Migrations and Their Effect on Human Trafficking – Security Challenges for the European Union

Abstract

For centuries, migrations have been features of social communities, and it is quite certain they will remain so in the future. However, what marks certain periods or circumstances are the causes of migrations, their manifestations, extent, dynamics, the general directions of migrant movement, and the corresponding effects on the safety of individuals, regions, and even international security. In this paper we have defi ned what migrations are and discussed their effect on human trafficking – one of the most dangerous forms of organised crime – and the security challenges in this domain in the European Union area, also with regard to international security. In terms of the variety of its exploitative objectives, human trafficking is an international, organised, criminal phenomenon with severe consequences on the security, well-being, and human rights of its victims. In the opinion of many, sexual exploitation is one of the most widespread forms of exploitation of human traffi cking victims in practice. According to data available to Europol, 10,000 migrant children have so far disappeared after their arrival on European soil. The scope and dynamics of migratory movements of the last few years, and their relation to numerous illegal activities, certainly affect the security of individuals and regions, as well as international security. It is important to consider whether the European Union, in attempting to protect the national security of EU states by numerous restrictive measures, has achieved that in reality, or has actually produced the opposite effect in this area.