Organized Crime and Human Trafficking: The Most Potential Threat to the Modern World - Research Paper Example

Organized Crime and Human Trafficking: The Most Potential Threat to the Modern World Human trafficking is the modern form of slavery which has grown into a highly lucrative business for organized criminal organizations across the globe. Reports point to the alarming growth of this illicit business which affects millions of victims’ human rights. Unlike the past, criminal activity is an allied business today in which several interest groups including but not limited to criminals, politicians, and terrorists take part one way or another. This illicit business market is highly broad, and the individuals involved in this can take advantage of the target’s socio-economic stature in poverty and in richness alike. According to the UN estimates, human traffickers make $32 billion annually from various illegal activities. This paper will discuss the issue in detail giving specific emphasis to the need of taking collaborative efforts in international levels to address the threat. This will also recommend some strategies to fight organized crime and human trafficking in the long run. Organized Crime and Human Trafficking: The Most Potential Threat to the Modern World Introduction The world has been under the threat of a few alarming menaces like international terrorism, organized crime, and human trafficking for the past few decades. People all over the world are experiencing fearful uncertainty posed by such threats. The most recent development in this regard is that organized crime, human trafficking, and terrorism have become the different facets of the same issue because many recent incidents have proven terrorists’ active involvement in organized crime and vice versa. To define, organized crime is the illegal activities performed under an organized system that intends to make profit. As Ghosh (1995, p. 6) defines, terrorism manifests itself standing for fighting religious, political, social and economic inequalities and exploitation. Human trafficking is one of the most potential markets where organized criminal groups flourish today. Organized Crime: An Overview Like any other business organization, organized criminal groups also have been keeping pace with the changes of these decades. To illustrate, they have undergone considerable shifts from conventional hierarchical criminal groups to some loose networks which operate together for exploiting new market opportunities. Many researchers attribute this change to globalization, for according to them, cross-border trade liberalization has broadened and diversified transnational crime activities too. The result is that new groups can engage in multiple criminal activities so as to enhance their monetary gains as well as their networks in the long run. The active presence of these groups has formed a new social system, which allows mutual services to be carried out by professional criminals. Admittedly, globalization has numerous benefits in terms of international trade and associated activities. However, the same advantages are accessible to transnational criminals including human traffickers and smugglers. As mentioned already, the apparent linkage between terrorists and transnational criminal groups intensifies the threat to a large extent. Unrestricted cross-border transaction along with the rampant growth of modern technology has benefited the transnational criminal groups in many ways. As Shelley and Melzer (2008) points out, today terrorists and transnational crime groups employ same technology, same operators, same systems, and same network to carry out their operations; and organized crime is so powerful to influence the industrial sectors of many of the developed countries. Human Trafficking Human trafficking is the practice of human trade for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, or cutting of organs and tissues for surgical needs. Human traffic may occur domestically or internationally. Human trafficking is a serious crime against individual liberty because it hurts the victim’s rights of movement through force or coercion. As already stated, human trafficking is the practice of human trade and hence the movement of victim from one place to another is not an essential feature of this crime. International conventions have identified human trafficking as the violation of human rights, and this crime is ‘subject to a directive in the European Union’ (Directive 2011/36/EU.,2011). A statistical analysis of the human trafficking data indicates how threatening the issue is. According to a report by International Labor Organization (as cited in Shared Hope, n.d.), there was an estimated global annual profit of $31.6 billion from human trafficking in 2005. In 2008, the UN reported that approximately 2.5 million people spread over 127 countries were identified to be the victims of human trafficking (UN News Center, 2008). According to a US government report, as of 2013, nearly 27 million men, women, and children become the victims of human trafficking at any given time and 18,000 people of that 27 million are trafficked into the US from over 50 countries (U.S Government Printing Office, 2011). As stated in Sharehope (n.d.), in the United States, domestic minor sex trafficking happens when US citizens or lawful permanent residents under the age of 18 are sexually exploited for commercial purposes such as pornography, prostitution, or erotic entertainment. The commercial element of sexual abuse is the key aspect that separates human trafficking from sexual assault or molestation. It is important to note that age of the victim is the central issue in case of minor sex trafficking. The law gives particular attention to the impacts of psychological manipulation as well as physical harms caused by the trafficker to gain control over the victims. Human trafficking was a serious issue in the United States until early 1960s when the issue of racism was on its peak. The US Congress was very much bothered about White slavery and this fear resulted in the formation of the White Slave Traffic Act of 1910, which made interracial marriage illegal. Following the passage of laws like Emergency Quota Act 1921 and Immigration Act of 1924, the intensity of human traffic considerably lessened in the country. The Bush Administration paid specific attention to fighting sex slavery in the US and worldwide, and spent an average of $100 million a year. Before