The Issue of Human Trafficking - Coursework Example

Human Trafficking Name of Student Name of Instructor Date of Submission According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Human trafficking is the third largest criminal activity in the world. It is regarded as modern-day slavery as the victims are subjected to coercion and are forced to commercial sex, forced labor, and debt bondage. The victims of human trafficking endure the barbaric, traumatizing and inhuman conditions at the hands of their perpetrators who are only after selfish interests. The cruelty of human trafficking has raised several ethical concerns because it violates an individual’s civil rights (Kempadoo, Sanghera & Pattanaik, 2015). Human trafficking is considered to be morally wrong, and this can be justified by several ethical theories. Ethical theories perspectives on human trafficking Utilitarianism The principles of utilitarianism dictate that an action is morally good if its consequences result in the happiness of greatest numbers and morally wrong if it results in pain and suffering (Melden, 2013). Based on the philosophy of utilitarianism, human trafficking is morally wrong because it affects a significant number of people in the society. The victim undergoes too much pain and suffering while in bondage, and this has detrimental effects on their well-being. Victims of human trafficking who have been saved from the chains of human trafficking even find it hard to come over the associated trauma and the effects carry on throughout their lives. Their family members, on the other hand, find it hard to come to terms with the situation after losing their loved ones to unknown captives. Human traffickers fail to maximize utility because they only benefit themselves and pose existential risks to humanity. Virtue Ethics Virtue ethics emphasize on morality and virtue rather than on the consequences of the action (Melden, 2013). According to this ethical philosophy, ideal character traits influence the types of choices that one pursues. For instance, if a person is greedy then such an individual will make a decision that benefits them only at the expense of others. The philosophical context of virtue ethics emphasizes on being rather than doing (LaFollette & Persson, 2013). Aristotle and Plato, the founders of virtue ethics, emphasized that actions should be guided by intrinsic motivation, which seeks to benefit others and not extrinsic motivation whereby an individual seeks own selfish interests such as profits. Virtue ethics, therefore, regard human trafficking as a morally wrong act which has detrimental effects on the well-being of the victims. Ethical egoism Ethical egoism differs from other ethical perspectives in that it claims that it considers actions whose consequences benefit the doer as ethical. This philosophy holds that one should not sacrifice own interests at the expense of helping others (LaFollette & Persson, 2013). One’s interests should not, however, be more or less important than the interests of others. In this regard, therefore, one’s actions benefit self, but they should not harm others. Drawing on the principles of ethical egoism, it can be concluded that human trafficking is wrong because the interests of the subject surpass others’ interests and it causes harm to others. The decision of the subject to hold other beings in captivity enables him to gain profits, but it lands the lives of the victims in jeopardy. Ethical issues in human trafficking Human trafficking is an unethical behavior which should be combated at all means. The following ethical issues arise from this morally wrong practice. Trading human beings for profit-making motive Human beings have inestimable worth, and no amount can equate their worth (Shelley, 2010). Trading human beings lower their dignity as it equates them to any other commodity for trade. The harm inflicted on the victims by human trafficking cannot be compensated by any material thing. Human trafficking is, therefore, unopposed to evil. Commoditization of human beings devalues them and makes the victim feel unworthy, inferior and unwanted (Campbell & Zimmerman, 2014, p. 153). Victims of human trafficking find it hard to associate with other members of the society. For instance, a woman who is sold into commercial sex work might feel useless and cheap for being treated as a sexual object which can be purchased by another person at own convenience. Inhuman conditions subjected to the victims Victims of human trafficking are being subjected to physical and emotional torture. The victims are usually beaten for refusing to conform to the commands of their perpetrators (Shelley & Lee, 2007, p. 118). Victims are left with injuries, yet no care is being given to help them recover from the injuries. The perpetrators even deny the victims their basic rights, for instance making the victims go hungry for days. Human trafficking has been very rampant in West Bengal, India and pictures taken by various human rights activities show children below the age of 18 sleeping on the bare floor. Human beings are regarded as superior beings of all creation and should be given fair treatment. Subjecting them to inhuman conditions lowers their dignity and being. Human rights issue Every individual has the right and the freedom to exercise their civil rights. Human trafficking limits an individual from enjoying their basic rights, and this is a grave ethical issue of concern (Shelley, 2010). When the victims are held in bondage, they do not have the freedom of movement or association. For instance, the victims who are subjected to forced labor have to stay in the workplaces and are not allowed to take any break away from the places of work. Every person also deserves a right to privacy. Victims of human trafficking have been forced to strip naked in front of other individuals. The same victims also share same rooms