The International Legal Framework to Combat Human Trafficking

Abstract

The growing concern about organized criminal groups and operation that cross national borders led to an increasing number of countries to consider and adopt new laws, measures and strategies to deal with the problem of human trafficking the United Nations Protocol to prevent suppress and punish Trafficking in persons, especially women and children (2000) was the first international legal instrument to define trafficking in person and provide for a comprehensive approach to combat the problem. This protocol remains the primary source that defines state responsibilities in developing their national approach to combat, prevent and punish trafficking in persons while at the same time protecting the internationally recognized human rights of victims. This paper examines generally the international laws relating to human trafficking. The conclusion of this paper reveals that countries should work on producing greater information on human trafficking; this is necessary in order to enable all actors in combating human trafficking to design new laws and implement a more effective response.