the presidency of Bush, the Federal government had passed the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA). The TVPA provided a wide range of services to the victims of human trafficking and organized numerous awareness programs to enlighten public about the significance of abolishing this crime. The TVPA has also set some well structured standards that other national governments must abide by so as to receive US financial aid in fighting human trafficking. The TVPA was renewed in the years 2004, 2006, and 2008. The State Department publishes the Trafficking in Persons Report annually to evaluate the activities of US and other countries associated with ceasing human trafficking businesses, arresting traffickers, and rescuing and rehabilitating victims (cited in Soderlund, 2005). In addition to the governmental efforts to combat human trafficking, there are many other non-governmental organizations and social interest groups working to abolish the evils of human trafficking from the society. Polaris Project, a non-government organization founded by Derek Ellerman and Katherine Chon, is engaged in fighting human trafficking. This organization established the National Human Trafficking Resource Center to assist victims/others to report the cases of human trafficking and to receive information on this issue. In 2007, the US Senate declared January 11 as the national day of human trafficking awareness in an attempt to increase awareness of the issue. There are many national organizations like International Justice Mission (IJM) operating to fight human trafficking. IJM is a US based non-profit organization working to deal with human trafficking issues in developing countries of Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The organization works jointly with the local police and organizes brothel raids to rescue and rehabilitate the victims of human trafficking. Such non-government organizations receive strong financial assistance from the US government. Despite these strong government as well as non-government interventions, human trafficking still remains to be a serious issue in the US and other parts of the globe. Impacts on women and children In most cases, it is women who are trafficked for the purpose of prostitution. As Backer (2012) points out, United States has not been yet given enough emphasis to human trafficking issues although it has been very concerned about similar issues in other countries. Women from the vulnerable sections of society are trafficked either with their approval or otherwise. As Holman (208) points out, women from poorer countries are also smuggled into wealthier nations for this purpose. However, not all women are willing to enter this profession. Such people are confined to dark chambers with no food or water or are physically tortured until they agree to become commercial sex workers. Most of such activities are concentrated in urban areas. Hence, women reach transit points from here they are sent to various other centers for this trade. The number of women entering this trade is growing by leaps and bounds. In some cases like the former socialist republics, the number of women engaging in prostitution is rather high. Urban centers are places with huge floating populations. Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs) cater to this segment which in many cases is predominantly male. The existence of CSWs is a disincentive for family life among males. Marriage and family life are conveniently postponed due to the availability of sex. This prevents men from settling down with women in urban centers. Hence the sex ratio is to the disadvantage of women in metropolitan areas. However, the ratio of children among CSWs and other areas is considerably high. This is because prefer that the age of prostitutes to be as less as possible. It is here that the danger of pedophilia lurks. Children (boys included) are pushed into this trade which is as organized as adult prostitution. As Dennis (2008) notes, today, the male prostitute is usually depicted as a gay adult; and the argument in this regard is that ‘adolescent males cannot be coerced into sexual acts’ unless arousal occurs. The situation becomes compounded when child pornography is also included. Since pedophilia is illegal all over the world, it is masked through various means to escape the hands of law. In poorer countries, children are also used as cheap labor. Since, the wages to children are abysmally low, they are used in various sectors like construction, domestic work etc. Moral Debasement The high prevalence of CSWs in society tears the moral fabric of society. Women are reduced to commodities and are not respected in society. Prostitution opens up an immoral means of livelihood and a source of easy money for some. Agents and pimps use women to live off them. In the case of children, it becomes relatively easy to lure children by enticing them into prostitution. When an alternative life without too much effort opens up to people, they focus on making money. A settled life becomes a secondary concern to them thus striking at the very roots of society. Economic Issues Organized criminal groups make their income through trafficking human, weapons, dreadful explosives, and drugs. They involve in smuggling, sex rackets, money laundering etc. They have developed teams with their own highly equipped modern weapons and operating systems. Their direct and indirect involvements in the political affairs have become severe burden for many of the governments all over the world. Although formal financial system has undergone tremendous volatility several times, the growth of transnational criminal groups remains steady. In that sense, organized crime and human trafficking will create a parallel economy that can adversely affect the stability of the global economy in many respects. Saint Leo Core Value of community Saint Leo’s Core Values are founded on the UN concept of human rights. It gives much emphasis to individuals’ overall growth and wellbeing without any discrimination of race, religion or ethnicity. The University maintains a ‘student centered environment’ where personal dignity and human values are easily identified and admired. Elements like excellence, community, respect, personal development, responsible stewardship, and integrity constitute the core values of the University. The members of the University individually and collectively aim at excellence in terms of character, skills, knowledge, and