Human trafficking: the need for human rights and government effectiveness in enforcing anti-trafficking

Human trafficking constitutes a global problem. Involving exploitation of individuals through forced labour, sex, or organ removal, trafficking is an egregious human rights violation and illegal in many countries. Although laws have arisen to combat trafficking, it has persisted and inconsistent enforcement of anti-trafficking measures has been a concern. Using new data on trafficking, the enforcement patterns of 168 countries from 2001 to 2011 are examined. Findings suggest enforcement is predicted by the interaction of states’ world culture ties and government effectiveness, trafficking flows, and other state-level political mechanisms. Theoretically important factors, such as female legislators or various economic measures, are insignificant.     

Criminal justice response to human trafficking in Nigeria and South Africa: suggestions for better performance

This article evaluates the response of the criminal justice system of Nigeria and South Africa in relation to human trafficking, and offer suggestions on pragmatic steps that can be taken to combat its scourge. Over the years, concerted efforts have been made to develop effective, and internationally coordinated approaches to combat the phenomenon at the national, regional and continental levels, but unfortunately, such conscientious have not yielded the desired results. Nigeria and South Africa have criminalised the menace by enacting anti-trafficking laws, but these regulations have not been able to adequately stem the tides of the crime, considering its rising profile in recent times. The reason (among others) is essentially due to the fact that these laws are selective, and not all-inclusive. Policy makers in both countries are merely formulating and adjusting strategies on an experimental basis. Though there is improvement in inter-agency cooperation within each country, but there is a wide gap in cross-national cooperation. The author draws on evolving international standards to propose six fundamentals of an effective criminal justice response to human trafficking that can be adopted by these two countries.     

论非洲区域性人权保护机制

为了促进人权和民族权利,使这些权利在非洲得到有效保护,非洲统一组织制定了相关人权文件,建立了一套比较系统的人权保护机构和制度.与全球性国际人权保护制度相比,非洲区域性人权保护制度更具可行性,尤其是个人申诉制度对国际人权保护的发展产生了重大影响.但不可否认的是,非洲区域性人权保护机制也还存在着一些缺陷.     

Long-term criminal justice response to human trafficking in south africa: an impossible mission

ABSTRACT

This article explores the propriety of long-term efforts of the South African criminal justice system in combating human trafficking. Though a crime of global dimension, human trafficking has been a reverberating issue of concern to the South African State. Steps have been taken by the State to address this menace, especially from the legal standpoint, and the enlistment of human trafficking among crimes that require an effective criminal justice approach to deal with; yet, the menace has persisted. From a broader doctoral study, using qualitative method, it was discovered (amongst others) that as currently structured, the South African criminal justice system cannot effect a long-term combating strategies against human trafficking. Findings also indicate that the solution to the precipitating factors that fuel the trade in human commodity lies outside the scope and mandate of the criminal justice system. The study further recommends that for an effective response, it is expedient for the State to first address the socio-economic, cultural and political nuances that fuel the trade, rather than mount impracticable pressure on its criminal justice institutions to perform an unrealistic task.     

(Re)configuring the criminal justice response to human trafficking: a complex-systems perspective

Abstract

The multidimensional complexities associated with the criminal justice response to human trafficking are well documented. The transient and subversive nature of human trafficking as organised crime and the large number of multidisciplinary role-players involved in coordinating cross jurisdictional efforts to prevent, investigate and prosecute such cases, contribute to this complex undertaking. Complex systems theory suggests that a complex social problem such as human trafficking cannot be approached by using a linear or simplified lens, and requires a holistic perspective on the complex interactions between actors, and emergent behaviour in both the criminal justice system and the human trafficking system that it seeks to combat. This paper explores the characteristics of complexity, and uses illustrations from the lived experiences of actors in South Africa’s efforts to combat human trafficking, in order to demonstrate how complex systems theory could be considered and integrated into the criminal justice response to human trafficking.     