regardless of the gender and age. Most societies do not allow adults to share private rooms with children as this is considered taboo. Human trafficking violates the societal norms as well as undermines the basic rights of an individual. Selfishness of human trafficking Utilitarianism emphasizes on the action that results in the happiness of the greatest number of persons. Human trafficking, however, is motivated by individual gain and this result in pain and suffering of the greatest numbers. A person of virtuous character would make a sound decision but is this is not the case in human trafficking. The decisions that human traffickers make is considered irrational and against the ethical principles outlined by the various ethical theories and perspectives. Human trafficking satisfies the interests of the individual which in turn cause pain and suffering to the entire society. Breaches of ethical behavior Human trafficking violates ethical behavior since it is inconsistent with what individuals and societies consider being morally right (Lee, 2013). It is morally wrong and unacceptable to the society because of its detrimental effects. Human trafficking violates societal norms which guide the conduct of persons in the society. Ethics require that every person should be accorded equal respect regardless of their age, sex, financial status, and nationality among others. Human trafficking, therefore, does not value individuals for who they are and disrespects them by treating them in the wrong ways. Individuals from low-income backgrounds are more vulnerable to human trafficking, and this shows that perpetrators are taking advantage of them because of their disadvantages. Ethical behavior also calls for actions that bring about justice to all individuals. Human trafficking is, however, unjust because it favors the pursuers of human trafficking while denying justice to the victims. Families of captives have been trying to seek for justice, yet their pleas have been falling on deaf ears. Human traffickers have been engaging in fraud, bribery, and corruption to ensure that they get favors (Lee, 2013). Human trafficking prejudices the marginalized and the disadvantaged groups, an indication of that human trafficking promotes inequality and continues to widen the gaps in the society. Human trafficking is also involuntary and thus breaches an individual’s freedom when making crucial decisions. According to Di Nicola (2007) perpetrators of human trafficking do not operate in a manner that is tandem with what the society considers good morals. Human traffickers violate integrity and honesty as they use lies to entice the victims into human trafficking. Traffickers recruit children by promising their parents that the children will be sending the remittances home yet the parents do not receive even a single coin from their children. Some parents never hear from their children. Saudi Arabia has been very notorious for modern day slavery and human traffickers have established various recruitment agencies in different countries. The victims are promised good jobs abroad, and their visas are also catered for. Lies are being utilized by traffickers as they promise individuals better jobs, better pay and excellent working conditions which are never true. How the ethical theories will help people think about what constitutes virtuous or ethical behavior Utilitarianism Utilitarianism gives individuals the insight that ethical behavior comprises of actions which maximize utility and benefits the greatest number of people (LaFollette & Persson, 2013). An action which benefits only a smaller segment of the society is an indication that selfish interests have been pursued. When individuals make decisions, therefore, they should ask themselves the questions “How will my actions impact others in the society and will the good that accrue to me also benefit others?” The consequences of action should, therefore, ensure the well-being of most people in the society and this might require the subject to make some sacrifices. Virtue ethics Virtue ethics enables individuals to know how character influences whether they make morally right or wrong decisions. An individual will, therefore, know that their behavior is virtuous if the decisions are in accordance with the social norms, rules, and principles in the society. For instance, a person who is greed will choose human trafficking, and this act violates an individual’s civil right, and this is morally wrong. Some characters are considered unacceptable as they result in poor consequences. A person can also tell that they are behaving in an unethical way depending on how people perceive them. Ethical egoism In as much as ethical egoism regards the actions that benefit the doer as ethical, individuals should recognize that their actions would only be deemed ethical if does not harm others. A person should, therefore, seek to benefit their selves while having others in mind. An ethical behavior should, therefore, benefit both parties in equal measure. References Campbell, L. M., & Zimmerman, Y. C. (2014). Christian ethics and human trafficking activism: Progressive Christianity and social critique. Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, 34(1), 145-172. Di Nicola, A. (2007). Researching into human trafficking: Issues and problems. Human trafficking, 49-72. Kempadoo, K., Sanghera, J., & Pattanaik, B. (2015). Trafficking and prostitution reconsidered: New perspectives on migration, sex work, and human rights. Routledge. LaFollette, H., & Persson, I. (2013). The Blackwell guide to ethical theory. Lee, M. (Ed.). (2013). Human trafficking. Routledge. Melden, A. (2013). Ethical Theories. Read Books Ltd. Shelley, L. (2010). Human trafficking: A global perspective. Cambridge University Press. Shelley, L., & Lee, M. (2007). Human trafficking as a form of transnational crime. Human trafficking, 116-137. Read More

