Trafficking in Human Beings and Human Security: A Comprehensive Approach

In the current context of the ‘migration crisis’, part of the migrants that reached the EU territory have been confronted with human trafficking by becoming victims or experiencing violence during their journey. The realization of a human security approach to trafficking in human beings could have the effect to enhance measures of prevention, protection and prosecution in the fight against this serious crime, addressing freedom from want, freedom from fear and strengthening the rule of law. The European Union approach is – in theory – characterized by the above mentioned elements and the general analysis of the paper will be on the comprehensive approach promoted by the EU legislation to human trafficking not only from a law enforcement perspective, but also considering the victims’ position and their rights. In particular, the central question touches upon the extent the approach in EU legislation and policy promotes and enables a human security approach to trafficking in human beings or if, in practice, a lack of human security still continue to exist. To that effect, the analysis will focus, on the one hand, on the ‘access to victims’ rights’ in relation with the possession of a residence permit; on the other, on the consequences of the problematic definition of ‘exploitation’.