人权法治全球化法理分析

只有从历史与现实的两个角度来还原人权与主权关系所处的三元结构,并从社群主义的角度来还原人权的三元背景关系,进而借助后现代主义的分析方法,我们才能够更明确地厘清强权与主权、主权与人权之间的关系。人权的理论与实践发展到全球化的今天,国际人权救济的途径和方式依靠现存的强权利益与国际人权救济的需要相竟合的机制并不是可靠的。人权法治全球化是全球人权保障的一条根本而又可靠的战略出路。     

人权的全球化:概念与维度

人权全球化是当代国际社会的主要现象之一。它不仅仅意味着人权制度的跨国作用 ,而且也意味着人权思想、学说、意识的跨国交流。在人权国际化的过程中 ,宜以人道主义和权利本位为出发点 ,以文明间的共存和可持续发展为准则 ,在其发展过程中 ,应当以国际合作为主导方式 ,不能包罗万象的建构国际人权体系 ,另外应重视人权谱系的全面性。在此前提下 ,构筑共同的人权高标准不仅是必要的 ,而且是可能的     

The enforcement of anti-human trafficking law in South Africa: a case of an aircraft without a pilot

This article evaluates the effectiveness of current law enforcement efforts in combating human trafficking in South Africa. Based on a broader empirical doctoral study, it was discovered that as currently structured, the South African Police Service (SAPS) cannot be effective in the enforcement of anti-trafficking law in the country. Combating human trafficking among other things, requires a formidable law enforcement agency that is explicitly proficient in the modus operandi of the crime; the sophisticated cum dynamic nature of the forces and factors that fuel the illicit trade in a vacillating milieu. Unfortunately, academic writings on this observable position in South Africa are scanty. Therefore, an article of this nature is not just timely but urgent. Findings from the study (among others) revealed that a wide-gap exist in the capacity of the SAPS, and other relevant stakeholders, to enforce anti-trafficking law in the country. Hence, it was recommended that for a result-oriented approach, South Africa needs to establish a specialised law enforcement agency distinct from the regular police structure to enforce anti-trafficking law in the country.     

The Trafficking in Persons Report: a game of risk

The State Department ranks countries on adherence to minimum standards set forth by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2000. The Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) is updated annually and failure to enact changes to combat trafficking results in higher tier rankings. This paper evaluates the TIP by situating this tool in light of special features of the modern era, such as globalization and risk. Through a survey of the theoretical literature on risk and on trafficking risk factors, we devise six preliminary risk clusters and discuss how the TIP could incorporate governments’ response to trafficking risk factors into the ranking system. Our intentions are to spark debate about how risk factors could be incorporated in the TIP, to provide a preliminary model and to encourage further research in this area.     

国际投资仲裁机构对涉及人权问题的投资纠纷的审理

国际投资仲裁的当事人在仲裁中提出人权方面诉求的情况在最近十几年里缓慢地增加了,仲裁庭只有在仲裁管辖条款能够覆盖人权问题,并且当事人所选择的适用法能够为人权问题的解决提供指引的情况下,才能就与投资有关的人权纠纷做出裁决。现有的国际投资仲裁机构自身存在很多缺陷,不适宜作为审理与投资有关的人权问题的理想场所。我国应该支持与投资有关的人权问题主要通过东道国的司法途径进行救济。     

人权法治全球化法理分析

只有从历史与现实两个角度来还原人权与主权关系所处的三元结构,并从社群主义的角度来还原人权的三元背景关系,进而借助后现代主义的分析方法,我们才能够更有说服力地厘清强权与主权、主权与人权之间的关系。人权发展到全球化的今天,国际人权救济依靠现存的强权利益与国际人权救济的需要相竟合的投机机制是不可靠的。人权法治全球化是全球人权保障的一条根本而又可靠的战略出路。     

欧盟跨国拐卖人口犯罪管控研究

跨国拐卖人口犯罪是当今世界共同面临的重大犯罪问题,已成为全球第三大非法获利来源,被国际刑警组织称为“世界上增长最快的犯罪”。欧洲,长期以来已经成为世界人口贩卖的最大目的地。跨国拐卖人口这种21世纪的奴役形式严重损害了受害人的身心健康和人格尊严,严重地干扰了国际社会的正常社会秩序。上世纪八十年代末,跨国拐卖人口对国际组织和各国政府尚属边缘问题时,欧盟就开始对其进行研究,并积极考虑遏制对策、开展具体实践。几十年来,打击跨国拐卖人口犯罪已成为欧盟人权战略的一个重要特征。欧盟致力于在国内和世界各地使用“3P”做法来打击跨国拐卖人口犯罪：起诉贩运者,保护受害者以及预防未来犯罪。在打击、预防跨国拐卖人口犯罪过程中务实高效,立法和机制建设也比较成熟。近些年来,我国急剧上升的拐卖人口犯罪出现了一些新的特点。欧盟的做法为我国有效预防、依法打击拐卖人口犯罪,积极救助、妥善安置被拐卖受害人提供了样板和借鉴。     

