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Authors: Ali Mohammed Al-Zaimoor 201000977, Muhannad Alabbassi 20900259, This report exclusively demonstrates an illustrative insight about the international human trafficking and smuggling operations in terms of the maritime transportation.
Table of Content 1
Page Number
Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………..2 1.1 Executive Summary …………………………………………………………………………2 1.2 The purpose of the Report ………………………………………………………………..3 1.3 Method of Research ……………………………………………………………………….…3
2
The Concept of Human Trafficking and Related Maritime- Activities ....4
3
Identifying Maritime Smuggling of Migrants ………………………………………5
4
Types of Vessels Utilized for Trafficking and Smuggling of People………6 4.1 Key Findings…………………………………………………………………………….………..7 4.2 Smuggling/ Trafficking Operations By Cargo and Container Ships ……….8
5
Human Trafficking Trade and Smuggling of People……………………………...9
6
Human Trafficking Sea Networks and Associated Interception Systems 12
7
Trafficking Flow in Africa and Middle East Region …………………….…………..16
8
Trafficking Maps ………………………………………………………………..……………………19
9
Insatiability in the Middle East and Its Outcomes in Smuggling ………………26
10
Involvement of International Organizations in Combating International Maritime Human Trafficking/ Smuggling of Migrants …………………………….29
11
Recommendations and Solutions to Curb Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants……………………………………………………………………………..31
12
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………34
13
References …………………………………………………………..…………………………………..35
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Introduction 1.1 Executive Summary The phenomena of human trafficking and smuggling of migrants is a global issue that pervasively affects every country in the world. Theoretically, this means that all countries involved in the maritime industry are vulnerable the illicit act of human trafficking, either as point of transit or the intended destination. Trafficking and smuggling of human beings and migrants have become a major concern for the United Nations (UN), and all the countries around the world because it is an inexorably existent dilemma that threatens the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and puts their lives in great risk. Primarily, the UN's protocols in regard to trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling are seen as effective methods and measures that are aimed to combat and eliminate modern day trafficking and smuggling of people. Nevertheless, apparently the two terms of Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants may be seen as identical and similar in terms of the criminal perspective; however, they have a relatively different notion that could be easily misinterpreted and confused.
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1.2 The purpose of the Report This report aims to analyze the issue of human trafficking and smuggling of people via maritime transportation around the world, it will also investigate the causes, repercussions of the mentioned topic considerably and provided detailed and inclusive data about various types of vessels utilized in both human trafficking and smuggling operations with integrated reasons as well as other factors associated with these operations.
Moreover, this report will attempt to convey inclusive information about the international organizations involved in the human trafficking and smuggling operations provided with maps, diagrams as well as the major problems and solutions to promote safety, encourage efficient maritime transport operations. Recommendations in regard to combating global human trafficking and smuggling of immigrants will be included as well.
1.3 Method of Research The information has been gathered through a range of sources which included websites, reading articles, class room discussions and work sheets. Furthermore, General information about maps and exhibits regarding human trafficking and smuggling was obtained from several worldwide websites and reports.
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2 The concept of Human Trafficking and related maritimeactivities According to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), human trafficking is mainly referred to as “The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.“ (UNODC, 2012). More formally, it means transporting people from one country, presumably (A) to another country (B) with the usage of coercion, force and often violence in order to exploit them for the purpose of laboring and prostitution. In this context, it has been reported that every year hundreds of thousands of people, mostly children and women are being victimized for traffickers who have revived the flagrant phenomenon of modern day slavery (UNODC, 2012)
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3 Identifying Maritime Smuggling of Migrants In the other way around, smuggling trade of people is another form of a deadly and extremely dangerous business that leads to fatal consequences and apprehension to both parties the victims and traffickers themselves . According to Article 3 of the Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), smuggling of migrants is defined as “The procurement, in order to obtain, directly or indirectly, a financial or other material benefit, of the illegal entry of a person into a State Party of which the person is not a national or a permanent resident .“ (UNODC, 2012). In other words, smuggling is the process of transporting people illegally from one country to another with the consent of the travelers themselves. This business is meant to generate maximum profits for traffickers, however, the smuggling activities involve high risk for both parties the people who are smuggled and the smugglers as well. In respect to the maritime smuggling of people, there is high probability that people might be suffocated in containers or exposed to the danger of ships or boats being sunk supposedly at sea. The main reason for the demand of smuggling is that people seek shelter and a better life beyond their territories in an unlawful method (UNODC, 2012).