leadership while abiding by the University’s mission, vision and goals. University ‘respects’ each and every individual’s uniqueness, talents, and dignity in order for ensuring knowledge sharing, cohesion, and friendly learning environment. Saint Leo University is committed to develop friendly Christian learning communities everywhere it serves when at the same time it ensures mutual trust and respect in order to create ‘socially responsible environments’. As part of its responsible stewardship, the University employs its resources for the overall development of the community so as to achieve its mission and goals. The university’s core values give specific emphasis to members’ personal development. Personal development in its real concept refers to the development of a person’s ‘mind, spirit, and body for a balanced life’. Finally, integrity as a core value intends that University members will adhere to the mission and goals both in words and deeds. (Source: Leo University Official Website). Recommendations Every country should establish a proper system to observe and prevent illegal immigrants and intruders. Governments should verify every organization’s financial source, fiscal policies, and transactions. Governments have to restrict the flow of charitable funds and donations to the organizations. The war against terrorism should be a war against organized crime too. Success is possible only if these threats are counted as the different dimensions of the same issue. With regard to the rehabilitation of victims, until people are given an alternative source of livelihood they will continue to work in the self-degrading profession of prostitution. The majority of CSWs are involved in this profession not by choice but because they have been forced into it or because they do not have a better alternative. In many cases, ignorance is what forces people into this sector. With proper and formal education, more avenues open up which closes prostitution as an option. Educated people cannot be easily forced into this trade and can revolt or react better to any form of coercion into this trade. When the moral fabric of society is endangered, there is more likelihood of people turning to such options. The family is the basis for society which should impart values to the next generation so that they can abhor prostitution. Children should be taught to respect women and not treat them as commodities. There is a need to strike at the very roots of organised trafficking. The number of people who are ignorant about the true purpose of trafficking and who would otherwise refuse such a profession is more. When such cartels are busted, their networks are also broken which prevents further damage. In many a case, political power and influence are used to sustain organised trafficking. This is an agreement for mutual benefits. It prevents traffickers from being punished for their crimes. It only encourages them to continue with renewed vigour in this profession. Hence, this nexus should be broken at the earliest. There are women and child rights activists who work with grit and determination to break trafficking networks. The police should co-ordinate with such groups and form a network for such groups so that many such activities can be prevented from continuing if not nipped in the bud. The above recommendations should be used simultaneously if the menace of trafficking is to be uprooted. A multi-pronged approach which involves the government, the law enforcers, activists and civil society is needed for this purpose. Conclusion The organized crime sector pervades various ills in the society. It encompasses drug abuse, extortion, terrorism and the like. A growing section of organized crime concerns that of human trafficking, which has taken epidemic proportions. Human trafficking has emerged as a lucrative trade in humans irrespective of age and gender. Research reveals the absence of coordination in law enforcement, especially in international level. Organized crime, more or less in the same way affects the social, economic, and political stability of the world. The major advantage that the transnational criminals enjoy is the absence of universally accepted measures to fight the threat. They make their income by every means like trafficking weapons, and dreadful explosives, trading drugs, involving in smuggling, operating sex rackets, money laundering etc. They have developed their own highly equipped teams with modern weapons and operating systems. Time is up for every government to take up the cudgels against these illegal groups to protect the people’s dignity, human rights, and the socio-economic stability of the nation. References Baker, C. N. (2012). The Influence of International Human Trafficking on United States Prostitution Laws: The Case of Expungement Laws. Syracuse Law Review, 62: 171–82. Core Values: St. Leo University. Retrieved from http://www.saintleo.edu/about/florida-catholic-university.aspx Directive 2011/36/EU. (2011). Official Journal of the European Union. Retrieved from http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:101:0001:0011:EN:PDF Dennis, J. (2008). Women are Victims, Men Make Choices: The Invisibility of Men and Boys in the Global Sex Trade. Gender Issues, 25: 11–25. Ghosh S.K. (1995). Terrorism, World under Siege. US: APH Publishing. Holman, M. (2008). The Modern-Day Slave Trade: How the United States should alter the victims of trafficking and violence protection act in order to combat international sex trafficking more effectively? Texas International Law Journal, 44 (99): 100-121. Shelley, L & Melzer, A. S. (2008). The Nexus of Organized Crime and Terrorism: Two Case Studies in Cigarette Smuggling. International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice, 38 (2): 1-21. Shared Hope. (n.d.). What is human trafficking? Retrieved from http://sharedhope.org/learn/what-is-sex-trafficking/ Soderlund, G. (2005). Running from the Rescuers: New U.S. Crusades Against Sex Trafficking and the Rhetoric of Abolition. NWSA Journal, 17 (3): 64-87. The U.S. Government Printing Office. (2011). Beast Practice and Next Steps: A new decade in the fight against human trafficking. House Hearing 112 Congress. Retrieved from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg66898/html/CHRG-112hhrg66898.htm US News Center. (2008). UN-backed container exhibit spotlights plight of sex trafficking victims. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25524&Cr=trafficking&Cr1 Read More