UN Report Shows No Influx of Trafficking During World Cup

Poster Distributed in South Africa During the 2010 Soccer World Cup (Source: Counter Trafficking in Persons Desk)

22 October 2010

Integrated Regional Information Networks (Johannesburg) – The first report on the effect of the World Cup on sex trade, done by the UN Population Fund and South Africa’s Sex Worker’s Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), found that there was neither an influx of human trafficking or HIV infections during the 2010 World Cup. SWEAT and the South African Department of Justice found that there was no increase in human trafficking and there was a decrease in advertising of foreign sex workers. The report found that HIV prevention and anti-trafficking ad campaigns were not successful at prevention. The report found that ad prevention campaigns lacked proper research in demographics and implementation.

Source:

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=90855

(Reliability: 8/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No issue of bias or inaccuracy apparent in this source. No detail is given with respect to how pervasive the problem of human trafficking is prior to the World Cup in South Africa or if human trafficking is a problem for the World Cup at different international venues. This lack of information prevents the existence of a benchmark for South African human trafficking activity in the analysis. Subsequently, a difficulty exists in determining the level of effectiveness behind this joint UN effort.) 

Comment: In 2008, South Africa was considered a major destination nation for human trafficking in Africa. Many women and children are victimized into being trafficked into South Africa with promises of work, education, or marriage. Once brought into South Africa, victims are dispersed through the nations urban and rural centers. However, as of 2008, South Africa has begun to develop anti-trafficking legislation according to the nation's adoption of the UN's 2000 protocol against human trafficking. A 2004 report by South Africa's newspapers found that 900,000 victims are trafficked throughout Africa with 75% going into South Africa to serve as sex slave, child labor, or organ donors.  However, as the newspaper and other non profit humanitarian groups groups have stated, South Africa does not have an organized method for the study and statistical research of the number of victims entering the nation. Subsequently, the true scope or estimates of the problem in South Africa can not totally be considered as accurate or valid.


Source for Consideration:


http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain?page=country&docid=48ce1d5e1e&skip=0&coi=ZAF&rid=456d621e2&querysi=human%20trafficking&searchin=title&display=10&sort=date

 

 

UN Calls On EU For Trafficking Victims Reform

19 October 2010

OHCHR News (United Nations) – The UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Refugee Agency, UNICEF, the International Labor Organization, and the UN Development Fund for Women collectively called upon the EU to provide greater legal services, leniency to trafficking victims, and a new policy focus. The agencies want the EU to provide victims free and quality legal aid, leniency on illegal immigration charges, respect of non-refoulement in the courts and legislatures, and a right to not be forcibly returned to their native land. The agencies also want the EU trafficking policies and definitions that include gender and children issues. Jan Jarab, OHCHR Regional Representative for Europe, believes this call will influence the development of the proposed EU directive on human trafficking.

Source:

 http://www.hrea.org/index.php?base_id=2&language_id=1&headline_id=12196

(Reliability: 9/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No bias or inaccuracy apparent in source. The source does not provide any information which explains how EU legal reform would combat the growth or existence of trafficking in the EU.)

Comment: The call for reform by these agencies continues to reinforce the general idea that government action is a force upon human trafficking activity. In this case, the increase of rights would deter human trafficking growth. However, as seen in the presentation by Mr Cdebaca and the September Asia Pacific Conference, no clear statement or prediction can be made as to what specific type of government action mostly influences the state of human trafficking. Yet, as this is the third such event which emphasizes legal type of solution, one could conclude that a pattern has emerged. In essence, the UN will recommend some type of legal action be taken by governments to deter human trafficking. However, no common legal action has been found in these recommendations. 

UNICEF Reports An Increase In Child Trafficking In Haiti

21 October 2010

UNICEF News (Port-Au-Prince) – UNICEF reports an influx of child trafficking from Haiti into the Dominican Republic caused by the poor economy and infrastructure caused by January’s earthquake in Haiti. UNICEF reports that child trafficking levels exceed the means of Haiti’s Brigade for the Protection of Minors (BPM) in four border sites with the Dominican Republic. UNICEF plans to financially and administratively reinforce the Ministry of Social Affairs along with a training of BPM inspectors and guiding the development of trafficking laws. UNICEF found that traffickers obtain children with promises to parents of a better life for their children.

