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Australia’s response to human trafficking
Teshome, Aderajew
Teshome, Aderajew
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Abstract
This article argues that the link made between migration control and security in developed countries is damaging. Australia, a 'high destination' country for trafficking victims, is responsible for orchestrating a shift of the anti-trafficking paradigm away from the human rights perspective, into a border control agenda. While the sovereign right of each country to control its borders and design its own migration policies cannot be contested, international law dictates that such measures not be prejudicial to the rights of individuals. Australia has ratified the Trafficking Protocol, therefore, it is obliged to criminalize trafficking offences as defined under Article 3(a). This paper analyses whether Australia's response to human trafficking offences complies with the Trafficking Protocol. Australia's conceptualisation of trafficking is inconsistent with the Trafficking Protocol. Trafficking and people smuggling offences are conflated, with an inappropriate focus on trafficking for sexual purposes. Trafficking for labour exploitation is overlooked. Law enforcement efforts and migration policies need to give greater priority to protecting and supporting trafficking victims.
Keywords
Australia, human trafficking, international law, Trafficking Protocol, labour exploitation, migration policy, law enforcement
Date
2011
Type
Journal article
Journal
University of Tasmania Law Review
Book
Volume
30
Issue
2
Page Range
51-74
Article Number
ACU Department
Thomas More Law School
Faculty of Law and Business
Faculty of Law and Business
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All rights reserved
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Notes
© Law School, University of Tasmania 2011