International Cooperation Against Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants (From Resource Material Series No. 62, P 181-190, 2004, Simon Cornell, ed. -- See NCJ-206385)

• NCJ Number: 206400
• Author(s): Shigeru Uchiyama
• Date Published: February 2004
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis; Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: Japan
• Note: Presented at the 122nd International Training Course, "The Effective Administration of Criminal Justice to Tackle Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants," September 2 - October 24, 2002, in Tokyo, Japan.

Annotation

This report on the deliberations of a work group of the 122nd International Training Course on Crime Prevention and the Treatment of Offenders (October 2002) presents recommendations for international cooperation in countering human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants.

Abstract

The work group analyzed human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants as a multidimensional problem that encompasses migration, labor, criminal behavior, and human rights. All of these dimensions must be addressed if the problem is to be effectively addressed. Human trafficking is a global problem that involves virtually all countries as places from which migrants depart, routes for migration to other countries, and places where migrants go to live and work. Legal migration that complies with the laws and regulations of the various countries involved is not the problem. The problem occurs when criminal groups recruit and coerce people, primarily women and children, to migrate through illegal channels for the profit of the traffickers. Such criminal enterprises typically include the exploitation and abuse of migrants in circumstances of prostitution, slave labor, and servitude. Given the transnational character of this criminal enterprise, the work group focused on the importance and methods of international cooperation. Recommendations for governmental cooperation include the creation of common standards for addressing the problem, cooperation in assets confiscation from convicted traffickers, information exchange through direct-contact networks, moderation of strict rules that govern extradition and mutual legal assistance, victim protection, technical assistance, and the creation of regional organizations. Recommendations for cooperation between governments and nongovernmental organizations pertain to the exchange of information, training and education programs, and support and services for victims of trafficking.