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4 Type of vessels utilized for trafficking and smuggling of people In respect to the types of vessels that are used for smuggling of people, opinions and decisions might be subject to variation and discrepancy due to the inconstant and variable nature of smuggling and human trafficking by sea and other indicator factors that will be addressed briefly in the following paragraphs.
In a study implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),it has been demonstrated that there are many different types of vessels that could be used for smuggling people and these can range from small fishing boats to large container ships. Nevertheless, fishing boats and sailboats are considered as the most frequent and unrestricted means of maritime transportation for smuggling and human trafficking (UNODC, 2012).
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4.1 Key Findings Essentially, it must be noted that selecting the type of vessel is chiefly determined by other factors such as the length of the journey, the destination and the country aimed to reach. Furthermore, numbers of people being smuggled as well as the presence of naval ships and police coast guards in the regional and international water are some of the significant factors in regard to the selection of vessel's types (FATF Report, 2011). Another prominent reason that spurs traffickers to frequently opt general cargo and container ships for people trafficking trade is that some of these vessels have special specifications. For instance, there are many ships that are registered under flag-states that do not necessarily consider or perhaps impose effective regulations over controlling the movement of their merchant fleets and this seemingly is one of the biggest reasons for the predominant people smuggling throughout the world (FATF Report, 2011). In a study conducted by the International Labor Organization (ILO), in the year 2005, it was shown that more than USD 31.6 billion is the predicted annual profits with regards to the global human trafficking industry.
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4.2 Smuggling / Human Trafficking Operations by Cargo and Container Ships In a study about the international cargo and container movement carried out by the World Customs Organization (WTO) in 2009, it was emphasized that approximately more than 500 million maritime containers are trans-shipped per annum worldwide and only about 2 per-cent of which are exposed to inspection and this figure unfolds the seriousness and delicacy of this situation and the extent to which it imposes threats and danger to the safety of smuggled/ trafficked people and the global shipping industry as a whole . In this parallel, research has found that there other obstacles to the enforcement of effective and efficiently implemented law in regard to cargo inspection procedures such as the authorization of the related flag-state over conducting such safety and precautionary measures. In the other hand, the rules and regulations of operating in the international waters and commitment to the protocols and provisions of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have specific influences over the increasingly ongoing smuggling operations by various types of vessels.
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5 Human Trafficking Trade and Smuggling of People between Pakistan, I.R. Iran and East Africa
The human trafficking and smuggling of people is a highly global issue and yet no accurate date and figures have been released about this dossier. Therefore, it must be emphasized that the information provided in this report is tentative and based on annual reports issued by UNTOC, ILO, and UNODC.
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In regard to people trafficking and smuggling activities in the Middle East region, research has shown that the Pakistani ports and more explicitly the Gwadar port are seen as major sea routes and origins of people smuggling and other illegal trade activities which initially start from Pakistan moving through the whole Persian Gulf region to East African countries were demands for smuggling operations are substantially high.
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The findings of our research suggest that the major Pakistani and Iranian seaports are increasingly misused by traffickers to smuggle people to different countries in the region and also to further afield destinations. This existent problem is a vivid indication that smuggling is major issue that could seriously trigger further threats to the future of shipping industry and decline the sea trade operations significant.
Human Trafficking Statistics, U.S. State Department Report- 2011
It is estimated that more than 27 million adults and children victims of trafficking around the world.
Successful trafficking prosecutions: 4,239.
