Human trafficking

Costa Rica

The article Born Free concluded that the buying and selling of humans is big business and an enormous development.  It provided some specific data about human trafficking. “It is estimated to generate anywhere from $32 billion to $150 billion a year and affect tens of millions of people: the International Labor Organization believes that nearly 21 million men, women, and children are currently victims of some form of slavery, forced labor, or human trafficking. The Global Slavery Index puts the number at 29.8 million, which, if accurate, is over twice the number of Africans enslaved between 1525 and 1866, according to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database.” These numbers are mainly from the history, and since the development of every country, the human trafficking problem becomes better. “Since 2008, when the U.S. State Department began tallying numbers on identified victims, it has found only 246,798 trafficking victims worldwide, and since 2006, it has found an average of only about 6,675 prosecutions of human traffickers worldwide annually, with an average of fewer than 4,000 convictions.” However, the number is still big that countries still need to pay attention on it.

(Human Trafficking and the Illegal Sex Industry in Costa Rica)

Sex trafficking and sex slavery do exist in Costa Rica. Seriously, Costa Rica is a source, transit and destination country for women and children suffering from trafficking, specifically the sex trafficking and sex slavery. Some of them are subjected to condition labor in the agriculture, construction, fishing, and domestic service.  The most serious problem is the child sex tourism, mainly engaging in the prostitution of children and facilitated child sexual abuse. There is a report about trafficking in Costa Rica, and embassy of the United States in San Jose listed some recommendations. “Costa Rica should significantly intensify efforts to investigate and prosecute human trafficking offenses, including forced labor, and convict and punish trafficking offenders.” The first recommendation is hoping that the government needs to pay attention to the human trafficking offenses. “Fund specialized services for trafficking victims, including child sex trafficking victims, through the establishment of a shelter specifically for trafficking victims or through funding NGOs to provide services.” There are NGOs in Costa Rica providing services and suggestions for how to avoid sex trafficking and sex salary. “Strengthen dedicated prosecutorial and police units through increased resources and training, including for victim treatment.” Improving and strengthen power of police could help reduce the crime rate. “Ensure that cases of trafficking not involving movement are investigated and prosecuted and that Costa Rican victims of human trafficking receive appropriate services.” Victims of human trafficking are helpless and government should provide services and help for them. “Improve the efficacy and the implementation of the victim assistance protocol, particularly outside of the capital, and in partnership with civil society organizations; Increase efforts to investigate and prosecute child sex tourism; Improve data collection for law enforcement and victim protection efforts.” The commendations provided by the embassy of the United States in San Jose are objective and useful.

Chuqi Li

References:

http://costarica.usembassy.gov/crtip2013.html