  
Source:

http://www.unicefusa.org/news/news-from-the-field/haiti-protects-its-border.html

(Reliability: 9/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No issues of bias or inaccuracy apparent in the source. No reference is provided as to the extent of UN financial or administrative support will be provided to Haiti. This information may provide clues as to how pervasive the problem of child trafficking is in Haiti (subsequently providing a baseline for future comparison of UN effectiveness) or how badly damaged Haitian anti-trafficking infrastructure has been damaged.)


Comment: At present, Haitian families have been forced by the circumstances of the earthquake to find secure locations for their children. Many parents place children in the care of residential care facilities or placed in outside labor groups for family financial support. In many instances, children find themselves orphans as their parents died or been separated from the earthquake. Hospitals and orphanages attempt to care for these children yet the damage done to government infrastructure has caused traffickers to take advantage of these children. Consequently, traffickers have found ways to manipulate families and government officials into granting custody to traffickers via adoption or medical assistance. 


Source for consideration:


http://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMp1001820

(New England Journal of Medicine)

Haiti's Prime Minister Discusses Child Trafficking Causes Post Earthquake (Source: CNN-January 27, 2010)

Kenya To Give Trafficked Somalis To UNHCR

Dadaab Refugee Camp as it appeared in February of 2009 (Souce: UNHCR)

19 October 2010

Xinhua News Agency (Mombasa) – Kenya’s government will hand over 32 trafficked Somalis to the UN Refugee Agency after a 3 month prison term for illegal entry into the nation. The Kwale Regional Magistrate also ruled that the trafficked Somalis may have to be returned to Somalia or the Dadaab refugee camp after being handed to the UNHCR. The 32 Somalis will join 64 other imprisoned Somalis who also were trafficked into Kenya in an attempt to escape the poor economy and violence of Somalia. Leo Nyongesa, Coast Provincial police chief, maintains that police are very close to catching the leaders of the Somali human trafficking ring.  

Source:

http://www.coastweek.com/3342_kwale.htm

(Reliability 8/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No issue of inaccuracy in this source. As the source, Xinhua News Agency, is under the direction of the Chinese government, the possibility exists that the information stated may be under the scrutiny or direction state policy. However, as the information stated conforms with existing information provided by non-biased sources, the influence of this potential bias can be minimized to the point of rating the source with a score of 8.)

Comment: The determination of the court to hand over the Somali prisoners to the UNHCR echos the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reinforcement conclusion reached in the September analysis of UNODC assistance in Kenya. In the September analysis, a conclusion was reached which stated that the UNODC might have to provide greater reinforcement of infrastructure in order to lessen Kenya's burden and maintain Kenyan legal action against traffickers. The fact that Kenya has chosen the UNHCR to temporarily assist the Kenyan refugee and legal system and proposed the idea of deportation indicates that Kenya may no longer want to endure the trafficking/refugee burden. Thus, the UNODC may have to increase its direct infrastructure efforts rather than encourage Kenyan progress. Future developments will confirm or reject this contention.   

Arab States Attend UN Organized Crime Conference

Arab Delegates at Fifth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime Conference on October 21, 2010. (Source: UNODC)

18 October 2010

Kuwait News Agency (Vienna) – Several Arab states plan to discuss Middle East plans to combat human trafficking and assist its victims in the region at the UN’s organized crime conference. Aside from discussing enforcement of the UN protocol against human trafficking at the regional and global level, the Arab states plan to hear a report on the financial support given to the Doha Arab Initiative by Qatar and Norway next Thursday. At the conference, the Arab states will discuss implementation of the latest scientific and administrative methods used in victim support. The Arab states also plan to create a dialogue with experts in order to raise regional awareness.

