Human
trafficking is a phoenomenon that has ancient roots.
It has been
existing across the globe for thousands of years.
From the ancient Greek and
Romans to the medieval times, and up until today, humans have been subject to
various forms of physical and sexual slavery.
Undoubtedly,
the first historic peak of human trafficking was reached across 1400-1600, after the European discovery of the “New World”,
specifically aimed to sell and buy slaves for colonies.
However, we
are still far from considering it ended.
In fact,
many forms of slavery are still taking place today, from sex slavery to forced
labor to the trafficking of organs. People
who are trafficked are often those who are in debt or living in poverty: traffickers
exploit these types of situations, and trick these individuals into believing
that they will sponsor them to get a well-paying job somewhere abroad.
Therefore,
when it comes to situations of devastation and hopelessness like armed conflicts,
it is obvious that trafficking becomes not only easier but also broader,
involving one of the most vulnerable subjects,
kids.
Not only
are children gullible and naive - and therefore they remain easy targets for traffickers
to take advantage of - but also, the
trafficking in children (internally in countries, across national borders and
across continents) is closely interlinked with the demand of cheap malleable
and docile labour in sectors and among employers where the working conditions and
the treatment grossly violates the human rights of the children. These are
characterized by environments that are unacceptable as well as dangerous to the health and the development of the child. These forms range from bonded labour, camel jockeying,
child domestic labour, commercial sexual exploitation and prostitution, drug
couriering, and child soldiering to exploitative or slavery-like practices in
the informal industrial sector.
Those forced into child labor have no freedom,
and subsequently suffer psychological damage and isolation. Because of
trafficking, their chances of education and growth are diminished, and they are
driven into an even deeper state of poverty.
The ILO (2005)
estimated that 980,000 to 1,225,000
children - both boys and girls - are in a forced labour situation as a result
of trafficking. International organizations like UN and ILO are dealing with this subject through
international legal instruments, such as
the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress
and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, an
international agreement under the UN Convention
against Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC), the Optional
Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict - OPAC and the Optional
Protocol on the Sale of Children, child prostitution and child pornography –
OPSC , both linked to the UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child.
Despite these efforts, children still face huge violations and abuses: child human trafficking is a profitable and
deplorable business happening all over the globe that is far from ending. Only
our awareness can serve as a way to stop child trafficking now.
people = goods ?? is unbelievable that in 21 first century this barbaric practice still goes on!
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