Trafficking Against Human Beings from the Polish-European Perspective

Abstract

This thesis begins by examining the security trends of the European Union after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the resulting efforts to shield Europe against unknown enemies through strengthened external borders. It notes that the driving force behind such a state security mindset was the idea that the global developments that opened the way for hyperterrorism were also responsible for other cross-border threats such as cross-border crime and illegal migration. Thus Europe and consequently, Poland, have found themselves in positions of increased law enforcement and border control at a time when globalization presses for the free movement of goods and labor. As a product of these dualities, this work notes that human trafficking has negatively altered in its manifestations rather than decreasing in occurrence. Thus, through a detailed examination of United Nations, European Union, and Polish laws, this thesis finally concludes that the current state security approach to anti-trafficking efforts is ineffective; it argues that countries such as Poland – through the help of NGOs – must adopt a human security mindset and use improved criminal prosecution and victim assistance as a new, more successful, means of deterrence.