What Is Hidden Within International Anti-Human Trafficking Laws?

Abstract

Human trafficking is gaining global attention as an international problem. Despite the rising concern over human trafficking, there is little analysis as to where the term came from and how original human trafficking laws came to be. I use a historical analysis inspired by Foucault’s concepts of power and genealogy to trace anti-human trafficking norms. While human trafficking is often described as modern-day slavery, I find that it neither modern nor similar to slavery. Anti-human trafficking norms were created at the same time of slavery norms. Anti-human trafficking laws were first meant to protect white European women which is still reflected in the current 2000s Protocol. Colonial influences on anti-human trafficking laws create a necropolitical space where people of certain race, class, nationality, and gender are excluded from the law. Human trafficking is two terms, whereby the definition of trafficked is highly debated whereby the definition of human is ignored.