HIDDEN HORRORS: HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN IRAQ - A NATION IN NEED OF ANTI-TRAFFICKING LAWS

Abstract

Human trafficking and settler trafficking are universal and general offence that use men, women and children for interest. Many parts of the world witness these kinds of trafficking, here we are discussing trafficking in Iraq. Forced nuptials, household subjugation within the community, family and tribe as well as strained labor and strained prostitution, are all forms of human trafficking that have been recorded in Iraq for a prolonged duration. Since the 2003 invasion and ensuing civil war, Iraq has flattered a more perennial harbor for external hirelings who are at a higher danger of being trafficked and majority migrates from the Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other countries with elevated degree of penury. In consonance to reliable accounts, the Iraqi military trafficked Kurdish women into commercial sex labor during the Anfal campaign in the late 1980s, and women who were displaced during the revolt in southern Iraq in 1991 have been detained for prostitution in the KRG. Increased risks for the most vulnerable women, children, minorities, displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups have also been brought on by the conflict with ISIS in Iraq. However, the Iraqi government officials are yet to bring laws that could prevent these offenders and punish them. Iraq has never brought any anti-trafficking codifications, aiding traffickers to advance to function with indemnity. KEYWORDS: Human Trafficking, Iraq, Migrants, Kurdish, Women, Traffickers.