of criminal justice systems. In first decade after the Palermo Protocol (2000), international organizations (IGOs) promoted a human rights-based approach to tackling trafficking, aiming to balance the criminal justice focus of the protocol. This work guided states on how to maintain and protect human rights while combating human trafficking. (...)
The European Union Fight against Trafficking of Human Beings: Challenges of the Victim’s Statute; Maria Esther Jordana Santiago; Paix et sécurité internationales; 2020; Issue 8; pp. 467-493
The fight against trafficking in human beings poses several challenges. The introduction of the human rights approach in this area requires victim protection measures. Faced with this challenge, the European Union has opted for the introduction of different measures through Directive 2011/36/EU. This instrument complements the international framework provided by the Palermo Protocol on trafficking and the Warsaw Convention. The study of some of the provisions of these instruments should help to determine whether EU regulation is truly an advance in the protection of victims of trafficking.
Toward effective protection of victims of human trafficking in mixed migration flows: referral mechanisms shaped on individual need. The Italian experience and the European perspective; Francesca Nicodemi, Chiara Cirillo; Frontiers in human dynamics, 2024-10; Volume 6
An overview of emerging trends on trafficking of human beings in Italy shows not only an extremely heterogeneous phenomenon but also a complex overlapping of experiences and need of protection of every single victim. In the context of mixed migration flows, persons reaching Italy through the Central Mediterranean and the Balkan routes have often experienced or are at risk of trafficking, and they also apply for international protection upon arrival. Legal categories such as “victims,” “asylum seekers,” and “refugees” are increasingly interconnected and not exhaustive in describing individual experiences and multifaceted vulnerabilities. Against this background, ensuring early identification and assistance for victims of trafficking among asylum seekers is extremely relevant. In Italy, this has led to the development of good practices aimed at implementing the coordination between the asylum and the anti-trafficking systems. In particular, specific Guidelines for Asylum authorities have been adopted to preliminarily identify potential victims of trafficking within the asylum procedure and enable their effective access to protection measures. To comply with specific provisions of the European Trafficking Directive and its transposition into the Italian legal framework, the Guidelines have created a referral mechanism among the asylum authorities and the anti-trafficking system that is unique in the European context. (…)
Hong Kong anti-human trafficking framework: what lessons can be learned from Europe?; Noble Po-Kan Lo; Frontiers in sociology; 2024-09; Volume 9; p.1395907
This article examines the regulatory framework related to human trafficking in Hong Kong and identifies its deficiencies as the lack of an accepted internationally compliant definition of trafficking and the absence of any specific criminal offence of trafficking as a result. The article compares the approach taken in Hong Kong to efforts undertaken in Europe by the Council of Europe, the UK, and the European Union and identifies several lessons from the European experience that could help rectify failures observed in Hong Kong. In particular, effective combatting of human trafficking requires not only a definition of the offence that recognises the essential elements-an "act," a "means," and a "purpose" of exploitation-but also the establishment of sufficient state institutions and agencies dedicated to identifying and protecting trafficking victims. Without the detection of trafficking victims, criminals engaged in the act of trafficking perceive their chances of being caught and prosecuted as low and operate with impunity. This necessitates the adoption of a consistent and readily identifiable criminal offence of "trafficking" aligned with the approach taken by the Palermo Protocol, just as the EU and UK have done.
Understanding EU action against human trafficking; Martina Prpic; EPRS; Briefing; 2023
In December 2022, the European Commission presented a proposal to review Directive 2011/36/EU to strengthen the rules on combating trafficking in human beings and to better protect victims. Despite some progress achieved in recent years, it is estimated that over 7 000 people become victims of human trafficking in the EU on an annual basis, although the figure could be much higher because many victims remain undetected. Human trafficking is not only a serious and borderless crime, but also a lucrative business, driven by demand for sexual (and other) services. Criminals exploit vulnerable people (increasingly children), making high profits and taking relatively low risks. Vulnerability can result from a whole range of factors, including socio-economic ones, and migrants are a particularly vulnerable group. Gender also plays an important part, as women and men are not trafficked in the same way or for the same purpose. Women and girls represent a disproportionately high number of victims, both globally and at EU level, especially in terms of sexual exploitation. This form of exploitation is still dominant in the EU, even though other forms are on the rise, such as exploitation for forced labour and for criminal activities. The COVID 19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have brought new challenges for victims, as well as amplifying the vulnerabilities of those most at risk. Traffickers – like legal businesses – have increasingly moved to digital modi operandi. In its efforts to eradicate human trafficking, the EU has not only created a legal framework, comprising an anti-trafficking directive and instruments to protect victims' rights and prevent labour exploitation; it has also put in place an operational cooperation network involving decentralised EU agencies, including Europol, Eurojust, CEPOL and Frontex (…)
Anti-trafficking in human beings; Veronique Girard; EPRS; Briefing; 2023
This IA supports the proposal for a revision of the 2011 Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. Overall, it provides a complete and detailed explanation of the problem, of its scope, drivers, and of the need to take EU-level action. It is well-substantiated and relies on the evaluation of the directive conducted in parallel with the IA, stakeholder feedback, comprehensive desk research and recent data from Eurostat. The IA is also transparent on the limits of the data it uses, which is coherent with the specific objective of the proposal to improve detection and monitoring of trafficking in human beings. The IA considers security, social, economic and fundamental rights impacts, but does not discuss relations or cooperation with third countries, which could be relevant due to trafficking's cross-border nature. The construction of policy options appears to offer a very limited range of genuine alternatives, mainly sub-options that are not systematically compared. Finally, the quantitative cost-benefit analysis would have benefited from inclusion of an assessment of the policy options' impact on the number of law-enforcement procedures, and on the number of offences prevented.
