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Human trafficking in syria: policy recommendations

Executive Summary

Human trafficking has been on the rise in the recent past. Many people are confirmed lost through different ways. Among the leading countries in the human trade is Syria. There are reported cases in the country of citizens being abducted and subjected to inhuman activities such as forced prostitution and early marriages. Syria is known for the increasing civil wars for the past few years. The government and some criminal groups such as ISIS have been in conflicts, which has made it possible for thriving of human trafficking. The war has also led to many citizens fleeing for their lives hencebecoming refugees in their country. Others have fled to European countries for a better living.[1]Woman and children are the primary victims. There are various forms which trafficking occurs. Some women are abducted in the checkpoints while some are lured with promises of better lives in the neighboring countries. They end up being victims of sexual assault. To stop the issue, there should be sound policies which should aim in eliminating thecauses of the problemrather than accommodating the refugees.

Problem: Human trafficking in Syria

Currently, Syria is experiencing the highest level of humanitarian conflict in the world. There is an approximation of about 12 million individuals need humanitarianservices. 7. 6 million Citizens of Syria are considered to be internallydisplaced since the offset of ongoing civil clashes. The country is alsoexperiencing a high number of refugees because of the constant civic conflicts. The wars are affecting mostly women and children. These populations areconsidered more vulnerable to the crisis than men. Women and girls, primarilyin the refugee camps and irrespective of their origin, have high chances ofbeing trafficked through some forms such as sexual exploitation, enforcementinto early marriages, psychological torture resulting from the wars which seemto be endless, and also being overwhelmed by the economic fighting. People alsotry to seek refuge in the neighboring countries finding their way onto Europe. The victims are migrated in the neighboring countries such as Lebanon wherethey are subjected to misery. They are forced to prostitution and also earlymarriages affecting their growth and development as well as subjection tophysical torture. For example, back in 2016, 75 Syrian women were forced intosexual slavery, the largest human trafficking network ever uncovered inLebanon.[2]

Factors facilitating human trafficking

Todevelop sound policies in eliminating the problem, there is need to understandthe factors which have facilitated human trafficking. The growing refugee rateis one of the factors. As the civil war continues in Syria, the number ofdisplaced increases.[3]Therefugees are forced to seek refuge in the neighboring countries such as Jordanand Lebanon. The commotion and the psychological pressure makes the refugeesbecome lured easily for trafficking. There is also no legal forum in thegovernment where the refugees can air their grievances.

The Syrian government is negligent towards itsrefugees. Amidst the confusion and desperation, human traffickers takeadvantage of the desperate refugees and promise them a good life in neighboringcountries. However, it dawns on the refugees later that they are trafficked toother nations to be used as sexual tools and forced marriages. Hence, therefugee crisis is one of the factors leading to the increased humantrafficking.

Waris another factor that is increasing human trafficking. Some fighters aretaking hostages and using them in facilitating the human trafficking trade. Women are involved in prostitution while children are reported to be forcedinto early marriages. Wars have also increased the displacement of peoplemaking them vulnerable to human trafficking. Before the war emancipated inSyria, there was a perfect life in the country. The state secularism alsoensured that Syrian women had some freedom in the society. There was a certainlevel of personal liberty given to women.[4]

However, in the current war era, women and children feel the highest degree of effectsof war. They are the primary targets of both the state and pro-nation forces, as well as the armored forces which are against the national authority.[5]Suchgroups include Islamic State of Iraq Sham (ISIS). Women are prone to sexualassault, psychological and physical harassment, torture, and deprivation oftheir human rights. The absence of men as they flee to the battleground leavesthem being open to abuse during the house-to-house raids conducted by the rivalgroups.

Anothermeans through which women and children are prone to trafficking and sexualharassment is when fleeing for their safety.[6]Menare mainly engaged in fighting in different areas. It leaves women to flee fortheir lives to avoid harassment during the households’ raids. However, escapingfrom the war does not mean that they have fled from violence. They have to passthrough militias controlled areas. In some cases, they also have to negotiatein the checkpoints increasing the chances for rape and sexual assaults. Also, the human trafficking individuals are in these checkpoints, which make it easyfor them to have victims of their choice for trading. Moreover, unscrupuloushousing owners and local charity organizations sometimes abuse their legitimacywhich results in exploitation of women who cannot pay their rent. They expectto have some sexual intercourse in return. Some also organize with the localhuman traffickers and give out information regarding the ladies present in theland for some cash.

Thereis need to develop sound policies which should ensure elimination of theproblem. Some of the policies that should be implemented are as follows.