Successful prosecutions related to forced labor: 320.
Victims identified: 41,210.
Prevalence of trafficking victims in Central and South Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States: 4.2 per 1,000 inhabitants.
Victims of State Imposed Labor: 2.2 million.
Victims of Sexual Exploitation; 4.5 million.
Victims of Labor Exploitation: 14.2 million.
Cost of trafficking worldwide: $20 billion.
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6 Human Trafficking Sea Networks and Associated Interception Systems
Primarily and as mentioned earlier, smuggling of people is done via container ships and fishing or perhaps speedboats. However, it is mainly correlated with the distance and timings of the journeys, the intended location or destination as well as the quantity and numbers of people to be transported. For instance, traffickers and smugglers occasionally tend to use speedboats and other similar forms of maritime transportation to move people to South-East Africa trespassing UAE, Oman and Yemen (UNODC, 2012). Moreover, speedboats or fishing boats are frequently used for maritime people smuggling operations which are carried out elaborately with sophisticated means (FATF Report, 2011).
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Traffickers rarely face navigation problems because they are well-equipped well equipped and prepared with thee latest technological systems such as satellite phones and GPS devices. Consequently, this undermines the detection operations of the smuggled people significantly (FATF Report, 2011). 2011) The above map shows the major sea routes that are frequently used by smugglers to transport migrants from African Countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia and other neighboring countries to Europe. Moreover, the integration of intermodal transport system system is obvious in the process of smuggling and transit operation from one country to another (UNODC, 2012) 2012).
Human trafficking map 2011
According to the research conducted, it was found that origin countries of people being trafficked and smuggled are mostly from Russia, Thailand and other territories across China. In addition, it is noteworthy to mention Nigeria is the only country in the African continent that suffers from an extreme rate of human trafficking and smuggling compared to other countries within the same continent. Other destination countries include Australia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, German, Italy and the United States (International Organization for Migration ( IOM), 2008). According to a report issued by the ILO in 2012, it is estimated that more than 20.9 million people are trafficked/ smuggled per annum 800,000 of them are transported via sea for the purpose of force laboring or prostitution. This figure is clearly evident that it could results in serious repercussions on the economy, culture, social and even political aspects of countries involved (International Organization for Migration ( IOM), 2008).
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Map 1: This map indicates the major maritime smuggling routes from Pakistan and I.R. Iran to East and South-East South Africa
As shown in Map above,, some of the major and frequently operated sea trafficking routes between Pakistan and South South-East East Africa have been identified. The main reason for the culmination in the sea trafficking networks could be stemmed from the instability in some of the neighboring neighboring states such as Yemen and Somalia as well as the lack and insufficiency in the logistics and security services at sea (FATF Report, 2011).
7 Trafficking Flows in Africa and the Middle East Region
Reports from the International Labor Organization (ILO), suggest that the flow of trafficked people from Eastern African countries to Middle East region and Europe has been intensified over the last decade.
Primarily, as shown in the table above, countries countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Burundi are the most popular countries that are used as originated or destination countries. However, in this process some other countries are used frequently as transit points due to their geographic location that eases eases the smuggling of people by sea. For instance, a report released in 2003 by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), has indicated that most of Ethiopian women are trafficked to Europe and the Middle East countries through Kenya and Tanzania. In addition, addition, many Chinese women and Bangladeshis men are trafficked to these countries for the purpose of prostitution and force laboring (International Organization for Migration ( IOM), 2008).
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8 Map of the world indicating origin countries of trafficking in human beings
According to the UNODC report in 2006 on global patterns of human trafficking, it was demonstrated that the most frequent countries of origin include Central and East Europe, Russia, South East Asia, and West Africa.
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Map of the world indicating transit-point countries of trafficking in human beings
The above map shows the regions that are used as transit-points for the process of human trafficking worldwide. It is substantial to notify that trafficking of people is a multi-modal transport networks.