Revision of Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims; Marie-Astrid Huemer; EPRS; Briefing; 2023
Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims is the benchmark legislation on the fight against trafficking in human beings (human trafficking) at EU level. It is part of a broader policy framework that entails a range of measures aimed at the prevention and prosecution of trafficking in human beings, as well as protection from and establishment of partnerships against this practice. Despite progress in implementing those measures, trafficking in human beings remains a highly lucrative crime, affecting thousands of individuals, primarily women and girls who are trafficked for sexual exploitation. New digital technologies are widely used to reach out to potential victims and users. Traffickers remain largely unpunished, as do the users of services from victims of trafficking, despite the European Commission and the European Parliament repeatedly calling for the criminalisation of those knowingly using such services. Their impunity has raised increasing concerns about the effectiveness of the directive, and there have been calls for its revision to reinforce existing measures while addressing potential gaps and reducing disparities between EU Member States' systems. This implementation appraisal looks at the practical implementation of the directive in light of the expected Commission proposal for its revision.
European Parliament Think Thank - Human trafficking
The content of all documents contained in the Think Tank website is the sole responsibility of the author and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. It is addressed to the Members and staff of the EP for their parliamentary work.
Legislative Train - Strategy toward eradication of trafficking in human beings
The ‘Legislative Train Schedule’ website – offering a detailed state-of-play on upcoming initiatives, legislative proposals and procedures already finalised, as well as issues blocked or files withdrawn – continues to present new European Commission initiatives using the railway image. The aim is to facilitate the followup by all Members, Parliament staff and a broader public audience of the legislative and non-legislative activity of the EU institutions.
Legislative Observatory: Search result on human trafficking
Welcome to the European Parliament's database for monitoring the EU decision-making process.
EPRS blog - Human trafficking
The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) provides comprehensive research and analytical support to the Members of the European Parliament, its parliamentary committees and the European Parliament as a whole. The EPRS philosophy is to provide independent, objective and authoritative information.
Quinze ans de jurisprudence de la Cour européenne des droits de l’homme sur la traite des êtres humains : de l’affaire Siliadin c. France à l’arrêt de Grande Chambre S.M. c. Croatie; Kristine Plouffe-Malette; Revue québécoise de droit international; 2020; Numéro hors-série; pp. 417–438
La Cour européenne des droits de l’homme a interprété l’article 4 de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme et reconnu une violation de celui-ci depuis une quinzaine d’années. Elle a notamment élargi le champ matériel de cette disposition pour y inclure la traite des êtres humains. Or, elle n’a pas proposé une lecture claire des différentes situations incluses à ce libellé, soit l’esclavage, la servitude, le travail forcé, ainsi que la traite des êtres humains. L’arrêt de Grande Chambre prononcé le 25 juin 2020 a certes offert plusieurs précisions, mais n’a pas totalement dissipé la confusion qui règne entre les problématiques énoncées. Cette contribution offre un bilan de la jurisprudence relative à la violation de l’article 4 et un premier regard sur les conclusions récentes de la Grande Chambre.
Handel ludźmi w II Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej; Dawid Dulak; Poliarchia; 2016, Volume 4; Issue 2 (07); pp. 59-76
Human trafficking beings is considered as one of the most serious and most profitable crime in the world. After the political transformation in the 1990s, Poland is classified as a transit, destination and origin state of victims, but despite the constant presence of danger and its dynamic evolution, knowledge and awareness of history of human trafficking, particularly in Second Polish Republic, remains low. The article outlines the beginnings of human trafficking in the interwar Poland, efforts of state and NGOs in fighting against trafficking, profile of violators and victims, and the mechanisms of recruitment and processes of control assumption over the sufferer.