Policy one

There should be sound policies put in place to curb the problem. One of the policy is reducing the demand for the human as sex tools. The plan may seemcomplicated to implement. However, the states should follow the law of demand which should ensure that the demand and supply for sexual satisfaction diminishes. One way to make sure that there is no demand is establishing laws which are against any form of sexual assault. The victims of human trafficking are taken in the neighboring countries such as Lebanon and Iraq. The governments of these nations should implement laws which are against sex workers and prostitution. Buying of Sex should also be prohibited in these countries which will ensure that the demand for sex is eliminated. Human traders will incur losses on the trade since the services resulting from the trade are no longer needed.[7]Also, there should be sound wage systems which should ensure that no children or weak women supply any labor ion the companies. It is because some kids are subjected to child labor in some production companies. If there is a sound system which ensures that employment providers are approved by the government, then the demand for children will reduce which will in return, eliminate human trafficking. Employers will adopt other means of labor production to avoid experiencing the close part of the law.

Policy Two

Anotherpolicy which should be implemented to ensure elimination of human trafficking isthe stabilization of the Syrian government. The increasing rate of refugees andthe civil conflicts are the primary reason why human trafficking has thrived inSyria. War results in the central government are diverting its attention fromprotecting human rights to fighting for the interests of some few individualsin power. If there is a stable government in Syria, human rights should beprotected since the government would receive some pressures from the UN toprotect the human rights.[8]However, as the wars heighten in the country, the state government is not able toprovide security to its citizens but rather fight against the illegal militias. There is need to eliminate the cause of the civil wars to stabilize the Syriangovernment. A primary cause of the war is the thirst for power as someautocratic families have been in authority for decades. The United Nationsshould ensure that Syria adopts a new constitution which outlines the maximumyears for one to be in authority. The democratic rights of the Syrian citizensshould also be protected which will ensure that correct procedures to ascend topower are followed. The United Nations should keep in watch of the Syrianactivities till the government becomes stable. It will help ion providing somesocial services such as security and protection of human rights. If the rightsof the vulnerable are protected, there are small chances of women and childrenbecoming the victims of human trafficking.

Policy Three

Anotherpolicy which should be implemented is the provision of some social services andreal working environments. Resources in Syria have also contributed in thepolitical conflicts in the country. It is because each fighting party wants toprotect its interests and have a share of the vast resources in the country. Also, some women are lured with promises of better lives in the neighboringstates which make them exchange their daughters for some small amount of cash. It shows how poverty in these regions contributes to the growing human trade. Improving the economic conditions in these areas will ensure that citizens havebetter living standards which will lure them off from selling their daughters. They will not fall into the trap of selling their daughters for better livessince they will have the essential living commodities. Also, there should besufficient provision of some services such as security. The refugees flee fromtheir sources to other areas due to fear of losing their lives. Severehousehold attacks by the illegal militia groups have made many citizens, especially women and children flee in search of secure places. On the processof searching for security, they are forced to cross on the bandit’s territorieswhich expose them in sexual assault. Hence, if the social services are providedto the people of Syria, they would not be moving in a disorganized manner whichwould reduce chances for attacks.

Pros and cons of the above policies

Theabove policies have some benefits which can be met when implemented. Curbingthe target market of human traffickers will not only apply in the Middle Eastcountries but will involve a large section of the human trafficking regions. The human trade includes many countries with almost same destination. Hence, ifthe market is dismantled, the traders will have no place to exchange hencestopping the trade. The advantage of this method is that it will not involveany conflicts with the civic groups since the governments will introduce lawsand some harsh punishments which the citizens will fear breaking. However, thepolicy has a disadvantage in that the traders will have to implement some othermeans for survival. The operators rely much on the trade which leaves them withno other business. Hence, the government will have to devise another way ofaccommodating the traders.

Thepolicy of government stabilization is much effective in that the Syriangovernment will help in the elimination of illegal militia groups. The UNtogether with the Syrian government will take part in fighting and eliminatethe local groups which are involved in the human trade. If the government isstable, there will be other advantages which include protection of human rightsand the rise of stable states. However, the policy has some disadvantage inthat there may be the death of many lives which can result from the fact thatthe militia groups will instill some resistance in giving up their power. Someof these organizations such as ISIS are deeply rooted in these regions. Theyalso know all the hideouts in case an attack against them is declared. It canresult in the death of many civilians as war ensues between the rivals.

Thepolicy of providing the citizens with some social services is principal in thesense that the government will have cut some cost of providing these services. Instead, the fund which would be used in providing these services in futurewould be utilized for other services. The regions will be opened up forinternational trade. The global village might shift its attention to theseareas which may attract other investors. The primary cause of conflict betweenthe militia groups and the government is the protection of power and someresources. These areas are rich in resources which remain unutilized due toconflicts. Hence, if the areas are at peace and working opportunities areprovided, they may attract the foreign investors who will invest in these areashence opening up for international trade.