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Map of the world indicating destination countries of trafficking in human beings
The map shows the highlited countries in terms of human traffcking destinations. It include countries within North America commonly the United States of America, Asia and in particular West Asia region as well as Western Europe. It must be noted that the majority of human trafficking operations are carried out through sea transportatin.
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The map above shows both countries and regions where human trafficking is originated from and destined to. Reports and investigations have revealed that in regard to human trafficking is mostly originated from European countries including Russia and some other Baltic region states. Whereas, countries such as US, Turkey, Italy and some other few countries in Central Europe are the main destination countries for human trafficking.
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The act of human trafficking is generally operated by ships of all kinds; whether registered, international ships or basic fishing boats, or ferries across Northern Africa and the South of Italy; which is a major destination for the human trafficking industry.
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However, reports show that ferry links between Italy - as a dominant region for this industry, and North Africa from Tunisia is decreasing to recent efforts to combat ferry use in that region for purposes primarily regard People smuggling which sky-rocketed shortly after a series of revolutions across North Africa; alternatively, this also reduced one of the most basic means to traffic victims from countries within central and southern Africa to Italy and Eastern Europe (The council of The European Union, 2003, p. 39). Surveillance has imposed extreme conditions to restrict trafficking, many in which continue to fail to this day. The means of identifying victims of trafficking or smuggling is usually imposed through customs; which can be easily trespassed due to the victims' legal hold of their passports and all other means to give them a legal entry. In many other cases, fake papers produced by the victims employees - which is an illegal mean to enter a country, but it gives trafficking victims legal entry no different from the use of legal means. The most effective way to identify ships that smuggle traffickers is through border patrol control in routes which fall under suspicion for that kind of services, many in which have already been identified, such as the focal routes; straits of Gibraltar, Sicilian Channel, Canary Islands channels. The types of ships used were also another important factor to identify; and in the case of human trafficking, most boats responsible for the trafficking of people in these routes were Disposable Light Boats with low means of equipment and the process usually takes place at night-time. These ships are usually over-crowded, with no safety measures.
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Through constant efforts to identify traffickers’ means of smuggling people; from time to routes to types of boats; the trafficking of 48,000 victims was stopped in 2002 (The council of The European Union, 2003, p. 9). A "Virtual border" has also been introduced in the Mediterranean as a mean to restrict trafficking from going into Europe. Virtual borders consisted of security forces forming a check-point for suspicious ships crossing through routes used for trafficking (The council of The European Union, 2003, p. 53). This system also uses SIVE-Type surveillance system and treats the conditions of traffickers as it would with rescue missions at sea. SIVE-type Surveillance system is a radar system that detects illegal ship or boat activities at sea. The system is carried down by a custom authority. It has been implemented in Mediterranean countries such as Spain; where it coasted 7 Million Euros but overall reduced trafficking and human smuggling by 26% (SIVE coastal surveillance system arrives in Murcia, 2009). The "Virtual border" also extends to random parts of active trafficking routes; where petrol control carries information from the ILO, EUROPOL, EIC, and list of suspicious ships in order to identify the ships that need to be taken over by petrol control's Virtual Borders (The council of The European Union, 2003, p. 54).
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9 Instability in the Middle East and its outcomes in maritime smuggling One of the major current problems in the Middle East region is the Syrian conflict which has indispensably resulted in high number of smuggling operations with different means of transportation. In particular, maritime smuggling of migrants. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2012, it has been reported that every day hundreds of fugitives and asylum seekers are smuggled to the neighboring countries such as Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Cyprus and most recently to the European countries in the Mediterranean region. Most of which are smuggled by sea at night in order to avoid detection and customs and immigration charges (Mail Online News, 2012).
Tragedy: A diver cradles the body of a young girl after a boat carrying illegal immigrants trying to reach Europe capsized in waters off western Turkey.
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According to the Mail Online News issued on Nov 20, 2012, the Turkish maritime authorities and coastal guards have promulgated that about 60 illegal migrants from Syria have perished where their boat sank off near to the Turkish coastline. It was assumed that the fishing boat was heading heading to Europe. The fishing boat was carrying around 100 people most of whom were children and women, many people jumped off the vessel and swam to the shores and many others failed to do so and drowned, it is believed that they were crammed beneath the dec deck and therefore could not survive (Mail Online News, 2012).
Serach: Coast guards look for survivors after at least 58 illegal immigrants drowned near Izmir
Turkey is seen as a major transit and destination country in the Middle East region for illegal immigrants and especially due to the current civil war in Syria, the number of fugitives and immigrants have substantially increased which further questions the safety of maritime operations and the effectiveness of the international conventions such as the SOLAS in this highly dynamic and strategic maritime location in the world. This issue has to be examined carefully by the international organizations specifically the IMO to ensure reliable shipping operations and avoid inconsistency and instability in the maritime industry in that region which may possibly result in regional disputes and decline the shipping activities within the Mediterranean sea.
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10 Involvement of International Organizations in Combating International Maritime Human Trafficking/ Smuggling of Migrants
According to a research assessment of human trafficking conducted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), it has been clearly demonstrated that the organization has undertaken serious initiatives to work collaboratively and orderly
in line with other associated national and international
organizations such as the UN, IMO, UNODC including other non-governmental organizations to identify causes of human trafficking and smuggling. Subsequently, this will provide useful information and help countries to set up a holistic approach to effectively encounter this issue inclusively as well as to help eradicate the phenomenon of human trafficking and people smuggling internationally . However, it is highly substantial to include that human trafficking and smuggling issues are indisputably a global crisis and yet no convenient and adequate measures have been introduced or provided to track and eliminate its causes and effects on the security of international maritime movement as well as countries as a whole. Therefore, it must be acknowledged that effective researches and investigations based on previous seizure experiences of human trafficking/ smuggling by countries are increasingly required to integrate new methods of solutions and organize laudable criteria for imitating human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
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Particularly, in terms of the maritime perspective which is highly operated by traffickers and smugglers because it is considered as the easiest and lessrestricted mode of transportation. Moreover, it must be noted that further researches and rigid investigations are ought to be implemented by the UN and other embedded agencies and various sub-governmental institutions in a bid to provide a clear, standard and collective insight on regional, national and international statistics of maritime human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. For example, member states of the UN can help contribute significantly towards the elimination of human trafficking issues and seek out solution to proactively prevent and detect its occurrence. For instance, one of the important steps that have been taken in regard to human trafficking and smuggling by sea globally is the adoption of United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNCTOC) and its supplementary protocols. Other measures might include the UN resolutions number 55/25 issued in 2000 and 55/225 issued in 2001 which are aimed to systematically coordinate and identify solutions and measures against which efficient procedures can be carried out to combat human trafficking dramatically .
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11 Recommendations and Solutions to Curb Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants
The issue of human trafficking and smuggling of people is considerably seen as one of the major dossiers for the international community and governments, not only due its detrimental consequences and impacts on human beings and countries but because it is deemed as a crime against the entire humanity that must be dealt with and immediately halted. In this parallel, nations must withstand and effectively cooperate with each other and adhere to the international rules and regulations in order to seek absorb methods to curb human trafficking trade around the world. From the logistics and maritime perspective, smuggling and human trafficking could seriously damage the shipping industry due to many reasons most importantly the safety and security of the shipping operations and people also. This is because maritime transportation involves passenger and freight activities and therefore many regulations are notably intertwined with maritime trade. Furthermore, the issue of smuggling and human trafficking by sea is also a major concern for the IMO because it causes significant safety and security violations with regard to the maritime and shipping industry. Consequently, this could
increasingly
undermine
the
tremendously.
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international
maritime
operations
Moreover, the UN as a global governance organization should basically commit itself to monitor countries' approach and contributions and also urge member states to raise and expand social awareness campaigns, improve the economic conditions, provide employment opportunities and excellent educational system as well as strengthen law enforcement in order to relatively attempt to reduce human trafficking/ smuggling and apply more efficient and effective control performance.