人权法治全球化法理分析

只有从历史与现实的两个角度来还原人权与主权关系所处的三元结构,并从社群主义的角度来还原人权的三元背景关系,进而借助后现代主义的分析方法,我们才能够更有说服力地厘清强权与主权、主权与人权之间的关系。人权发展到全球化的今天,国际人权救济依靠现存的强权利益与国际人权救济的需要相竞合的投机机制是不可靠的。人权法治全球化是全球人权保障的一条根本而又可靠的战略出路。     

非洲国家的律师制度

非洲国家自获得政治独立以来,初步建立了自己的司法制度,同时也开始逐步建立和发展自己本国的律师制度.然而,总体来看,非洲国家的律师制度才刚刚起步,还不是很发达,并且还存在诸多问题.在经济全球化和民主自由化浪潮的冲击和影响下,作为保障人权、实现社会正义以及促进民主法治的律师制度将在非洲国家得到不断的发展和完善.     

全球化下的普遍人权批判:基于欧洲的视角——评Global Law:A Triple Challenge

直面经济全球化,马蒂基于欧洲的视角,一方面反对美国式的独白式普遍主义的霸权性的解决方案,另一方面也反对四分五裂的消解普遍主义人权的努力,而给出了一种欧洲式的共同体下的世界法.这种世界法预设了一种普遍人权,这种普遍人权既有其自身难以克服的预设与论述之间的内在紧张,更为重要的是其预设本身就缺乏一种正当的对人之为人的生活样态的关注的理据.因之,在全球化下,对普遍人权的基础与正当性需要作出一种新的检讨.     

Where are all the victims?

Research Summary The passage of new laws that criminalize the trafficking of persons for labor and sexual services has raised public awareness about the problem of human trafficking. In response, police must understand the problem, identify human trafficking victims, and make arrests. The numbers of victims identified to date, however, has paled in comparison with official estimates, which leads some to question the existence of a human trafficking problem. Missing from this debate is information about how frequently police encounter human trafficking and how well prepared officers are to handle these cases. Analyzing survey responses from a national sample of police agencies in the United States, we found that less than 10% of police agencies identified human trafficking cases from 2000 to 2006. Larger agencies were more likely to identify cases of human trafficking but the agency leader perception about the problem in their local communities as well as taking steps to prepare officers to identify and respond were the most important factors to increasing human trafficking identification by police. Policy Implications This study provides much needed information about why U.S. officials have identified so few human trafficking victims. By understanding how often and under what conditions police find, investigate, and prosecute cases of human trafficking we will be in a better position to identify and overcome barriers to police responses to trafficking and understand the limitations of official statistics about human trafficking. Data from a national survey also provide a baseline measure of police identification of human trafficking against which we can gauge the progress of future anti-trafficking efforts.     

“一带一路”倡议与中国企业承担人权责任策略探析

在经济全球化浪潮面临挑战和"一带一路"倡议方兴未艾的复杂国际背景下,中国企业面临发展机遇与人权相关风险的双重挑战。国际工商业与人权议程尤其是联合国《工商企业与人权:实施联合国"保护、尊重和补救"框架指导原则》蕴含着丰富的企业人权责任。我国可从政府与企业两个层面采取应对措施。在政府层面,可以制定并执行相关法律与政策;制定工作指引,建立监管体系;制定工商业与人权行动计划。在企业层面,应当把尊重人权原则纳入公司治理;主动发布人权履责报告,加强对话与合作。     

当前中国人权保障观的一种解析--以人口准入与迁徙自由为例

本文以国家人权保护义务的法律和政治道德义务为基础,分析了国家人权机构的性质与功能问题,在论证国家人权机构正当性的基础上,对世界各国的人权机构类型和功能进行了论述,并提出中国建立国家人权机构的必要性、可行性与基本模式。     

State Crimes of Previous Regimes: Knowledge, Accountability, and the Policing of the Past

The policy of lustration is set in the context of responses to abuses of power by previous regimes. Using examples from three recent forms of social reconstruction (in Latin America, the former communist states, and South Africa), the author reviews the “justice in transition” debate. How do societies going through democratization confront the human rights violations committed by the previous regime? Five aspects of this debate are reviewed: (1) truth: establishing and confronting the knowledge of what happened in the past; (2) justice: making offenders accountable for their past violations through three possible methods: punishment through the criminal law, compensation and restitution, and mass disqualification such as lustration; (3) impunity: giving amnesty to previous offenders; (4) expiation; and (5) reconciliation and reconstruction. A concluding discussion raises the implications of the subject for the study of time and social control.