HOW TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: PREVENTIVE TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES BY PATRICIA ODUKWU CHIEF INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ANPTIP, NIGERIA

OUTLINE INTRODUCTION PREVENTIVE INSTRUMENTS PREVENTIVE TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION Human Trafficking a modern day slavery Involves Act-recruiting, transporting, transferring etc; Means – Deceit, force, fraud etc: for the purpose of exploitation A gross violation of fundamental human rights A crime with criminal networks A crime that always affects the victims and consequently extends to the family, community, society and the world at large Affects countries in the world as source, transit and destination and some may fall in the three categories 20.9 million people are enslaved in sex and labour exploitation (ILO).

INTRODUCTION CONTD Nets over $32 billion profit annually more than Nike, Starbucks and Google combined ( fightslaverynow.org) Perpetrators and their networks could use their finances for lobbying to ensure policies favourable to them are in place, or they could fuel crises or conflicts to create vulnerability Prevention is always cheaper and better than cure. According to a 19Th century renowned abolitionist and escaped slave, Frederick Douglass, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”

PREVENTION INSTRUMENTS Universal Declaration of human rights (1948) “recognizes the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”. United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime(2000) resolved to fight crimes across nations Its Supplementary Protocol is specific in the area of Trafficking in Persons especially women and children. The objectives being to prevent and combat TIP particularly women and children, protect and assist victims, respecting their human rights and promoting cooperation among state parties.

PREVENTION INSTRUMENTS CONTD. Ouagadougou Action Plan adopted by AU in 2006 aimed at combating trafficking in human beings especially women and children. A strategy to reduce vulnerability and measures to eliminate harmful traditional practices Millennium Development Goals derived from Millennium Declaration (2000) aims at reducing vulnerability with emphasis on goals 1: eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, 2: achieve universal basic education, 3: promote gender equality and women empowerment and 7: ensure environmental sustainability. U S Dept. of State rating of countries on anti trafficking activities. First introduced in 2001 at the instance of the provisions of VTVPA of 2000 Division A, Section 104 & 108 x-rays details of activities of countries.

PREVENTION INSTRUMENTS CONTD. TVPA policy to fight TIP using the “3Ps”, prevention: awareness creation on the ills effects of TIP, protection: identifying trafficked victims and providing necessary interventions for healthy living, prosecution: criminalize TIP and prosecute offenders as a deterrent. Legal forfeiture of assets Nigeria and EU has a 4th “P” partnership at all levels. Every country need an agency of government with specific mandate to fight human trafficking and related abuses.

PREVENTION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES Networking/Partnership – Key to information sharing and dissemination. Involve other law enforcement agencies etc Advocacy – to achieve political will and favourable policy changes Publication & IEC materials – for dissemination of accurate information to all nooks and crannies of the society using different local languages Community dialogue/town hall meetings, village meetings, open rallies, and awareness campaigns, workshops and training programmes. Use of media & training of media personnel – using social media to combat TIP, radio jingles, drama series, documentaries etc

PREVENTION TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES Name and shame – making public convicted traffickers using their names Formation of clubs and vanguards – engaging school children at primary, secondary and tertiary levels Erecting billboards at strategic locations with accurate information on TIP especially recruitment tactics Establishing anti trafficking networks at community, local govt., state and national levels with relevant key stakeholders as members

CONCUSION In conclusion, preventing human trafficking is not as expensive as rescue, treatment, empowerment and reintegration that is when trafficking has occurred. We all must fight trafficking before it happens. Collectively we can curb the menace of trafficking. With the enabling laws, preventive tools and techniques in place we can eliminate Trafficking in Persons. Yes we can.

CONCLUSION COMING TOGETHER IS A BEGINNING KEEPING TOGETHER IS PROGRESS. WORKING TOGETHER IS SUCCESS By ‘Joko Fabamise’ Women’s Optimum Development Foundation (WODEF) Nigeria.