Human trafficking, a grave violation of human rights, continues to be a pressing global issue. This insidious crime involves the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of individuals through force, fraud, or deception, all with the sinister intent of exploiting them for profit. 

Victims of human trafficking come from diverse backgrounds, encompassing men, women, and children of all ages, making it an alarming and pervasive problem that knows no boundaries.

This abhorrent practice is not confined to any specific region, as it casts its ominous shadow over every part of the world. Traffickers employ various methods to ensnare their victims, often employing violence, fraudulent employment agencies, and deceptive promises of education and job opportunities. This manipulative strategy leaves victims vulnerable, coercing them into a life of exploitation.

Human trafficking is built upon three core elements: the act, the means, and the purpose. The traffickers utilize a spectrum of heinous tactics such as physical and sexual abuse, blackmail, emotional manipulation, and the confiscation of official documents to maintain control over their victims. This multi-faceted approach leaves victims trapped in an unending cycle of despair.

Exploitation is not limited to a specific geographical location. It can occur in a victim’s home country, during migration, or in a foreign land. Statistics reveal the grim reality, with the majority of cases falling into the following categories: 38.8% forced labour, 38.7% sexual exploitation, 10.3% mixed forms of exploitation, 10.2% linked to criminal activities, 0.9% forced marriages, 0.7% begging, 0.3% baby selling, and 0.2% organ removal. These figures underscore the severity of the problem and the diverse ways in which human lives are cruelly exploited.

In this short blog, we will have a deeper look into human trafficking in Germany and will compare it with a country of the global south, Bangladesh. 

It is important to have a basic overview about this topic and to raise awareness. Human Trafficking in Germany: A Growing Concern Amidst Pandemic Challenges the Federal Situation Report of 2022 provides a stark overview of the human trafficking situation in Germany.
Notably, the report highlights a concerning rise in human trafficking cases, particularly for sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, and exploitation of minors. The figures reveal 346 cases related to sexual exploitation, 34 cases connected to labour exploitation, and a striking 171 cases involving the exploitation of minors. It is essential to note that the number of victims often surpasses the number of reported cases, emphasizing the hidden nature of this crime.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a noticeable increase in human trafficking cases. This shift is attributed to the transformation of traditional prostitution settings, such as bars and brothels, into more discreet forms, like apartment-based prostitution and house or hotel visits. The pandemic-related restrictions in the prostitution industry gradually eased in 2022, contributing to the surge in sexual exploitation cases. 

Human trafficking and labour exploitation are covert crimes that often go unreported. Victims frequently avoid seeking help or disclosing their situation due to various reasons, including fear of authorities or perpetrators, social isolation, uncertain immigration status, pressure to work off debts, and even a lack of awareness that they are victims of trafficking.

In the realm of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, the report notes a significant increase in cases compared to the previous year. The trend of shifting away from traditional street-based prostitution towards more discreet and less regulated forms continued throughout the reporting year. Victims primarily consisted of individuals from Eastern Europe, and notably, an increasing number from Asian countries such as China, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Perpetrators of human trafficking and exploitation typically operate internationally. Consequently, strengthening international law enforcement cooperation is imperative in combatting this complex criminal network. Additionally, a successful fight against human trafficking and exploitation necessitates multidisciplinary collaboration among all relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, the justice system, non-governmental organizations, and counselling centres.

Only by working together can we address the challenges posed by human trafficking and offer effective support to its victims. In Human Trafficking in Bangladesh and Germany: A Comparative Perspective as of September 2021, the Bangladeshi government had reported over 5,000 pending trafficking cases awaiting investigation or prosecution. NGOs and international organizations, on the other hand, identified a disheartening number of victims in the country.
At least 580 cases of sex trafficking victims, 6,378 labour trafficking victims, and 717 victims of unspecified exploitation were reported. 

The diversity among these victims is striking: sex trafficking included 429 women, 10 men, 111 female children, 10 male children, and 20 LGBTQI+ individuals. Labor trafficking victims comprised 4,328 men, 1,902 women, 93 female children, 41 male children, and 14 LGBTQI+ individuals.

Bangladesh stands out as one of the countries significantly affected by labour migration. Official figures indicate that approximately 5 million Bangladeshis work abroad, but unofficial estimates suggest that this number might be as high as 12 million. The dire living conditions drive many to leave their homeland in search of a better life. 

Migration is often seen as an opportunity to secure a basic level of education and healthcare for their families, but the majority are unaware of the risks and dangers involved. Many migrants lack knowledge of their rights, are often unable to speak the language of their destination country, and thus rely on intermediaries who, more often than not, prioritize their own interests. In this context, migrants become commodities without a voice or rights.