Trafficking in Human Beings (THB)

Students: Burghelia Raluca Mihalache Tadea

Zaharia Cristina
Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) A threat to security and stability

What we will discuss today

1 2 3 4 5 NATO Policy on Combating THB What is trafficking in human beings? Victims & traffickers Impact of THB on NATO-led operations Responses to trafficking in human beings

NATOs Policy on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings

1 2 Zero-tolerance policy: NATO-led forces are prohibited from engaging in or facilitating trafficking in human beings Support for host nation: NATO-led forces will support within their competence and mandate the efforts of the host country to combat trafficking in human beings

What led NATO to adopt its anti-trafficking policy?

Mission accomplishment Security Credibility

The problem is serious !!!

1 2 3 27 million people are enslaved in some form worldwide more than at any time in history Up to 4.000.000 people are said to be trafficked across international borders annually, the majority of whom are women and children Estimated revenues of this criminal activity are believed to amount up to $12 billion/year

NATO-led operations may take place in areas

Where organized crime operates

Broken social & political order Destroyed economy Black markets General lawlessness Corruption Vulnerable people

Organised crime is well-networked...

Crime
Bribery Corruption Partiality

Fraud Money laundering Protection rackets Front Companies Smuggling

Business
Bribery Cronyism Economic espionage Monopoly Protection

State Authorities

Trafficking in Human Beings is

 the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by the threat or use of force, deception or other means, for the purpose of exploitation.

Elements of THB

- recruitment - transfer - harbouring - receipt of persons

- threat or use of - force - deception - coercion - abuse of power - sexual exploitation - forced labour - slavery - begging - removal of organs - etc
The exploitation of children (under 18 years of age) is always a crime!

Trafficking is a Process . . .

Recruitment

Transportation

Exploitation

Place of Origin

Place of Destination

Compare & Contrast Smuggling of Migrants (SoM) v. Trafficking in Human Beings (THB)

SoM Facilitating an illegal border crossing for financial or other benefit

THB Subjecting a person through threat or use of force, deception or other means to EXPLOITATION

The many faces of trafficking in human beings ...

Illegal detention Exploitation of labour Kidnapping

Forgery of documents

Corruption Money laundering Tax evasion Forced labour Debt-bondage Forced marriage Forced abortion Slavery Torture Cruel, degrading or inhumane treatment

Trafficking in Human Beings

Murder Bodily injury Sexual assault

Rape

Who are the victims?

A trafficked person is not a criminal but a victim of a serious crime!

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21 year-old single-mother / Earned only 10 Euro per month from her job in Moldova / Promised a employment in Italy / Crossed the border from Romania to Serbia in the company of traffickers on foot at night / Once in Serbia held captive in a locked apartment with 16 other women / Traffickers took her passport away Passed her from one owner to the another / Ultimately sold to a bar owner in Prizren / Forced to prostitute herself / No pay for her work / Beaten regularly Repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted

Common characteristics of THB victims

1 2 3 4 5 Members of vulnerable groups in the AOR Members of ethnic groups not common to the AOR Primarily younger women and children Poorly educated people Generally coming from economically disadvantaged areas

Trafficking victims are subjected to:

1 2 3 Physical, mental and/or sexual violence Confinement and confiscation of identity documents Abusive working conditions

4 5 6

Terrible hygienic and living conditions Little or no access to medical care No access to legal remedies

You may encounter victims in ...

Nightclubs and bars Escort services Massage parlors Hotels and motels Private apartments Countless other locations Streets Places, where illegal migrants work

Traffickers intimidate and control their victims in a number of ways

1 2 3 4 They lie to victims about future employment, travel, living conditions, treatment or immigration status Traffickers move victims between different locations to prevent them from developing trust in anyone They coerce victims to provide specific responses to law enforcement personnel Traffickers use the threat of violence or actually harm victims or the victims family

Always remember that victims of THB generally may . . .

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Not initiate a conversation on their status Not respond to or avoid personal questions Try to make themselves invisible Be forced to hide the truth about their situation Not be unaccompanied Avoid eye contact Not ask for help

. . . even deny being a trafficking victim!

If you suspect someone might be a victim of trafficking . . . Simple indicators can identify a possible victim of THB
1 2 3 4 5 6 Can the individual leave his or her place of employment if they so desire? Are the working and living conditions as they were supposed to be when the person took the position? Is the individual being fairly paid for his or her work? Can the individual actually keep their wages? Is the person working for their employer to repay a debt? Has the person or their family been threatened?

Who are the traffickers?

Recruiters

Transporters

Exploiters

and others who

assist the traffickers (e.g., accomplices); transfer, harbour or receive trafficked persons; knowingly utilise the services of trafficked persons; organise or direct other persons to traffic.

Who are the perpetrators?

1 2 3 4 International organized crime Criminal groups trafficking arms and drugs, as well as those specialized exclusively in humans Small groups with loose structures (often including family members of the victim) Your roommate who knowingly exploits the services of a trafficking victims

What you must do Your duties

1 2 3 4 Be aware and well informed Do not get involved Do not ignore involvement of others Report to your direct supervisor

REMEMBER!
1 2 Primary responsibility for external investigation of THB cases rests with law enforcement authorities. Close cooperation with specialised non-governmental organisations ensures that victims receive the necessary support.

Keep in mind . . .
1 2 3 Members of the armed forces will be targeted by traffickers Traffickers are clever and flexible businessmen and will develop a wide range of modus operandi Each AOR requires a tailor-made approach to trafficking

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SUMMARY NATO Policy on Combating THB

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Human trafficking is modern slavery Human trafficking runs counter to the stabilisation efforts of NATO NATO-led forces are prohibited from engaging in human trafficking NATO has a zero tolerance policy towards THB and involvement could end your career All personnel will receive training NATO-led forces will provide support to responsible authorities within their competence and mandate NATO and partner nations will incorporate contractual provisions that prohibit its contractors from engaging in THB NATO and partner nations commit themselves to ensure full national implementation of the NATO Policy Non NATO troop contributing nations must commit themselves to the antiTHB policy upon joining a NATOled operation

Setting the record straight

NATOs policy is about ending the exploitation of human beings 1 2 A desire to immigrate does not equal consent to exploitation Victims of human trafficking cannot consent to their treatment

Rules To Live By For NATO-Led Forces

1 2 3 4 Set the example for exemplary conduct in an AOR Exert a positive influence in an AO Never exploit their relationship with a host nation or people for personal gain Always act in accord with the Alliances fundamental values

Remember
1 2 Combating THB is an indispensable element of Mission accomplishment, force protection and personal security Combating THB is not mission creep

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