Overview

Overview of Human Trafficking

What exactly is human trafficking? It is the organized criminal activity in which human beings are treated as possessions to be controlled and exploited. Human trafficking generally can be broken into three sections: forced labor, prostitution, and illegal organ transplantation. It is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world. While the drug trade remains the largest, some experts predict that human trafficking will surpass it within the next few years. In total, It is a $7 billion a year industry (Human Trafficking in Russia). Russia contains some of the worst cases of human trafficking among the world's developed nations. Not only is human trafficking a major problem in Russia, but throughout the world as well. There are 20.9 million victims across the globe. Of these victims, only 0.4% are identified; fewer receive aid or support (Human Trafficking A Global Challenge).

Why is it such a problem in Russia? Human trafficking is a tremendous problem in the Russian Federation primarily because of its location. Its borders with underdeveloped countries in Central Asia and the Middle East ensure constant immigration. Some immigrants are taken advantage of  by crime organizations and forced into human trafficking. Russia also contains some of the largest and most used trafficking routes that lead into Eastern Europe and China (Human Trafficking in Russia). Although human trafficking has been a substantial issue since the 20th century, it has recently exploded to enormous proportions.Over the last fifteen to twenty years, human trafficking has been exacerbated by global developments, such as global economic restructuring; widening of gaps between rich and poor countries, expansion of tourism, services, leisure and entertainment industries, growth in illegal migration, advancement of information technology, and expansion of transportation networks (Tiurukanova). Also, corrupt and ignorant government officials have done little to solve this serious problem (Human Trafficking in Russia).

What is happening in Russia?  Most of human trafficking victims within Russia are women and children; they are without a voice. Roughly 57,750 to 35,000 women a year are forced into sexual prostitution within the Russian Federation (Tiurukanova). In Russia, there are estimates that 50,000 children are involved in involuntary prostitution. What's more, about one million people there are thought to be exposed to exploitative labor conditions, including extremely poor living conditions, the withholding for documents, and nonpayment for services. In Russia, "30% or more of illegal migrants potentially face elements of slave labor" (Tiurukanova). Human Rights Watch, an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights, has pointed out that some of Russia's labor abuses have occurred during the preparations for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, with some workers enduring "12-hour shifts with one day off per month, having their passports confiscated, being denied employment contracts, and facing unsanitary and overcrowded employer-provided accommodations, with up to 200 migrant workers living in a one single-family home." (Khazan).

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Human trafficking is a blatant attack on the third article of the UN declaration of human rights: everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person. Victims of human trafficking are not treated like human beings, rather they are treated like commodities that can be bought, used, and then discarded. It is modern day slavery.

 Works Cited

"Human Trafficking in Russia." Berdiri.org. Berdiri, n.d. Web. 28 May 2014.

<http://www.berdiri.org/humanitarian/human-trafficking-russia/>.

"Is Human Trafficking a Global Challenge? - Facts & Infographic." MapsoftheWorld.com. Maps

Of The World, n.d. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.mapsofworld.com/poll/is-human-trafficking-a-global-challenge-facts-infographic.html>

Khazan, Olga. "A Fascinating Map of the Worst Countries for Modern Slavery.

TheAtlantic.com. The Atlantic, 20 June 2013. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/06/a-fascinating-map-of-the-worst-countries-for-modern-slavery/277037/>.

Tiurukanova, E V., and Institute For Urban Economics. "Human Trafficking in the Russian

Federation."Unicef (2006): 0-136. Web. 29 May

2014 <http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/Unicef_EnglishBook%281%29.pdf>.