Best Policy and Recommendation

Amongthese policies, the most efficient are the elimination of target market forhuman traffickers. The strategy is effective because the governments in thetarget markets will only implement some laws against sex trade and forcedlabor. In return, sex buyers will fear the effects of the law which will reducethe demand for human trafficking. Governments should implement laws whichforbid selling and buying of sex in all countries. The policy will need fewerefforts since the governments will aim at implementing the laws hence reducingdemand for human traffickers. Similarly, there will be no bloodshed in theimplementation of the policy since the laws of demand will apply which willeliminate human trafficking.

Human trafficking in Syria is one of the global challenges which has attracted the attention of the international human rights agencies. There has been a lot of kidnapping in the region which exposes the victims in some humanitarian crisis such as exposure to sexual assault. The perpetrators of the crime have formed a long link in almost every corner of the world. The refugees and the prisoners, specifically women of war are more prone to the trade than men. There is need to fight the trade starting from the ground and not just to accommodate the refugees. Sound policies should be implemented which will ensure that the problem is eliminated in the society. Among these strategies include stabilizing the Syrian government, disrupting the target market of human trafficking as well as promoting an efficient economic working environment. The best policy should focus on having the least adverse outcomes upon its implementation. The UN has a significant role to play in ensuring that human trafficking is eliminated from the society.

Bibliography

  • Arhin, Antonela. “ A Diaspora Approach To Understanding Human Trafficking For Labor Exploitation”. Journal of Human Trafficking 2, no. 1 (2016): 78-98.
  • Chassman, Alyssa, and Alyssa Chassman. “ Sex Trafficking And Hidden War On Women: The Neglected Phenomenon Of Syrian Civil War”. International Women’s Initiative . Last modified 2017. Accessed April 9, 2017. https://www. internationalwomensinitiative. org/news/2016/4/7/sex-trafficking-and-hidden-war-on-women-the-neglected-phenomenon-of-syrian-civil-war.
  • Fenton, Siobhan. “ Thousands Of Child Refugees Have Arrived In The UK. And Hundreds Of Them Are Missing”. The Independent . Last modified 2017. Accessed April 9, 2017. http://www. independent. co. uk/news/uk/home-news/hundreds-of-child-refugees-missing-syria-alan-kurdi-aylan-theresa-may-have-vanished-since-arriving-a7222456. html.
  • Last modified 2017. Accessed April 9, 2017. http://freedomfund. org/wp-content/uploads/Lebanon-Report-FINAL-8April16. pdf.
  • Louw, Lee-Ann, and Hendrik Johannes Lubbe. “ Threats To Security Posed By ISIS In Syria: A Human Security Approach”. Journal of Human Security 13, no. 1 (2017).
  • Shaheen, Kareem. “ Dozens Of Syrians Forced Into Sexual Slavery In Derelict Lebanese House”. The Guardian . Last modified 2017. Accessed April 9, 2017. https://www. theguardian. com/world/2016/apr/30/syrians-forced-sexual-slavery-lebanon.
  • “ Syria”. U. S. Department Of State . Last modified 2017. Accessed April 9, 2017. https://www. state. gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2015/243543. htm.
  • “ Theresa May’s Speech To The UN General Assembly – GOV. UK”. Gov. Uk . Last modified 2017. Accessed April 9, 2017. https://www. gov. uk/government/speeches/theresa-mays-speech-to-the-un-general-assembly.
  • Turner, Ian. “ Human Rights, Positive Obligations, And Measures To Prevent Human Trafficking In The United Kingdom”. Journal of Human Trafficking 1, no. 4 (2015): 296-317.
  • West, Amanda. “ Child Trafficking And Child Welfare”. Journal of Human Trafficking (2016): 1-11.

[1]Alyssa Chassman and Alyssa Chassman,“ Sex Trafficking And Hidden War On Women: The Neglected Phenomenon OfSyrian Civil War”, International Women’s Initiative

[2]

[3]Lee-Ann Louw and Hendrik Johannes Lubbe,“ Threats To Security Posed By ISIS In Syria: A Human SecurityApproach”, Journal of Human Security 13, no. 1 (2017).

[4]Alyssa Chassman and Alyssa Chassman,“ Sex Trafficking And Hidden War On Women: The Neglected Phenomenon OfSyrian Civil War”, International Women’s Initiative

[5]Lee-Ann Louw and Hendrik Johannes Lubbe,“ Threats To Security Posed By ISIS In Syria: A Human SecurityApproach”, Journal of Human Security 13, no. 1 (2017).

[6]Amanda West, “ Child Trafficking AndChild Welfare”, Journal of Human Trafficking (2016): 1-11.

[7]Ian Turner, “ Human Rights, PositiveObligations, And Measures To Prevent Human Trafficking In The UnitedKingdom”, Journal of Human Trafficking 1, no. 4 (2015): 296-317.

[8]Ian Turner, “ Human Rights, PositiveObligations, And Measures To Prevent Human Trafficking In The UnitedKingdom”, Journal of Human Trafficking 1, no. 4 (2015): 296-317.

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