For my research project, I will be focusing on human trafficking in Asia. Human trafficking is a human rights violation and one of the biggest transnational crimes. While human trafficking occurs all over the world and in different forms (sex trafficking, labor trafficking, organ trafficking), Asia has particularly high numbers of human trafficking. This topic has been something I have always had an interested in since high school. Within my research I hope to go in depth about how/why it occurs, the victims, what is being done, etc.
One of the articles I choose to support my research it titled Cross-Border Trafficking in Nepal and India-Violating Women’s Rights. The author, Tameshnie Deane, examines the reasons for trafficking in Nepal and India, the many different ways victims are trafficked, and what types of laws are in place to protect victims and punish violators. Deane (2010) mentions that one of the main reasons for trafficking is due to the supply and demand relationship that is present between traffickers, participants and victims. In areas like Nepal and India, there are massive amounts of poverty. There are little or no work opportunities within the area. Trafficking occurs in these conditions. Traffickers prey on the misfortunes of others. Deane (2010) says that traffickers go to these communities and make false promises of work opportunities in other areas. Deane (2010) also uncovers that there has been a trend of young educated girls being victims as well. After hearing these false promises, victims agree to leave the trafficker in hopes of a better life only to be stuck in a never ending system. A majority of the victims are women and children. They are usually forced to work in the sex industry. A majority of the victims are trafficked to/through Mumbai, the largest city in India. It is known as a transit and destination city. Due to the Nepal and India sharing a border, Deane (2010) suggests that it is a leading factor to the amount the trafficking that occurs within the area. Both countries have an open border agreement. This makes it easier for traffickers to exploit victims.
In both countries, there are laws in place the regulate human trafficking. Nepal as three domestic laws in place to address the trafficking of young girls. These are the Labor Act of 1992, the Human Trafficking Control Act of Nepal of 1986 and the National Human Rights Commission Act of 1993. While these laws are in place, traffickers have able to find loop holes. For example, “The Trafficking Act of 1986 provides protection against the explicit buying and selling of human beings for any purpose but does not cover the recruitment by deception for the purposes of bonded labor unless it’s for prostitution” (Deane 2010:504) Deane (2010) also mentions that both countries do not enforce the law when it comes to trafficking. This has contributed increasing rates of trafficking.
Deane (2010) concludes by mentioning that there have been many activist groups that are involved to fight against human trafficking for example, The Women Law and Development and Human Rights Watch. The researcher also suggest that society needs to be sensitive to the issues women and children face within human trafficking. They also suggest that programs such as rehabilitation and witness protection should be present and laws need to be fully enforced.
Deane, Tameshnie. 2010. “Cross-Border Trafficking in Nepal and India—Violating Women’s Rights.” Human Rights Review 11(4):491–513.