Source:

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/160892/t/Arabs-eye-initiative-to-combat-human-trafficking-in-Middle-East/Default.aspx

(Reliability: 7/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No issue of bias or inaccuracy apparent in this source. The largest problem with source resides in the vagueness of implementation. No reference is made as to the level of implementation the Arab states would take to combat trafficking.)


Comment: This Arab conference is the first event which reinforces the incorporation analysis made during the Lillie Conference. The statement made by representatives that recommendations and information exchanges will be incorporated into national policy reinforces the earlier conclusion that UN conferences are affective at altering the direction of anti-trafficking efforts. Unfortunately, the vagueness in the incorporation statement, specifically with respect to the level of incorporation, leaves one unanswered question: What level of incorporation will occur at the individual national level? Due to the fact that nations are limited by policy priorities and resources, conference nations may not be able to achieve a uniform level of incorporation (this may be a potential reason for a lack of stated procedures of incorporation during conferences). Subsequently, one must track the actions of individual participants in order to track the level of effectiveness of UN conferences at the individual level.

US Envoy Shows Victim’s Legal Plight At UN Conference

U.S. State Department Ambassador-at-Large, Luis Cdebaca (Source: UNODC)

19 October 2010

Associated Press (Vienna) – Luis Cdebaca, U.S. State Department Envoy, showed the legal plight faced by human trafficking victims to a UN conference against organized crime. Cdebaca explains that nations that enact anti-trafficking laws also target trafficking victims for quick deportation. Cdebaca maintains that this trend is seen with nations that have recently adopted anti-trafficking laws. Marieke Van Doorninck, Advisor for Public Affiars for La Strada International, maintains that nations adopt anti-trafficking laws as a rationale for anti-immigration laws.

Source:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jSA68e0TN37tkJ7Jx_PKFtRv8Zow?docId=4877597

(Reliability: 6/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No apparent issues of bias or inaccuracy in this source. The low rating of 6 for this source stems from the lack of information with regards to the geographical extent of stringent immigration law application on victims. There is also little information provided on the participants or nature of the conference. While this particular conference is more than likely an extension of the UN Organized Crime conference, information regarding the participants of this session would give clues as to reach of this immigration law problem.)


Comment: The report given by Mr. Cdebaca appears to reinforce the idea presented by the September Asian-Pacific conference which maintained that migrants are highly vulnerable targets for trafficking. Additionally, Mr. Cdebaca's identification of government regulations as a cause of trafficking echos the conclusion reached by the Asian-Pacific conference. While Mr. Cdebaca's identification of regulation contrasts the conferences identification of victim aid, the theme of government action resonates. Subsequently, future conferences must be monitored to determine if the nature and frequency of government actions can be considered a force for trafficking.

UNODC Director Shows State Of Global Human Trafficking

Exec. Dir. of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Yury Fedotov (Source: Life)

18 October 2010

Agence France-Presse (Vienna) - Yury Fedotov, Executive Director for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), showed the strength of global human trafficking activity and called for government action against organized criminal groups through policy development and cooperation. Fedotov explained that human trafficking is the second highest revenue source for organized crime at an estimated revenue of 10 billion USD. Fedotov believes the state of organized crime, including human trafficking, comes from criminal utilization of globalization. Fedotov believes the solution is in increased utilization of 2000 UN Convention Against Transnational Crime and legislation/policy, and international law enforcement and legal cooperation in areas such as extradition.

Source:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Organized+crime+generates+billion+annually+UNOD/3688349/story.html

(Reliability: 6/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No issues of bias or inaccuracy in this source. The low score of this source primarily reflects the fact that the Exec. Dir. Fedotov's statements are exceedingly vague with respect to causes and solutions to human trafficking. The lack of precision and detail in solutions and causes prevents an accurate reflection of the priorities and views of the UNODC. Since there is little detail on specific issues from globalization or solutions of legislation/policy, one does not know where exactly the UNODC places specific emphasis on particular causes and solutions.) 


