NCJ Number
229057
Date Published
2009
Length
140 pages
Annotation
This handbook is a compilation of international laws and good practices developed to combat human trafficking, and it provides guidelines for bringing national legislation into compliance with international standards for countering human trafficking.
Abstract
The introduction notes the seriousness of human trafficking as a "form of modern-day slavery." The premise for this handbook is that human trafficking must be recognized and punished by legislative means as a crime against human as well as state security. As such, legislation must address the prevention of trafficking, the prosecution of traffickers, and the protection of and services for trafficking victims. The first chapter presents the international legal framework for combating human trafficking, with attention to international treaties, regional treaty law, the national implementation of international human rights conventions, the link between the Trafficking in Persons Protocol and the Organized Crime Convention, and the role of national legislators in ensuring their nation's compliance with the international legal framework. The second chapter addresses the specifics of defining trafficking in persons in national legislation, followed by a chapter that discusses legislative provisions for criminalizing and penalizing all forms of trafficking in persons. The fourth chapter focuses on the importance of and legislative recognition of identifying trafficked persons as crime victims. The fifth chapter addresses the prevention of trafficking in persons. This chapter identifies factors that attract criminals to human trafficking and the features of legislation and community action needed in a comprehensive approach to preventing human trafficking. Chapter 6 features measures for combating human trafficking internationally. Topics discussed include the establishment of jurisdiction, extradition, mutual legal assistance, and law enforcement cooperation. The two remaining chapters address monitoring and reporting on anti-human trafficking activities, as well as the enhancement of the role of civil society in countering human trafficking. Appended international legal instruments, national legislation, model laws and bilateral and multilateral agreements, and national plans of action related to human trafficking