Shanghai European Model United Nations 2016 | Research Reports Forum:
Human Rights Council
Issue:
Taking action against human trafficking and sex tourism
Student Officer: Danaé Perakis-Valat
Position:
Deputy President
Introduction
According to the United Nations, approximately 2.5 million people were being trafficked in
2008. Human trafficking often takes place in Lesser Economically Developed Countries (LEDC)
because of the economic situation, which make children and women potential victims. Indeed,
their economic situations make them vulnerable as they are promised job opportunities in other
countries, often in More Economically Developed Countries (MEDC). However, contrary to
common beliefs, children and women are not the only ones who are subjected to human
trafficking. Men are also victims of these crimes, and are often forced into labor. Furthermore,
though some victims of trafficking are brought into countries illegally, others travel using legal
documents or enter on valid work. Combating human trafficking in the world is one of the most
important issues that the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council needs to address as it is a
crime in which human beings are treated as possessions to be controlled and exploited or
forced into illegal activities such as prostitution or child labor.
Sex tourism is also a crucial issue as there is a direct link between it and the practice of
sex slavery. The expansion of sex tourism, one of the main contributors to the prostitution
economy, in tourist destinations has only encouraged the prostitution business in the area to
grow. Tourists seeking sex generally come from MEDCs such as Europe or the United States
while destinations are usually LEDCs especially South East Asia and South America.
Definition of Key Terms
Human Trafficking
An organized criminal activity in which human beings are treated as possessions to be controlled
and exploited (as by being forced into prostitution or involuntary labor)
RR Topic| Page 1 of 6 Shanghai Model United Nations 2015 | Research Reports Exploitation
The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work
Sex Tourism
“Trips organized from within the toursim sector, or from outside this sector but suing its structures
and networks, with the primary purpose of effecting a commercial sexual relationship by the tousit with
residents at the destination”
Sex slavery
The exercise of an or all of the powers attached to the “right of ownership” over a person. It
comprises the repeated violation of sexual abuse or forcing the victim to provide sexual services as well
as the rape by the captors.
CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children)
The CSEC comprises sexual abuse where remuneration in cash or kind is made to the child or a
third person
Background Information
Human trafficking and Sex Tourism
Prevention
To prevent Human trafficking, the United Nations has created awareness campaigns such as “Be
Smart, Be Safe” or the Global TV Campaign on Human Trafficking which help warn millions of
people on the consequences of human trafficking.
Thailand, is the first country in Asia to pass laws that impose greater penalties on customers than
on sellers for involvement in commercial sex with underage partners. An NGO called
Development and Education Program for Daughters & Communities (DEPDC) aims to prevent
women and children from being forced into the illegal sex trade or child labor due to outside
pressures, lack of education, and limited employment alternatives. In many successful cases the
decision of the child to continue her education overrides the parent's desire for money.
In provinces of China, the office of the procurator, the courts, the civil departments, the media,
schools, women's federations, trade unions, and the Communist Youth League each play their
own role in combating trafficking. Organizations help governmental agencies by creating
awareness amongst illiterate and uneducated women who are most vulnerable to being victims of
human trafficking. The All China Women’s Federation and the Ministry of Justice print out antitrafficking manuals to distribute to women.
Page 2 of 6 | RR Topic Shanghai European Model United Nations 2016 | Research Reports In the Philippines and in Cambodia there are also organizations that are actively involved in
preventing human trafficking by creating awareness campaigns. In Cambodia, the Government
also provides shelters and schooling for orphans and street children to keep them away from
traffickers.
Protection
The United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially
Women and Children was entered in force in 2003 and calls upon all nations to create awareness
for the protection of the human rights of victims and to help them recover from their physical and
psychological troubles.
Prosecution
Investigations should be thorough and if the victim has consented to the trial of his
offenders. Indeed, some victims are afraid to come forth and to admit that they have
been victims of human trafficking as they might feel guilt or be afraid of the offenders.
