Trading in Humans: A New Haven Perspective

Abstract

Human trafficking is the third largest criminal industry after the drug trade and arms dealing, and it is also one of the fastest growing international crimes. Its victims are exploited in sex trafficking in large urban areas, vacation and tourist spots, near military bases; in labour trafficking fuelled by the demand for unskilled labour, present in seasonal agriculture, tourism, construction, fisheries and domestic servitude. This modern-day slavery is an affront to the dignity of the human being and a violation of core human rights. It is also a crime against the state that undermines labour relations, health, safety and security of every country it touches as a source of victims, place of transit or final destination. Concerted efforts locally and globally are necessary to combat it. Through the lens of the New Haven School of Thought, also known as Policy-Oriented Jurisprudence, this article analyses the problem of trafficking in human beings, presents the decisions made to address it, and develops recommendations to improve solutions.

Keywords: Human trafficking, trade, New Haven School of Thought