It has been widely accepted that trafficking of human beings is a human rights issue. However, it has been difficult to address the human rights aspects of the phenomenon in practice, because a comprehensive analysis of applicable human rights norms and principles has not been fully developed, and therefore the nature of obligations imposed upon States is not entirely clear. The purpose of this book, then, is to establish a human rights framework to promote better understanding of the multi-faceted problems inherent in trafficking of human beings, articulate obligations imposed upon States, and facilitate a holistic approach. The book also contains chapters on case studies at the national, regional, and international levels, thereby combining the theory and practice.

This text analyses the various international legal instruments regulating people trafficking including treaties, 'soft law', and the definition contained in the UN Trafficking Protocol, and argues that trafficking in persons ought rightly to be considered a part of jus cogens.

Combating trafficking in human beings (THB) for labor exploitation requires additional skills, knowledge, and awareness for effective investigation and prosecution, and for the identification and assistance of victims of this form of THB. Actors other than the police and the prosecution services (such as labor inspectorates, social investigation services, and municipalities) have also become involved in these activities. It is unclear which role these actors can have in identifying victims and in investigating and prosecuting (cross-border) THB for labor exploitation and which improvements are needed. They are often unfamiliar with, for instance, the specific needs of victims, how trafficking networks operate, and how to cooperate with colleagues abroad. These problems obviously hamper the combating of THB for labor exploitation. In addition, difficulties in defining THB for labor exploitation still exist. Labor exploitation, as such, is not a term used in the Palermo Protocol or the EU Directive on Preventing and Combating THB and Protecting Victims. One can say that labor exploitation includes, at least, forced and compulsory labor and services, slavery, and slavery-like practices, although this does not solve the problems encountered in defining the crime. In this book, these and other problems, as well as the challenges of dealing with these problems, are identified. It includes research in five countries (Austria, The Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, and Spain), research on the EU legal framework, an analysis of the country studies, as well as four articles reflecting on these problems.

In the current processes of political, economic and cultural changes serious cross-border forms of organized crime receive unprecedented attention as spectacular global media events, as 'threats' of all sorts, and as priority targets of criminal policy and political agendas. Most books on 'global organized crime' focus on one particular region, topic or event, and are written from one specific theoretical and disciplinary framework. The renowned scholars who have contributed to this volume present up-to-date expertise on regions as distant and different as Russia, Colombia, the Netherlands, Israel, Peru and Britain. They tackle phenomena such as international drug trafficking, alien and women smuggling, terrorism, East European organized crime and financial crimes. They show not only how these issues are interrelated, but also the way in which they interact with social, economic and political legitimate structures. The contributors critically question the policies and strategies currently pursued. They explore different theoretical arguments from the perspective of their own disciplines, which include economics, criminology, political science and anthropology.

In the light of the urgent need for cooperative and collaborative action against trafficking, this publication presents examples of promising practice from around the world relating to trafficking interventions. It is hoped that the guidance offered, the practices showcased and the resources recommended in this Toolkit will inspire and assist policymakers, law enforcers, judges, prosecutors, victim service providers and members of civil society in playing their role in the global effort against trafficking in persons. The present edition is an updated and expanded version of the Toolkit published in 2006.

Coming to America to make a better life has long been a dream of many from around the world, even if it means being smuggled into the country to gain entry. This book examines how human smuggling and trafficking activities to the United States are carried out and explores the legal and policy challenges of dealing with these problems. Zhang covers the scope and patterns of global human trafficking and smuggling activities; the strategies and methods employed by various groups to bring individuals into the United States; major smuggling routes and venues; the involvement of organized criminal organizations in transnational human smuggling activities; and the challenges confronting the U.S. government in combating these activities.

Trafficking in human beings has become one of the most serious problems of the international community. Combating this phenomenon in an effective manner requires a comprehensive international approach of all countries. Being aware of this, several international organizations have launched a number of documents to fight against this phenomenon. The most representative ones are the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which supplements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (2000), the Council of Europe's Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (2005), and the EU Directive 2011/36/EU on combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. This book provides a comparative analysis of these legal documents and suggests a number of proposals in order to improve the international and national policies to combat this kind of criminality. [Subject: International Law, Criminal Law, Human Rights Law, Comparative Law]