Human Trafficking
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Human Trafficking is the illegal trade of people for forced labor and/or sexual exploitation. It is a form of slavery, a practice that has existed since the beginning of civilization, yet has a shorter history than its parent group. This network of trading women and children became the center of attention after the anti-white slavery movement. While the term is used in various circumstances, it is generally defined as the force of white women and girls into prostitution, through physical and psychological means. Since it is a form of inferior bondage, it is closely related to the enslavement of black people and minorities. Both have similar qualities in terms of torture, fear, and violence. Therefore as with the rise of anti-white slavery, it reflected anti slavery as a whole. Slavery has always been used above other reasons as an economic incentive. This idea gave birth to human trafficking for sexual exploits as it was a way to over power women and children, the most vulnerable, for personal and financial pleasure.
Articles 1-7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provide equal treatment, rights, and protection for everyone. This issue violates above all, articles 4 and 5, as it involves the torture of people. The victims are reduced to an inferior object as they are seen as an economic value rather than a human being. While under the control of their traffickers, they are abused and deprived of basic human needs. While there are various ways in which this system operates, some cultures even support the trade. For instance in Ghana, human trafficking for sexual exploits is a tradition called Trokosi. In this custom, the victims are considered sex slaves of God and are regarded as religious compensation for a crime (regardless of its extent) that a relative has committed.
Articles 1-7 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provide equal treatment, rights, and protection for everyone. This issue violates above all, articles 4 and 5, as it involves the torture of people. The victims are reduced to an inferior object as they are seen as an economic value rather than a human being. While under the control of their traffickers, they are abused and deprived of basic human needs. While there are various ways in which this system operates, some cultures even support the trade. For instance in Ghana, human trafficking for sexual exploits is a tradition called Trokosi. In this custom, the victims are considered sex slaves of God and are regarded as religious compensation for a crime (regardless of its extent) that a relative has committed.
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This global issue has not been fully addressed. While there has been steps to accommodate and acknowledge the problem, no real action has been taken. However there has been organized conferences by the governments such as one in 1904 in which the International Agreement for the suppression of the white slave traffic was signed. This mostly aimed at protecting migrant women and girls from criminal traffickers. Later in 1910, thirteen countries signed the international convention for the suppression of the white slave trade. This aimed to criminalize the trade to be illegal. Locally, organizations such as the Polaris Project, founded by two Brown University alumni's, help raise awareness and advocate protection of victims and criminalization of prostitution and brothels to find and prosecute traffickers. This program was founded by two Brown University alumni's after finding out about a nearby brothel. Religious sects and churches, or even individuals, sometimes offer money to foreign traffickers in order to free their victims. However many critics believe this only encourages the trade to expand and offers a greater incentive. Generally, this issue has been fought against through government acts and agreements, the promotion of awareness through organizations, and compensation negotiation of advocates.