Comment: The presentation made by Dir. Fedotov has indicated the existence of a new force affecting human trafficking activity: globalization. The statement made by Dir. Fedotov is vague with respect to what elements of globalization (transportation, communication, finance, etc.) is being utilized by traffickers. Subsequently, it is difficult to determine what specific element, if any, of globalization the UNODC believes is a major contributing force to trafficking growth and activity. The one vague reference made to extradition as a solution gives further reinforcement to the contention that globalization is a factor in trafficking activity. Moreover, the extradition and legal/legislation recommendations further reinforce a September analysis which maintains that the UNODC will likely focus on legal infrastructure and policy to combat traffickers. 

UN Trafficking Conference Focuses On European Activity

Participants at the Lillie, France Trafficking Conference (Source: UNHCR)

11 October 2010

UNHCR News (Lille) – The UN Refugee Agency, along with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), held a conference with French government officials and UK law enforcement/NGO agencies about the growth of human trafficking activity in the region and need for victim support. The UN Refugee Agency and the IOM stressed the need to focus on traveling children vulnerable to trafficking while French and UK officials discussed how Northern France acts as a funnel for trafficking activities into the UK. French and UK NGO’s stressed the need to maintain support services and protection for victims in order to deter re-trafficking of the same victims. The NGO’s also stressed that migrant workers and women from Eastern Europe, China, Vietnam and other Asian nations are likely to be exploited and transported in along the Northern European/French/UK route.

Source:

http://www.unhcr.org/4cb315c96.html

(Reliability: 8/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No bias or accuracy issues with this source. The primary fault with this source is the lack of detail on discussions about the Northern France/U.K. human trafficking route. No information is provided as to how strong this route is or why it is utilized. Additionally, no information is provided as to the level of priority French and U.K. officials will provide to deterring the use of this route. The lack information with respect to the French/U.K. commitment to deterring the Northern France route limits analysis on the effectiveness of U.N. conferences.)

Analysis: As has been demonstrated in the need for trafficking information in Laos, the exchange of trafficking strategy and information by international officials has the same developmental effect on trafficking combat. The exchange of information allows officials to learn of new combat strategies and developments in criminal trends. However, the greatest benefit of U.N. conferences is the demonstration of new and important developments which may not have been known by participants. The two previous conferences (the September Asia-Pacific conference and this month's NGO conference) were all successful at bringing attention to new issues and recommendations to participants and other interested parties. As this trend continues in this latest conference, its highly likely that the conclusions and information developed at the conference and subsequent conferences will lead to eventual incorporation in regional and national policies, legislation, and tactics against trafficking and motivation to continue to attend these conferences will continue to exist. Moreover, U.N. conferences will highly likely produce at least one new focus or aspect of trafficking in the mentality of participants and other interested parties. 

     However, another trend is visible among these U.N. conferences with respect to implementation of conclusions and recommendations. Both the Asia-Pacific and NGO conferences did not have evidence within them which exhibited a level of commitment for execution on conclusion and recommendations. The same trend exists with this conference as participants did not mention any level of commitment to the execution of any of these conclusions and recommendations. Subsequently, one can not make a clear prediction as to the operational effectiveness of this or previous conferences. With a quantifiable statement of commitment of commitment, one can make a clear prediction as to what level of execution participants will take to implement conclusions. However, one can only state at this point that future conferences and national actions will determine the operational effectiveness of U.N. conferences.   

UN/NGO Forum Calls For Coordination To Fight Human Trafficking

Joy Ezeilo (Left) with UN Inter-agency Project on Human Trafficking Project Manager, Matthew Friedman at the Dakar Conference (Source: UNIAP)

07 October 2010

UN News Centre (Dakar) - Joy Ezeilo, Special Rapporteur on Human Trafficking, led the 1st UN backed forum of multi-regional NGO’s on the issue of coordinating a plan to fight human trafficking and aid victims. The forum agreed that global NGO’s should coordinate their resources and plans in order to maximize resources for common use by NGO’s, reduce redundant plans, and reduce the burden governments endure in considering multiple NGO needs. Ezeilo called on the present NGO’s to ensure that the coordinated plan be non-conditional, responsive to and consider the human rights and gender/age issues of trafficking victims.

