The Globe and Mail - Tempers Run High at the UNHRC MS Conference

By Rebecca Kim

While in Canada the practice is driven deep underground, human trafficking continues to affect millions across the globe. The UNHRC MS meets on December 1 and 2, 2018 to establish the possible solutions and impact of human trafficking. Venezuela, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Slovakia, Peru, Nigeria, Nepal, Mexico, Iraq, Cuba, China, and Brazil came together to establish how to address this current issue.

After discussing the issues at hand, with input from different countries, the solutions provided are varied. Peru stated that, “Human trafficking affects my country by giving us a bad reputation making it harder to find allies. It also increases poverty levels in Peru and there are lots of refugees that are affected.” Mexico brought up the possibility of being rushed in regards to border control, and discussed their concerns with human traffickers taking advantage of people attempting to illegally immigrate to the United States of America. “With poverty usually comes human trafficking,” said the delegation from Iraq, “when people are living in poverty, their basic human rights are more easily violated. There are rich people who will pay for slaves and the poor will go with them desperate for some food or a small pay. These people in poverty most likely don’t have enough money to attend post-secondary school.” The United Kingdom was concerned about how human traffickers could come from the Middle East and would negatively affect the United Kingdom.

Possible solutions arose and fell, but there were two most prominent solutions going head to head. The first solution, offered by the United Kingdom, Peru, Nigeria, and Slovakia, was to raise awareness of human trafficking through media and propaganda. The United Kingdom also suggested that government cease important and valuable lands to prevent slave farmers. Cuba suggested to raise imprisonment for human traffickers in hopes of building fear for the traffickers.

Meanwhile, Mexico and Iraq proposed a different solution. Mexico and Iraq suggested that the UN provide free post-secondary education for people who make $80 000 a year or less. The plan for the operation’s funding is by donation from committed countries GDP’s.

They believe that poverty brings desperation for money or basic human needs. This is where people living in poverty begin to fall into the hands of human traffickers. They hope to eliminate poverty by increasing education, which will in turn, eradicate human trafficking. Iraq stated that, “People just want to be happy. I hope to build relationships with the countries who will support our solution.” Mexico intends to increase the police force and interview married couples with a significant age gap. “Say a 50 year old man is engaged to a 19 year old, if the police interview them separately, the 19 year old girl has a safe opportunity to confess to the police that they are a victim of human trafficking and their situation.” When Mexico was asked on whether they agreed with the United Kingdom, Cuba, Peru, and Slovakia’s proposition, they responded with, “Though it may help a bit, it may also do the opposite and cause harm. It may cause another endless cycle.”

Tempers were running high as a heated debate began to occur on the pros and cons of these two possible solutions. Slovakia raised a point saying that Mexico had stated that whatever Slovakia donated from their GDP, would receive 3 times that amount back. Slovakia continued to say, “that is bulls**t” (sic). A delegate using extremely coarse language in a committee session is not only foul, but extremely troubling and concerning. This was an unprecedented display of misconduct on the international stage. Mexico responded to this claim saying, “The offer that Slovakia stated I made was true. Without an education, you would probably work in a factory, get lung cancer, and die.” Immediately after Mexico finished speaking, Slovakia publicly asked the dias if it was possible to declare war. The shock of diplomat from Slovakia’s foul language was nothing compared to this inquiry. To not only ask, but to publically, in front of all delegates, ask if it is possible to declare war is not only bold, but extremely disconcerting. Slovakia was given a warning from the dias, and the heated debate continued between the two propositions. The first committee session ended in disagreement. As to whether Slovakia will actually declare war remains to be seen, but the entire world will be watching with trepidation.

Through a bumpy first committee session, some positive solutions arose that are still being discussed. The UNHRC MS is still attempting to come to a conclusion about the route to take to tackle this challenging issue. The second day of the conference will hold new ideas and possibilities that will hopefully lead us to a brighter future and a world without human trafficking.