The protection of human trafficking victims in the UK: The role of Palermo Protocol and state obligations in the international law
Book chapter
Anyiwe, L.N. and Ekhator, E. 2025. The protection of human trafficking victims in the UK: The role of Palermo Protocol and state obligations in the international law. in: Durojaye, E., Nabaneh, S. and Bond, J. (ed.) Harmful Practices and Human Rights: An International Perspective Cham Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 267–307
| Authors | Anyiwe, L.N. and Ekhator, E. |
|---|---|
| Editors | Durojaye, E., Nabaneh, S. and Bond, J. |
| Abstract | A prominent international law instrument that provides a legal structure on how to define, prevent, and prosecute human trafficking is the Palermo Protocol. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) created this instrument, which serves as a tool or mechanism to combat the scourge of human trafficking. Consequently, the question arises: why are victims of trafficking in human beings (THB) being prosecuted, when there are mechanisms in place to prevent prosecution? Unfulfilled state obligations have been determined to be one of the main reasons why victims of THB are prosecuted for their involvement in illegal activities. The key focus of this chapter is an assessment of the role state obligations play in international law to prevent prosecution of trafficking victims in the UK. This is against the backdrop of the impact of harmful traditional practices (HTPs) on the fight against the scourge of human trafficking in different parts of the world. |
| Keywords | Human Trafficking; Traditional Oaths; United Kingdom; Palermo Protocol; Human Rights |
| Page range | 267–307 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Book title | Harmful Practices and Human Rights: An International Perspective |
| Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan |
| Place of publication | Cham |
| Series | Human Rights Interventions |
| ISBN | 9783031903328 |
| ISSN | 2946-5117 |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-90333-5_10 |
| Web address (URL) | https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-90333-5_10 |
| File | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
| Output status | Published |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 03 Jul 2025 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Accepted | 24 Nov 2024 |
| Deposited | 08 Jul 2025 |
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