Source:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=36363&Cr=trafficking&Cr1=

(Reliability: 9/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No bias or inaccuracy is visible in this source. However, the 9 score is a result of a lack of detail on how NGO's will coordinate their efforts and if the UN will facilitate the coordination.)

Analysis: The lack of information regarding how NGOs are expected to coordinate their efforts prevents an accurate prediction or analysis into the success of this latest UN effort. Information regarding the requirements necessary for coordination would assist in determining the likelihood of NGO inter-coordination and cooperation. If the requirements are overly stringent (to the point of limiting the mission or execution of the specific NGO's stated goals and agenda), broad in scope, or cause a net financial loss, it is highly unlikely that non-profit NGOs will fulfill the UN call. If the requirements are successful at balancing the resources of NGOs with cooperation/coordination and individual missions, then it is highly likely that non-profit NGOs will welcome and provide assistance to fellow NGOs. Additionally, the lack of information regarding UN support and reinforcement for this plan limits the prediction. As major influence on NGO activities and cooperation, the UN has the potential to reinforce this plan with continual support and evaluation. Yet, as no mention of UN follow through is provided, one is left missing a critical piece of analytical and predictive information. However, since no information is provided into the exact requirements or specifications for this coordination/cooperation plan, one can not predict the level of success or failure of this UN effort. Continued activity for this plan will determine its level of success and provide details for these two missing pieces of information.

UN GIFT Announces 12 Recipients Of Financial Grants

04 October 2010

UN GIFT (United Nations) – The United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking’s (UN GIFT) Small Grants Facility Programme chose 12 civil service organizations (CSOs) to get financial aid for their victim support plans. The chosen CSO’s focus on victim support, empowerment for the vulnerable, cooperation with NGO’s, and evidence collection. The CSO’s financial aid distribution and selection were prioritized by the income level of the CSO’s nation of operation. The CSO’s are based in Afghanistan, Albania, Brazil, India, Ireland, Laos, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, Togo, Ukraine, and Macedonia and all have begun to use the funds in their victim support plans.

Source:

http://www.ungift.org/knowledgehub/stories/october2010/the-final-12-small-grants.html

(Reliability: 9/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No inaccuracy visible in this source. The 9 score for this source was given for a potential bias in the report. As the source of this information is the UN, a certain level of politics may have been involved in a potential suppression of information. The source does not mention any other criteria (such as UN policy urgency, diplomatic relations, etc.) for grant selection. The possibility exists that the fund may have utilized other non-disclosed criteria in its selection process since some of the nations listed (Afghanistan, Laos, Thailand, and Ukraine) are all hot spots for trafficking activity. The selection of CSO's in these nations may have been, as mentioned, out an attempt to quickly improve anti-trafficking efforts or establish better UN relations. In order to prevent a sense of preference among nations, the UN may have suppressed such criteria in its public statements. However, as this contention can not be proven, the contention must be relegated as a possibility, must not greatly impact the reliability of the source, and be slightly considered in future analysis.) 

UN Finds Laotian Trafficking Is Under Reported

06 October 2010

Integrated Regional Information Networks (Vientiane) – Xoukiet Panyanouvong, UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP) coordinator in Laos, reported that internal trafficking is under reported in Laos due to poor government action and public knowledge of the crime. Thanaporn Michaud, a representative of the International Organization of Migration, echoes Panyanouvong’s report by citing underfunded law enforcement/social services and the lack of a national plan for fighting trafficking and creating a definition for victim protection. UNICEF maintains that Laotians are unaware of the difference between trafficking and migrant work. Victoria Juat, UNICEF’s chief of child protection in Laos, maintains the growth of transportation and communication infrastructure in rural areas, utilized by migrant workers, has increased internal trafficking through worker exploitation.

Source:

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=90684

(Reliability: 9/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No bias or inaccuracy issues involved with this source. The source's reliability score fails to achieve a perfect score on the basis that no mention is made of alternative sources for Laos poor law enforcement and social service performance. The possibility of lack of motivation by the Laotian government is not mentioned. Information on Laos level of motivation for improvement or current state of action would affect the direction of analysis with respect to UN efforts in Laos and human trafficking in general.)

