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.