Human-trafficking+in+Mexico

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=** //__Human-trafficking in Mexico__// **=

**Overview:**

Trafficking women is a continuous moral and political issue surrounding the globe for many countries.Trafficking in women is defined as, “All acts involved in the recruitment and/or transportation of a women within and across natural borders for work or services by means of violence or threat of violence, abuse of authority or dominant position, debt- bondage, deception, or other forms of coercion” (Wijers, 190). Statistics taken concerning the factors that contribute to trafficking in regards to origin of these practices show that the top three reasons mentioned by women are, “poverty/unemployment (89%), corruption of authorities (48%), and globalization of the economy (48%)” (Wijers, 51). Trafficking is proven to be political battle for the women. However, the position they are faced with is still immoral and forced on them. They are not accepting this lifestyle. Trafficking is often associated with prostitution. The term prostitute can associate itself with forms of “willingness” and employment to people hearing about these practices. This association of trafficking with prostitution confuses policies for all nations in regards of how to go about this crisis. Trafficking across the U.S. boarder to and from Mexico is a serious issue that affects both our nations and must be ended by means of action.

**U.S. and Mexico Policies:**

Both Mexico and the United State have documented policies regarding the trafficking of drugs, imported trade, and people. NGO (non-government organizations) push for ongoing policies regarding trafficking victim’s rights and treatment while government officials continue to create stricter punishment for offenders. However, the laws that are in place now do not hold enough clauses for emotion and are not being upheld. An example of missing clauses is found when reviewing Mexico’s federal legislation. Researchers found that **“**The law does not include a clause rendering victim consent irrelevant if any of the means defined in the crime, such as threat, abduction, abduction or fraud, were used; therefore, the burden of proof regarding consent can be shifted to victims over 18 years of age” ( Wikipedia, “Human Trafficking in Mexico”). Issues of trafficking across the border from the U.S. to Mexico are looked at by some authorities as third party involvement and don’t allow certain laws to cross over. The U.S.’s “Mann Act” states that it is illegal to bring someone from a foreign place to prostitute or trick someone into traveling and force them to prostitute. This is a just act that protects the individual. However, that person could be dragged outside of the states and that law cannot cross over to them. The law will not be enforced in another country due to forms of corruption that are seen frequently.

**Cuidad Juarez:** Corruption in regards to trafficking and death can be seen heavily in the city of Juarez. The city is located directly off the border on the Rio Grande River. This city has been written about by many newspapers in both the U.S. and Mexico because of the crossover of crimes and policies. In an article released January 28, 2008 in the "Norte de Cuidad Juarez", it states, by order of the Juarez government, that U.S. military personal outside of the city were prohibited any visits to the city due to an outbreak in violence. They issued the prohibition of access for the, “unacceptable risk to health, security, well-being and morale of the soldiers” (Bowden, 243). However, what of the citizens living in the center of this violent outbreak? The intentions of the military personal from the U.S. being there is for the protection of the citizens. Another example of the dangers is found in an article released April 14, 2008 in the "El Paso Times". A warning was released from the State Department to U.S. tourists in regards to travel around that area of the boarder during a mass drug war. While attacks were mainly aimed at police officials, the article read,” [. . .] foreign visitors and residents, including Americans, have been among the victims of homicides and kidnappings in the border region” (Bowden, 300). The entire region is proven corrupt and dangerous because of the influence of organized crime and the amount of money made from trafficking. Drug and human trafficking are both violent battles that result in the loss of families and morality that are completely out of control.

**What can be done?:**

Human trafficking has been a devastating issue for both Mexico and the U.S. going back decades. Solutions are consistently being looked into by NGO and government officials in regards to prevention, searches, and treatment. Continuation of this research is of the highest importance for the women and children placed in these situations. Another solution that must be looking into is the shared policies of the U.S. and Mexico. Both countries must share the same policies if they are to share the same boarders. Both countries must also drive out internal corruption and uphold strongly these shared policies. The amount of lives affected by human-trafficking in Mexico is too great and it can no longer be put aside

**Works Cited: **
Bowden, Charles. //Murder City //. New York: Nation Books, 2010. Print.

"Human trafficking in Mexico." //Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 05 28 Sep. 2011. Web. 05 Dec 2011. []

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Wijers, Marjan, and Lin Lap-Chew. //Trafficking in Women, Forced Labour and Slavery-Like Practices //. Netherlands: Foundation against Trafficking in Women (STV), 1997. Print.