Memorandum submitted by Stop the Traffik
1.0 DEVELOPMENT,
TRADE, AND
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
1.1 STOP THE TRAFFIK welcomes the International
Development Committee's Inquiry into the Cross-Departmental Working
on Development and Trade. This is key to assessing and implementing
the Millennium Development Goals, and the recognition of the links
between development and trade is crucial. Effective cooperation
between DFID and DBERR is essential to tackling corruption, trade
inequalities, and conflict over resources. This will streamline
different departments' relations with such organisations as the
EU and the WTO.
1.2 STOP THE TRAFFIK urges the International
Development Committee to consider another key issue that will
affect the Cross-Departmental Working of DFID and DBERR on Development
and Trade—human trafficking. This modern-day trade in human
beings that deceives and coerces victims into commercial and sexual
exploitation has huge implications for development.
1.3 For example, STOP THE TRAFFIK welcomes
the opportunity to follow-up issues on conflict and development.
The trafficking of children as child soldiers and sex slaves in
countries such as Uganda has a significant detrimental effect
on development and trade, and requires consideration by both DFID
and DBERR as they look to work together on this issue. STOP THE
TRAFFIK partner organisation Noah's Ark is working in northern
Uganda to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate child victims
of trafficking.
2.0 TRADE POLICY
DECISION-MAKING
2.1 Where the majority of activity is centred
in developed countries, DBERR should have primary responsibility.
Where developing countries are involved, DFID should have primary
responsibility. However, whatever the trade policy, STOP THE TRAFFIK
urges that priority be given to achieving the MDGs, which would
address the root causes of human trafficking. The MDGs cannot
be achieved without tackling human trafficking, and human trafficking
cannot be tackled without achieving the MDGs.
3.0 DIRECTION
OF TRADE
POLICY
3.1 DFID has a key role to play in directing
the development of trade policy. This should be along the lines
of MDG 8(a):
Develop further an open trading and financial
system that is rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory,
includes a commitment to good governance, development and poverty
reduction—nationally and internationally.
3.2 STOP THE TRAFFIK recommends that individuals
vulnerable to human trafficking be involved in the decision-making
processes of the trading, financial, governance, and development
systems of their communities. This should be pursued by DFID and
DBERR in all their overseas development and trade activities.
3.3 This should also have a positive impact
on international development generally, and on the EPA negotiations
specifically, so as to provide clients of DFID and DBERR from
developing countries beneficial access to markets and trade mechanisms,
so as to reduce both poverty and vulnerability to human trafficking.
4.0 OECD AND
CORRUPTION
4.1 Cross-Departmental Working on Development
and Trade as determined by the MDGs and tackling human trafficking
should also modify the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
Labour practices and recruitment that reduce the exploitation
of workers and hence their vulnerability to human trafficking
should be integral to both DFID and DBERR practices across all
activities.
4.2 Combating bribery and corruption can
only be successful when human trafficking is tackled. The Anti-Corruption
Resource Centre cites such sources as the Council of Europe and
the Hong Kong Commission when describing how corrupt officials
both create new situations and exacerbate existing ones where
people are trafficked.
5.0 NATURAL RESOURCES
5.1 DFID can promote improved economic and
trade governance in resource-rich countries through pursuing MDG
7—ensuring environmental sustainability. By reversing the
loss of environmental resources, Cross-Departmental Work can create
gains for both developing and developed countries.
5.2 Encompassing development and trade governance
on natural resources within the MDGs also helps tackle human trafficking.
The IOM has identified environmental degradation as a key factor
in increasing people's vulnerability, and STOP THE TRAFFIK urges
both DFID and DBERR to develop policies to reduce the reoccurrence
of situations such as that of the December 2006 Asian Tsunami,
after which children orphaned by the disaster were taken by human
traffickers.
6.0 DEVELOPMENT
ASPECTS OF
DEFENCE EXPORTS
6.1 STOP THE TRAFFIK urges Cross-Departmental
cooperation on ensuring ethical responsibility throughout the
defence export cycle. Recipients are often complicit in human
trafficking, as evidenced by the Country Narratives in the US
Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report 2007. Tackling
poverty and ensuring human rights within the framework of the
MDGs and sustainable development must always take precedence over
any search for profit or influence.
6.2 STOP THE TRAFFIK urges the International
Development Committee to address these issues, integrate anti-trafficking
into its Inquiry into Cross-Departmental Working on Development
and Trade, and mainstream tackling human trafficking in all its
work.
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