One’s interests should not, however, be more or less important than the interests of others. In this regard, therefore, one’s actions benefit self, but they should not harm others. Drawing on the principles of ethical egoism, it can be concluded that human trafficking is wrong because the interests of the subject surpass others’ interests and it causes harm to others. The decision of the subject to hold other beings in captivity enables him to gain profits, but it lands the lives of the victims in jeopardy.

Ethical issues in human trafficking Human trafficking is an unethical behavior which should be combated at all means. The following ethical issues arise from this morally wrong practice. Trading human beings for profit-making motive Human beings have inestimable worth, and no amount can equate their worth (Shelley, 2010). Trading human beings lower their dignity as it equates them to any other commodity for trade. The harm inflicted on the victims by human trafficking cannot be compensated by any material thing.

Human trafficking is, therefore, unopposed to evil. Commoditization of human beings devalues them and makes the victim feel unworthy, inferior and unwanted (Campbell & Zimmerman, 2014, p. 153). Victims of human trafficking find it hard to associate with other members of the society. For instance, a woman who is sold into commercial sex work might feel useless and cheap for being treated as a sexual object which can be purchased by another person at own convenience. Inhuman conditions subjected to the victims Victims of human trafficking are being subjected to physical and emotional torture.

The victims are usually beaten for refusing to conform to the commands of their perpetrators (Shelley & Lee, 2007, p. 118). Victims are left with injuries, yet no care is being given to help them recover from the injuries. The perpetrators even deny the victims their basic rights, for instance making the victims go hungry for days. Human trafficking has been very rampant in West Bengal, India and pictures taken by various human rights activities show children below the age of 18 sleeping on the bare floor.

Human beings are regarded as superior beings of all creation and should be given fair treatment. Subjecting them to inhuman conditions lowers their dignity and being. Human rights issue Every individual has the right and the freedom to exercise their civil rights. Human trafficking limits an individual from enjoying their basic rights, and this is a grave ethical issue of concern (Shelley, 2010). When the victims are held in bondage, they do not have the freedom of movement or association. For instance, the victims who are subjected to forced labor have to stay in the workplaces and are not allowed to take any break away from the places of work.

Every person also deserves a right to privacy. Victims of human trafficking have been forced to strip naked in front of other individuals. The same victims also share same rooms regardless of the gender and age. Most societies do not allow adults to share private rooms with children as this is considered taboo. Human trafficking violates the societal norms as well as undermines the basic rights of an individual. Selfishness of human trafficking Utilitarianism emphasizes on the action that results in the happiness of the greatest number of persons.

Human trafficking, however, is motivated by individual gain and this result in pain and suffering of the greatest numbers. A person of virtuous character would make a sound decision but is this is not the case in human trafficking. The decisions that human traffickers make is considered irrational and against the ethical principles outlined by the various ethical theories and perspectives. Human trafficking satisfies the interests of the individual which in turn cause pain and suffering to the entire society.

Breaches of ethical behavior Human trafficking violates ethical behavior since it is inconsistent with what individuals and societies consider being morally right (Lee, 2013).

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