La Strada Documentation Center

The European Union's struggle to realize a human rights - based approach to trafficking in human beings. A Call on the EU to Take THB-Sensitive Action in Relevant Areas of Law

Document number
2804
Date
2009
Title
The European Union's struggle to realize a human rights - based approach to trafficking in human beings. A Call on the EU to Take THB-Sensitive Action in Relevant Areas of Law
Author/publisher
Conny Rijken, Eefje de Volder
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Human Rights approach, Integrated approach; EU instruments; International Human Rights Law, International cooperation; Inter-organisational co-operation, Multi-agency approach, International law; Holistic approach, National Rapporteurs;
Summary
 This article will explore how the EU's actions in the aforementioned areas of law affect the combating of THB. It will demonstrate that the EU has addressed THB in a fragmented way, and that the adoption of measures to combat THB in the fields of labor law, migration law, external relations, and development policy has been of secondary importance to the EU, at best. This article will also make suggestions regarding how the EU's fight against THB can be made more successful through the use of an integrated and human rights-based approach. Part II will examine the definition and the relevance of a human rights-based and integrated approach to combating THB. Thereafter, this article will explore the specific relevant legal fields in detail. Part III will focus on criminal law, after which Part IV will deal with labor law. Part V will then address migration law, and Part VI will look at external relations and development policy. Finally, Part VII will present a variety of conclusions and suggestions with respect to EU THB policy. In discussing EU measures that have been taken in specific fields, this article will focus on legally binding instruments.
Related documents