Comment: The need for accurate reports on human trafficking activity has proven to be very useful for several nations with respect to prosecutions and law enforcement strategy. The information provided by trafficking victims can be essential in the location of traffickers and in understanding their tactics and strategy (movement, networks, methodology in transportation/victim capture, etc.). While not mentioned in the UNIAP report, the assistance provided to trafficking victims can motivate victims to provide cooperation and information to authorities about traffickers. Moreover, the information provided by victims can be essential in the development of public education about human trafficking. Considering the potential for public and government gain from reports on trafficking activity, a clear motivation for the UN desire to conduct and demand national, regional, and international studies on trafficking becomes apparent and useful in later analysis. 


Source for Consideration:


http://www.humantrafficking.org/combat_trafficking/prosecution

UN Rights Expert Advises Kurdistan To Prevent Trafficking Of IDPs

Walter Kalin (left) meeting with Nuri al-Maliki, Iraqi Prime Minister on September 29, 2010 (Source: Reuters)

03 October 2010

UN News Centre (United Nations) – Walter Kalin, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), called on Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to reduce human trafficking risks by making administrative changes and giving financial aid to about 30,000 IDP Kurds to ensure stable settlement. Kalin believes the poor economy and violence in the KRG place Kurdish IDPs in risk of trafficking during the search for a home and higher income. Kalin maintains the KRG should give financial aid to poor Kurds in search of a home in the region. Kalin also maintains the KRG make administrative changes that ensure land and housing exist for Kurdish refugees unwilling/unable to return, strengthen reception areas for new outside IDPs and regulation of social services for returning IDPs. 

Source:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=36325&Cr=Iraq&Cr1=

(Reliability: 9/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: No bias or inaccuracy apparent in source or information. However, the 9 score rating reflects a lack of detail in what specific administrative changes are needed in administrative changes. Moreover, there is no mention to the time line needed to accomplish these reforms. Consequently, aside from the quantitative measure of urgency [30,000 IDPs], there is no qualitative or policy sense of urgency apparent.)


Analysis: Mr. Kalin's report seems to be the latest echo of the UN strategy against human trafficking. There appears to be a faint to moderate resemblance to Mr. Mahiga's recommendations to the international navies in the Africa. Two forces of human trafficking identified so far have been poor economic conditions, as expressed by Mr. Mahiga, and infrastructure, which has also been identified by both Mr. Mahiga and the UN Office of Drugs and Crime director Yuri Fedotov. Thus, one can conclude that economics and infrastructure are highly likely to be determining factor in the existence and growth of human trafficking activities. 

     A third potential force may exist in the form of national legislation and policy. The September 24th UN Asia-Pacific Forum identified the current state of immigration laws and policies as a contributing factor on human trafficking. Mr. Kalin's report echo's this policy concern with respect to housing and aid. However, one can not yet determine one specific area of policy and legislation, with respect to reform or addition, has a greater effect than another. In this specific case, I can not make the determination if housing law reform has a greater or lesser affect on human trafficking than immigration reform. Moreover, I can not determine which legislative reform has a greater UN priority for reform. Continued activity from the UN will provide more insight.    

UN Envoy Advises Coordination Against Trafficking Pirates

Augustine Mahiga briefing reporters about Somalia on August 8, 2010 (Source: Associated Press)

28 September 2010

UN News Centre (United Nations) – Augustine Mahiga, the General-Secretary’s Special Representative for Somalia, advised the International Contact Group on Somalia (ICG) that the fight against African pirates should depend on a balance of government infrastructure building and military action in Somalia. Mahiga maintains that the restoration of Somalian government infrastructure needs international naval forces fighting pirates to aid Somalia's and relevant UN program's political and humanitarian needs. Mahiga adds that international naval forces must consult and work with the African Union’s Somalian peacekeeper’s (AMISOM), Transitional Federal Government (TFG), and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) land-based campaign against pirates and fight to control key ports and the coast. Mahiga maintains that the long term solution to fighting piracy growth is offering economic development and alternatives to pirates and potential pirates in pirate controlled areas.