Repensar la relación entre seguridad y ciudadanía: La regulación europea de la trata de mujeres con fines de explotación sexual como caso de estudio; Lucrecia Rubio Grundell; Internacionalizando la Ciudadanía: Discusiones sobre ciudadanía en Relaciones Internacionales 2017; Issue 35; pp. 53-78
Este articulo parte de la securitización de la trata de mujeres con fines de explotación sexual en la Unión Europea para repensar la relación entre seguridad y ciudadanía. Los estudios críticos de seguridad han comenzado a abordar esta relación recientemente, centrándose en analizar los procesos de securitización de la ciudadanía, así como su uso en procesos de securitización, e identificando la constitución de la comunidad política como el ámbito más claro en el que ambas confluyen. La securitización de la trata, sin embargo, cuenta con tres especificidades que nos obligan a repensar el concepto de ciudadanía, así como su relación con la seguridad: el contexto transnacional en el que tiene lugar, la importancia del género y la sexualidad en los procesos de inclusión y exclusión a los que da lugar, y la existencia de una red transnacional de defensa de las personas trabajadoras del sexo que se sirve del concepto de ciudadanía para luchar contra dicha securitización. El artículo, por tanto, propone introducir tres innovaciones en el marco teórico empleado por los estudios críticos de seguridad para abordar la relación entre seguridad y ciudadanía, adecuándolo así al caso específico de la trata: primero, propone situar dicha relación en el contexto de globalización en el que actualmente opera; segundo, traer a colación los conceptos de ciudadanía sexual y de género, y en particular, el debate surgido en torno a su relación con las prácticas orientalistas e imperialistas de las democracias liberales occidentales; y tercero, recuperar la dimensión ambivalente de la ciudadanía para resaltar su potencial emancipatorio.
El papel de Europol en la lucha contra el tráfico de migrantes y la trata de seres humanos; Cristina Blasi Casagran; Revista de derecho comunitario europeo; 2018; Volume 22; Issue 59; pp. 333-357
Este artículo examina las funciones de Europol según el reciente Reglamento de Europol en la prevención y lucha contra el tráfico de migrantes y la trata de seres humanos. Concretamente, se examinan las tareas de creación de inteligencia por parte de Europol, así como la actuación de esta agencia en los equipos conjuntos de investigación. También se lleva a cabo un análisis de los mecanismos de cooperación de Europol con otras agencias y con las instituciones europeas, con el fin de prevenir este tipo de delitos. Finalmente, este artículo pone de relieve los retos a los que ha tenido que hacer frente Europol a causa del extendido uso de redes sociales en internet por parte de los grupos de delincuencia organizada. Todo ello permitirá determinar si el papel que Europol tiene un valor añadido respecto a las actuaciones de los Estados miembros en el ámbito del tráfico de migrantes y la trata de seres humanos.
PAG-ASA provides support to victims of human trafficking in Belgium, and advocate for the rights of all victims.
The SHERLOC portal is an initiative to facilitate the dissemination of information regarding the implementation of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and in particular the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. it contains:
Council of Europe Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA)
International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) innovative campaign to encourage safe migration and public action to stop exploitation and human trafficking.
Global Data Hub on Human Trafficking
This web portal from the Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative (CTDC) is a one-of-a-kind global data hub on human trafficking, with access to a global map, demographic snapshots, and graphs which highlight age, gender, and sectors in which people are exploited.
Labour Migration in Europe Volume II: Exploitation and legal protection of migrant workers by
Violence, deception, fraud and abuse have always been commonplace occurrences for migrants, not only in their final country of destination but also in their countries of origin and countries of transit. In today's world, the link between mobility and security issues is ever-increasing. Acknowledging this, how can we work to protect and improve migrants' rights? Is the protection for migrants offered by the EU sufficient as-is, or is a more integrated approach that requires greater cooperation from migrants' country of origin called for? What role can the private sector play in all of this? In this book, Borraccetti brings together contributions that analyse how migrant exploitation can be combatted. All essays focus on the protection and promotion of human rights and pay particular attention to the rights of children and other vulnerable people.
Human Security and Migration in Europe's Southern Borders by
This book examines the management of migratory flows in the Mediterranean within an international security perspective. The intense migratory flows registered during the year 2015 and the tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea have tested the mechanisms of the Union's immigration and asylum policies and its ability to respond to humanitarian crises. Moreover, these flows of varying intensities and geographies represent a threat to the internal security of the EU and its member states. By using Spain and Italy as case studies, the author theorizes that the EU, given its inability to adopt and implement a common policy to effectively manage migratory flows on its Southern border, uses a deterrence strategy based on minimum common denominators.
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