Human smuggling and trafficking intersections: the case of Nigerian female victims in Europe

Abstract

Trafficking in human beings is a multi-tiered phenomenon involving the recruitment, transport, relocation, accommodation or reception of individuals being trafficked for exploitation. Even though smuggling and trafficking in persons are recognized as distinct crimes under international law, they are frequently correlated, because in many cases, one is an indispensable part of the other. This is particularly true in the case of Nigerian women and young girls, who initially choose to be smuggled to European countries with the hope of improving their financial and social standing but end up exploited by the same people that they trusted. Human trafficking is a high-risk crime, which threatens and violates vital human rights. Women who are trafficked and coerced to work in the sex industry are particularly vulnerable, as they belong to marginalized social groups, where they live inconspicuous lives, frightened of seeking help. This study will emphasize the social context and cultural norms from which the sexual exploitation of Nigerian female victims of trafficking arises and the key human rights at risk of trafficked women, elucidating their invincible lives. This paper also concludes that trafficked female victims face several challenges throughout their journey in general. They are to be perpetually vulnerable to victimization and human rights violations because authorities worldwide approach this issue to this day as a border control concern, despite the calls from the international community for a human-rights based approach to human trafficking.