Source:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=36244&Cr=somali&Cr1=

(Reliability: 9/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: The source shows no signs of bias or inaccuracies. However, no detail is provided with respect to which specific UN programs require assistance or consultation with the international navies. This specific detail would allow for a much more accurate prediction as one could see what specific infrastructure or UN efforts require assistance and are considered priorities for the General Secretary's office.)


Analysis:While Mr. Mahiga's UN reinforcement/consultation suggestion is vague with respect to which agencies, the overall report seems to fall in line with the September 23rd Kenyan plan suggested  by the UNODC Exec. Dir. While the plan suggested by Dir. Fedotov is focused on legal infrastructure, the fact that Mr. Mahiga's plan to support infrastructure in general would indicate that the UN, in general, has a common strategy against trafficking through infrastructure rebuilding. As the representative of the Office of the Secretary General, it follows that Mr. Mahiga's recommendations fall in step with the general plan against human trafficking held by the Secretary General. Consequently, it is highly likely that any stated plan proposed by UNODC with the regards to anti-trafficking efforts reflects a wider UN strategy against human trafficking. However, because no detail was given as to the priority held by the Secretary General's office to specific efforts or if this recommendation extends beyond this particular region of Africa, one can not label this prediction to all regions of the world and all specific anti-trafficking efforts. 

UNODC Praises Gabon’s Entry Into UN Treaties On Trafficking

Gabon's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paul Toungui (Left) officially recognizes Gabon's Accession to Anti-Trafficking Protocol (Source: UN Treaty Collection)

25 September 2010

The Mail (United Nations) - Gabon’s government signed 2 UN treaties designed to fight and deter human and arms trafficking. The 2 treaties are part of the 2000 UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and falls under the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) authority. The human trafficking treaty provides an internationally accepted and binding definition for the crime and recognizes the human rights of victims. Yuri Fedotov, UNODC Executive Director, believes that Gabon’s treaty signing will provide stability to Central Africa by Gabon’s pledge to deter and fight the expansion of both crimes.

Source:

http://accra-mail.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24297:un-anti-crime-body-lauds-gabons-accession-to-trafficking-treaties&catid=70:africa&Itemid=219

(Reliability: 6/10)

Comment: (Source Reliability: The source receives a 6 rating because of the fact that no information is provided into Gabon's motivation for entry into the protocol or detail into Director Fedotov's contention into why this entry equates to a safer Africa. The lack of detail into Gabon's motivation limits the ability to deduce forces responsible into the entry (diplomatic pressure, domestic demand, leadership agenda, etc.) or the effectiveness of  UN efforts in or around Gabon and its government. Director Fedotov's statement of a safer Africa from this entry proves to be vague. One can not determine if this statement means an increased UN role or influence in Gabon or a stronger Gabon policy on trafficking. A rationale for this statement not provided in this source as well.)


Comment: A June 2010 report from the US State Department listed Gabon within the Tier 2 watch list of nations with respect to human trafficking. Consistent with the Tier 2 watch list definition, Gabon has been making reforms to improve anti-trafficking policies, trafficker prosecution, and victim protection as of 2009. Gabon remains a Tier 2 watch list nation due to the fact that little has been done to curb trafficking and little has been done to study the scope of Gabon human trafficking activity. Progress which has been made in prosecution has been seen in policy and legislation yet there has been little activity in prosecution. However, Gabon has made progress in victim protection and prevention. 
     
     As international diplomacy in terms of aid or economic relations in part is based on a nation's actions against trafficking, it is possible that Gabon's entry into the UN convention could be an attempt to gain positive attention and eventual contact with the international community. The statement made by Director Fedotov maybe evidence to that possibility. However, because of the lack of detail into Director Fedotov's statement and lack of statements from the international community to that respect, no level of confidence can be given to this prediction. Consequently, this predicted motivation is a hypothesis with very little evidence which does not give any level of likelihood which disproves or approves it.