Introduction
People trafficking [1] is a serious transnational crime that abuses the human rights of its victims. In its simplest form, it involves the deceptive recruitment of people from overseas for forced exploitation, sometimes into slavery-like conditions.The ways victims of trafficking are recruited and exploited can take many forms. Most commonly victims are trafficked for forced labour and sexual servitude.
People trafficking is difficult to detect as the modus operandi of traffickers and trafficking syndicates is thought to evolve in response to efforts to eradicate the crime. As estimated by the US Department of State, approximately 800,000 people are trafficked annually across international borders, with 80 percent of victims believed to be female, and up to 50 percent minors. It is believed that the majority of this trafficking is for commercial sexual exploitation [2].
New Zealand is committed to help fight trafficking. In 2002 New Zealand became party to the United Nations' Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the related Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Also, since 2002, New Zealand has in place comprehensive legislation to prosecute offenders in people trafficking crimes. The penalties for trafficking offences are comparable to the penalties for murder and rape under New Zealand law.
To this end, the government is focussing to ensure any future cases of trafficking to New Zealand are prevented before they occur. Similarly, actions are being developed to increase New Zealand's capacity to detect any trafficking activity and to rehabilitate victims who may present in the future. Key to achieving these objectives is raising public awareness to create an environment to effectively prevent and detect trafficking.
The government's work in this regard culminates in this Plan of Action to Prevent People Trafficking (Plan of Action). Because people trafficking issues have impacts on various aspects of society, New Zealand's response is best prepared through a whole-of-government approach.
The Plan of Action details the scope of measures and programmes that various government agencies are actively progressing to prevent people trafficking and prepare for any future cases that may arise. Plan of Action will mainstream anti-people trafficking initiatives into existing government programmes.
The Plan of Action results from the cooperative work of the Inter-agency Working Group on people trafficking, the feedback from a public consultation round, and research on international experience of trafficking and best practice in trafficking related initiatives.
New Zealand context
People trafficking is an international crime which has not yet managed to gain a foothold in New Zealand. We have been fortunate; however, there is no room to be complacent. People trafficking is a global concern and New Zealand could potentially be targeted as a destination for trafficked persons. It is important we have the capacity to prevent and combat this crime should it arise. It is also possible that there are cases of people trafficking that remain undetected in New Zealand.
A collaborative government response to trafficking is required
Since 2006, the Inter-agency Working Group on People Trafficking has met to progress anti-people trafficking initiatives. This Inter-agency Working Group is chaired by the Department of Labour and has membership from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet; the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Health, Social Development, and Women's Affairs; the New Zealand Police, and the New Zealand Customs Service.
Collectively, representatives on the Inter-Agency Working Group have contributed items for the Plan of Action to Prevent People Trafficking. Each agency will be responsible for implementing items that fall under their portfolios in collaboration with other agencies where necessary.
Consultation Period
From June to July 2008, the Department of Labour undertook public consultation on the development of a Plan of Action on behalf of the Inter-agency Working Group.
Submitters ranged from international organisations, non-government organisations and academics, to interested individuals. All 34 submitters supported the development of a Plan of Action and provided constructive feedback. The submitters' perspectives, the ongoing work of the Inter-agency Working Group, New Zealand's international commitments, and research on best practice have informed the development of the Plan of Action.
Review of the Plan of Action implementation
The Inter-agency Working Group will continue to meet regularly to coordinate and monitor progress towards achieving the work items outlined in the Plan of Action. The Department of Labour will compile an annual report on progress to achieving the goals of the Plan of Action. The Minister of Immigration will be informed of any cases of people trafficking as they arise.
Footnotes
- People Trafficking is also known as Human Trafficking. The term People Trafficking has been used throughout for consistency.
- United States' State Department's Trafficking in Persons report at www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/