Reasons Behind Human Trafficking

Human smuggling and trafficking are violations of human’s rights , integrity and dignity . In fact, it is officially defined by governmental organs and international organizations such as the United Nations as modern-day slavery to further commercial, sexual or labor acts.

There is a blurred line between smuggled migration and human trafficking and the two concepts often overlap. Thus, In order to bring a reliable knowledge about human smuggling and trafficking, it is necessary to define these two concepts apart and understand the differences and similarities among smuggling and trafficking.

Human trafficking

Definition

According to the US department of Homeland security, human trafficking is indeed a modern form of slavery which involves

Unlike human smuggling, human trafficking can take place within national borders.

Traffickers target

The traffickers usually look for people with economic difficulties, physiological or emotional vulnerability and lack of social safety. Also, during the natural disasters or political instabilities because people are more vulnerable and easy to abduct.

Reasons behind human trafficking

Unlike other crimes, human trafficking is considered to be a high profit low risk based upon the principle of supply and demand. In other words, merchandising.

As explained by Louise Shelley in “ a comparative perspective: human smuggling and trafficking into Europe” the traffickers take advantage of a bunch of factors to achieve their fraudulent acts. Indeed, the factors are known as ‘Push and Pull’ factors. moreover, they set criteria of vulnerable persons who lack material means or opportunities to better their lives, end up being part of these criminal networks

Push Factors: • Poverty • Lack of education and unemployment • Marginalization and discrimination • Dysfunctions and unhealthy behaviors within the familial circle • Natural disasters and wars. Alongside with Impact of political

Which facilitate the trafficking and smuggling activities. Regarding Eastern Europe, some flows come from Macedonia through Serbia and Hungary. While in Africa, they travel until the Northern part of the continent and from there, usually from Libya, they travel to Italy which is a transit destination. Also, some uncommon routes starts to be used: from Macedonia through Serbia and Hungary

Economic value of Human smuggling and trafficking

Human trafficking affected almost every country in the world, including the most developed nations such as the United States.

After the drug trafficking, it is the most profitable crime, generating several billions per year. According to Interpol International , the worth of human trafficking in the US only is estimated 32 billion of dollars for 2.4 millions of abducted people.

While in Europe, with refugee crisis and the incapacity of the international community to take a significant answer to civil and political conflicts arising in Africa, the Syrian conflict and the terrorist treat, the so called Daech, the smuggling industry will keep growing. As result, within the EU, the human smuggling estimated 6 billions of Euros in 2015.