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Trafficking in Human Beings (THB). A threat to security and stability. What we will discuss today …. 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.
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Trafficking in Human Beings(THB) A threat to security and stability
What we will discuss today … • 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
NATO’s Policy on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings • 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 NATO Policy on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings EAPC(C)D(2004)0029 (8 June 2004)
What led NATO to adopt its anti-trafficking policy? Mission accomplishment • Security • Credibility
The problem is serious !!! • 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
Broken social & political order • Destroyed economy • Black markets • General lawlessness • Corruption • Vulnerable people NATO-led operations may take place in areas … where organised crime operates
Trafficking in drugs Trafficking in weapons Trafficking in human beings Interlocking Network of Crime Corruption Corruption
Organised crime is well-networked... Fraud Money laundering Protection rackets Front Companies Smuggling Crime Business Bribery Corruption Partiality 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. Art. 3, UN Trafficking Protocol
- recruitment - transfer - harbouring - receipt of persons ACTS threat or use of - force - deception - coercion - abuse of power MEANS - sexual exploitation - forced labour - slavery - begging - removal of organs - etc PURPOSE Elements of THB
The exploitation of children (under 18 years of age) is always a crime! UN Trafficking Protocol
Recruitment Transportation Exploitation Trafficking is a Process . . . Place of Origin Place of Destination
THB Subjecting a person through threat or use of force, deception or other means to EXPLOITATION SoM Facilitating an illegal border crossing for financial or other benefit Compare & ContrastSmuggling of Migrants (SoM) v. Trafficking in Human Beings (THB)
Compare & ContrastSmuggling of Migrants (SoM) v. Trafficking in Human Beings (THB)
The many faces of trafficking in human beings ... Forgery of documents Corruption Money laundering Tax evasion Illegal detention Trafficking in Human Beings Forced labour Exploitation of labour Debt-bondage Kidnapping Forced marriage Murder Forced abortion Bodily injury Slavery Sexual assault Torture Cruel, degrading or inhumane treatment Rape
A trafficked person is not a criminal but a victim of a serious crime! 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 • 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
Physical, mental and/or sexual violence Confinement and confiscation of identity documents Abusive working conditions Terrible hygienic and living conditions Little or no access to medical care No access to legal remedies Trafficking victims are subjected to: THB is a serious violation of human rights!
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 are entrepreneurs – they will place their “product” where it is most likely to be sold!
Traffickers intimidate and control their victims in a number of ways • 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 victim’s family
Always remember that victims of THB generally may . . . • 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!
Simple indicators can identify a possible victim of THB • 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? • 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 Leader of a trafficking gang in Cambodia - Sentenced to 15 years confinement Alleged leader of a trafficking gang in Macedonia - Sentenced to 3 years confinement
NATO’s Goals • Raise awareness of the Alliance’s stand against trafficking • Build stability in AOs by reducing destabilizing organized crime • Eliminate any involvement by NATO personnel or contractors with THB by Zero Tolerance Policy • Build credibility through implementation of a comprehensive anti-trafficking policy • Assist host nations to combat THB
Identified challenges for international missions • To create a secure and stable operating environment • To combat organized crime, terrorism and insurgents ― the sources of destabilization • To eliminate the funding for the destabilizing forces
Mission accomplishment Security Credibility … rests on indispensable pillars
Tuberculosis • Hepatitis • Venereal Diseases • HIV AIDS Corruption “Next time you get it for free if you do me a favor...” Blackmail “Do me a favor, or you might get troubles...” Security risks Active Engagement in THB is a crime THB may be linked to serious health hazards
Impact on Security Engagement in THB makes you … … a risk factor for • Your friends • Your unit • Your Mission Don’t bring them into danger !
Impact on Mission-Credibilityresponsibility & accountability Getting involved in trafficking in human beings: Active engagement is a crime! • undermines your reputation • undermines the mission credibility
Trafficking threatens NATO-led operations • The bottom-line: • Trafficking is a serious crime • Trafficking has a negative impact on the accomplishment of the mission
Trafficking threatens NATO-led operations • Engaging in trafficking damages the reputation of all peacekeepers • Engaging in trafficking can lead the local population to lose trust in the mission
Mission accomplishment Security Credibility form the base YOU Security, Stability & Peace
Your duties • Be aware and well informed • Do not get involved • Do not ignore involvement of others • Report to your direct supervisor
REMEMBER! • 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.
Role of NATO-led Forces • Assist in prosecuting traffickers:cooperate with appropriate law enforcement agencies to provide information on traffickers as well as to facilitateidentification and prosecution. • Assist in protecting victims:cooperate with appropriate organisations (NGOs and others) to ensure that victims are identified and assisted. Support national/local anti-trafficking action!
Keep in mind . . . • 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
NATO Policy on Combating THB • 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
NATO Policy on Combating THB • 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 anti-THB policy upon joining a NATO–led operation
Setting the record straight • A desire to immigrate does not equal consent to exploitation • Victims of human trafficking cannot consent to their treatment NATO’s policy is about ending the exploitation of human beings
Rules To Live By For NATO-Led Forces • 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 Alliance’s fundamental values
Remember • Combating THB is an indispensable element of Mission accomplishment, force protection and personal security • Combating THB is not mission creep
Summary Questions?
GCSP – Geneva Centre for Security Policy GTZ– Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit IOM – International Organization for Migration BMLV/LVAk – Austrian National Defense Academy EUPM – European Union Police Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Reaching Out – Romania UNOHCHR - United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights UNDPKO - United Nations Department for Peacekeeping Operations UNODC - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime NATO wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the following organizations throughout the conceptualizing and drafting process: and with the support of the Norwegian and US Delegations to NATO