The UN identifies Human Trafficking as an act of force and fraud in order to sexually exploit their victims. The involvement of fraud suggests that victims often pass through legal methods in all the processes within the transportation to their final destination. This applies to victims of trafficking that travel by sea, air, railway, road, multi-modal and all other means of transport.
This further complicates the combat of human trafficking under customs regulation due to the legal transportation of victims as well as the diversity of transport means. Human trafficking as a global problem cannot be prevented by the maritime industry alone.
Overall, this further establishes the differences between human smuggling and human trafficking whereas smuggling is entirely operated by illegal means and travel by sea is by far more common than air-transportation where security is tight. Human Smuggling also has a larger mortality rate within the process.
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The methods of Virtual borders are particularly successful against the smuggling of people; effort against human trafficking needs to be taken to a different level due to the legality of the individual’s transportation due to their victimization under a fraud, hoax work placement. Efforts against human trafficking from a maritime perspective can be widely improved through the customs inspection department. With time, suspicious sea routes were identified and this increased the ability to combat human smuggling, the same impact will take place towards human trafficking if suspicious workplaces were identified by through-out research of availability of work places, titles and backgrounds, and possibly the location of the workplace many visitors traditionally head to.
This can more effectively be identified through given information by the victims within the VISA process. This method can gradually reduce victims of trafficking and identify locations of suspected traffickers where legal action can be taken against traffickers under the laws of different states, and the overall power of trafficking by fraud and legal transportation means would be greatly reduced.
Combat methods against illegal trafficking by sea are generally improving, particularly with strategies such as the Virtual Border and means of identifying suspicious boats; restriction of trafficking victims through legal methods would impose traffickers to continue relying on illegal methods, which put traffickers at
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loss due to the high-risk situation particularly for mortality levels at sea and the advancing combat methods of border petrol such as the SIVE-type surveillance technologies.
12 Conclusion This report has been prepared to identify the key aspects in the maritime issue in regards of human trafficking, and people smuggling. The report has also provided the main sea traffic networks of the international human trafficking trade and the smuggling of immigrants around the world in regions such as the Middle
East,
Southeast
Asia,
Africa
and
the
Mediterranean
region.
Recommendations have been made to provide effective and new methods to combat on-going efforts by traffickers and smugglers to continue their organized and illicit operations.
Hence, it is vital that countries and international
organizations under the umbrella of the UN adopt methods by which they can reduce the effects of maritime smuggling and help to prevent it by providing a set of comprehensive and sophisticated technology systems to intercept such illegal activities swiftly.
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References SIVE coastal surveillance system arrives in Murcia. (2009, October 12). Retrieved from Typically Spanish: http://www.typicallyspanish.com/news/publish/article_23440.shtml FATF Report. (2011). Money Laundering Risks Arising from Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants. France: FATF Secretariat,. International Organization for Migration ( IOM). (2008). Human Trafficking in Eastern Africa . Switzerland: International Organization for Migration ( IOM). Mail Online News. (2012, Nov 20). Mail Online News. Retrieved Nov 2012, 2012, from Drowned trying to flee Assad the tyrant: Little girl among 58 dead refugees after boat sinks off the Turkish coast: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article2199182/Syrian-refugee-boat-horror-58-migrants-die-smugglers-vessel-sinksTurkish-coast.html The council of The European Union. (2003, September 19). Retrieved from http://www.ifmer.org/assets/documents/files/documents_ifm/st11490re01en03.pdf UNODC. (2012). Transnational Organized Crime. Retrieved Novermber 18, 2012, from Human Trafficking : http://www.unodc.org/toc/en/crimes/human-trafficking.html UNODC. (2012). UNODC. Retrieved Novermber 18, 2012, from Migrant Smuggling : http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/smuggling-ofmigrants.html?ref=menuside UNODC. (2012). UNODC. Retrieved November 18, 2012, from Human Trafficking: http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-humantrafficking.html?ref=menuside
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