Sex tourism
Major Countries and Organizations Involved
The United Nations/Human Rights Organizations/MEDCs
MEDCs, the United Nations and Human Rights Organizations condemn human trafficking and
sex tourism due to the inhumane treatment of the people
The United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially
Women and Children
Also known as the Palermo Protocol, it is an international crime convention and the international
benchmark on trafficking in human beings and was conceived in 2003 to promote the fight on human
trafficking. It is managed in cooperation with the International Labor Organization (ILO). In Article 3 of the
Protocol, it states three elements have to be present in order to speak of human trafficking: Activity,
Means and Purpose. Activity would be the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of
persons.
LEDCs that welcome tourists
These countries remain on the fence about sex tourism as it is immoral and should be illegal,
however is generates revenue and helps LEDCs grow economically
United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT)
RR Topic| Page 3 of 6 Shanghai Model United Nations 2015 | Research Reports Conceived in 2007 to promote the fight on human trafficking. It is managed in cooperation with
the International Labor Organization (ILO); the International Organization for Migration (IOM); and the
UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).
United States
January 11 has been designated as National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness to help inform
the world of the dangers of this practice. Moreover, Polaris Project, a non-governmental organization
(NGO) was founded in 2002 to help combat human trafficking. It created the National Human Trafficking
Resource Center (NHFTRC) which people can call to both give and receive information on the matter.
Council of Europe
The council of Europe convention on action against trafficking in human beings focuses mainly
on protecting the victims of human trafficking as well as helps prosecute traffickers.
Timeline of Events
Date Description of event 1921 December 25, 2003 1948 International Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Women and
Children sponsored by the League of Nations (LON) Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially
Women and Children The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Relevant UN Treaties and Events
•
Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in presons, especially women and children,
15th November, 2000
•
Sumpplementary convention on the abolition of slavery, the slave trade, and institutions and
practices similar to slavery, 7th September, 1956
•
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, November 15, 2000 (55/25)
•
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
Page 4 of 6 | RR Topic Shanghai European Model United Nations 2016 | Research Reports •
International Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols on the Involvement
of Children in Armed Conflicts as well as the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child
Pornography (1989)
•
Forced Labor Convention (1930)
Previous Attempts to solve the Issue
Concerning sex tourism, a report published by the UNHRC stated that “while many efforts have
been made in view of preventing and combating child sexual exploitation in travel and tourism,
challenges still remain due to : the lack of available data; the legal gaps persisting in many countries and
legal disparities between countries; insufficient awareness-raising and training; the weakness of childsensitive complaint mechanism…” Solving this issue therefore requires international laws regarding the
exploitation of children and better awareness as well as integrative means.
Possible Solutions
One of the main solutions would be to enforce security in the countries where human trafficking
takes place. To further enhance the efforts to identify undocumented migrants entering a country. Maybe
even create a police specialized in recognizing human traffickers and victims.
Countries should also reinforce the education given to their inhabitants about human trafficking
and sex tourism and the dangers that they present. Emphasis on the protection of the victims of such
crimes is crucial. Authorities of the countries in which the crime has taken place should try to identify
victims and help diffuse awareness programs that will bring the issue to the attention of the public and
inform the population.
The ability to effectively use their law enforcement is necessary: many countries have strict laws
but have trouble enforcing them due to a rather lax police force
Rehabilitation programs for victims would help transplant them back into society and show them
that sex slavery is not the only option
Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_tourism#Economic_and_policy_implications
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.html
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/sex-tourism
RR Topic| Page 5 of 6 Shanghai Model United Nations 2015 | Research Reports “The Handbook for Diplomatic and Consular Personnel on How to Assist and Protect Victims of Human
Trafficking”
https://www.themuse.com/advice/whats-being-done-to-stop-human-trafficking
http://www.humantrafficking.org/combat_trafficking/prevention Page 6 of 6 | RR Topic