Abstract

This work briefly in the introduction talks about the transformation of the slave trade, which in our contemporary world has become into what is referred to today as, Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery in Africa. In the body, the work brings to the spotlight the ills of Human Trafficking, its causes, its consequences, statistics by well-known organisations, the effects it has on Africans both home and abroad and recommendations to help stop it, and the conclusion. The research was conducted by online research solely. This research is also aimed at educating the youths and making them aware of the ills of Human Trafficking, together with helping them prevent such from happening in their society

Chapter One

1.1  Background Information of the study.

Some would say that slavery ended when the 13^th amendment was passed in the USA in 1865. This, unfortunately, is not true. Humans are still sold and bought against their own will. The format, however, is more modern and not easy to spot. It is called Modern Slavery[1]

The high demand for money in society has led to the disparity of human beings who would do anything to have money until going to the extent of selling their fellow human being.

The Barbaric nature of men started far back in the 18^th Century in Africa where Slave Trade was the Economic Business of the day, where millions of Africans were sold each year but this was abolished by George Washington (black American who was once a slave) in 1865. As Centuries added on Slave Trade was still creeping amongst humans but was camouflaged as black market trade.

The question is what illicit trade is this? The problem is the once Slave Trade which existed far back as the 18^th Century not only exits but is still alive today in a more modern way as Human Trafficking.

‘‘The United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN. GIFT) aims to mobilize  State and non-State actors to eradicate human Trafficking by (a) reducing both the vulnerability of potential victims and the demand for exploitation in all its forms; (b) ensuring the efficient prosecutions of the criminals involved while respecting the fundamental rights of the persons.

In carrying out its mission, UN. GIFT will increase knowledge and awareness on human trafficking; promote effective rights-based  responses, build capacity of State and noon- State actors and faster partnerships for joint action against human trafficking.’’[2]

The widespread contemporary exploitation of men, women and children is unacceptable to people of conscience all over the world. Traditional approaches to preventing human trafficking in human beings, to protect and assist trafficked persons and bring criminals to justice have had some small impact on the global phenomenon, but not enough.[3]

National and international agents of Human rights have been preoccupied with efforts to combat the rapidly growing problem of Human Trafficking throughout the world. The most prominent entity in this connection is the United Nations (UN). Under Article 3 (a) of Protocol 2000, the UN committed to specifically fight human trafficking.

The Protocol, which was adopted as Resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000, seeks to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons (UN, 2000). Although this resolution is a decade old, national and regional efforts to combat trafficking leave much to be desired.[4]

Human Trafficking as a product of external forces has a long history in Africa. Its origin in modern African history can be traced to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade(Inikori, 1992).

The introduction of new ideologies, including Islam and Christianity colonialism and imperialism, as well as the imposition of the capitalist mode if production conspired to breathe new life into human trafficking and concomitant activities on the continent since the mid-19^th century.

The deeply entrenched nature of these new ideologies and modes of production is indicative of the influence of forces rooted in Arabia and Western Europe on Africa.

• Definition of key terms.

• Trafficking in Persons.

‘‘Trafficking in Persons’’ and ‘‘human trafficking’’ have been used as umbrella terms for the act of recruiting, harbouring, transporting, providing, or obtaining a person for compelled labour or commercial sex acts through the use of force, fraud or coercion. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 (Pub.L.106-336), as amended, and the Palermo Protocol describe this compelled service using this number of different terms, including involuntary servitude, slavery or practices similar to slavery, debt bondage, and forced labour.

According to Merriam-Webster definition of Trafficking, it is: the act of buying or selling usually illegal goods. But in this context, it is the illegal trade of human beings.

• Trafficker

A person who deals or trades in something illegal. In this, our case the trafficker`s victim is that of humans.

• Victims

According to English Oxford Dictionaries, a victim is a person harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event or action. For example Human Trafficking victim.

• Victimization

According to Oxford Living Dictionaries, victimization is the action of singling someone out for cruel unjust treatment

• Slavery

Historically an institution based on a relationship of dominance and submission, whereby one person owns another and can exact from that person Labour or other services (The Free Dictionary).

1.3 Statement of Problem

Despite all the crimes committed each day, it is also worthy to note that Human Trafficking is also very rampant in African society although it is silently conducted the issue at hand is; How effective is the law in regards to the protection and vindication of victims of human trafficking in Africa? More than a quarter of all human trafficking victims detected as children and the percentage is higher in some regions, according to the UNODC statement, which noted that among four victims there is one child. Lies and virtual deception are the tools used in getting these poor victims in the cage of human trafficking.

1.4 Research Question

My research question is; Is victimisation in Human Trafficking a mere word or an issue of concern in African Society? Attacking Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery