Human Trafficking and its Treatment in Criminal Law

Abstract

Human trafficking is a human rights violation and a crime of human dignity and integrity, which may lead to the enslavement of victims One of the most dangerous human rights violations threatening the international community today is the phenomenon of human trafficking. Trafficking in human beings is directly related to migration, organized crime, prostitution, security, jobs, and health risks. Every year, millions of people—mostly women and children from less developed countries—are exploited. They become objects of an international criminal industry. In Lithuania, there is no established case law dealing with criminal proceedings for cases of human trafficking. Generally, legal proceedings last for several years. In such cases when a person is traumatized, he/she requires assistance and time until the victim is able to talk about the experiences. That is why prosecutors tend to investigate cases that occurred in the past. In the pre-trial stage, the victim is often under pressure and receives threats from accomplices of the accused. Since the victims’ protection system in Lithuania is very weak, frightened victims often change testimony and withdraw their statements. Thus, criminals remain unpunished.