Trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation in Southeastern Europe - case study of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia

Bc. Dijana Dedić

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Although slavery and slave trade were abolished long time ago in the world in which we are living, trafficking in human beings is considered to be the slavery of the modern age. Concerns about human trafficking increased after the dissolution of the Soviet Union that was characterized by destruction of communist regimes, low border controls, weak institutions, high level of corruption, bad economic situation and lack of education that resulted with trafficking of thousands of women into Western Europe for purposes of sexual exploitation. This master thesis focuses on human trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation. Research focuses on area of Western Balkans that represents transit routes for human trafficking. First part of this thesis is dedicated to general overview of a phenomenon of trafficking in human beings. Second part takes a look at the situation in the Balkan states in area of human trafficking for sexual exploitation over the last ten years. Finally, third part deals with the research questions, and focuses only on the case study countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. It gives in depth account on the current situation in the case study countries in area of human trafficking for sexual exploitation and legislation framework of this crime. The chapter will finish with the policy proposals that case study countries could adopt and became more successful in combating this crime.

Keywords

trafficking in human beings, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, sexual exploitation, organized crime, the Balkans, Southeastern Europe

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 9. 5. 2012

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 5. 6. 2012
• Supervisor: JUDr. Mgr. Ivo Pospíšil, Ph.D.
• Reader: Mgr. Hubert Smekal, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Master programme / field:
Political Science / European Politics (Eng.)