CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH RESULTS/ FINDINGS…
6.1 Summary and Conclusions of the Research Findings
Human trafficking is a global phenomenon affecting almost all societies in different parts of the world. The magnitude and trends of human trafficking differ from one region to the other and among different countries. The Union of Burma, which is no exception to this phenomenon, has been used in this study to demonstrate the impact of human trafficking and
781 Alexis A. Aronowitz, „Contrasting Perspectives on Human Trafficking‟, Human Trafficking, Human Misery:
The Global Trade in Human Beings, Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, (2009): 29.
782 Emser, M (2013), op. cit.
783 Emser, M (2013), op. cit.
Page | 130 its ramifications. The prevalence and proliferation of conflicts around the world from different countries and regions largely affect the lives of civilians and result in unprecedented numbers of involuntary displacement. As a result, conflict exacerbates already existing vulnerabilities and creates new vulnerability factors that create conditions conducive for human trafficking. In countries such as the Union of Burma, where conflict has been on- going for six decades, human trafficking flourishes.
As discussed in Chapter 2, human trafficking is an amorphous and ambiguous phenomenon that is surrounded by divergent and competing understandings and definitions. As a result, the focus of attention provokes varying perspectives depending on whether one is concerned with the commercial sex trafficking, irregular migration, or with the involvement of organized crime or human rights. Thus, due to the numerous understandings of the phenomenon, it has come down to a question of what forms and trends human trafficking may take and which acts constitute human trafficking. Key conceptual approaches commonly used to conceptualise and define human trafficking have been identified by scholars and researchers. These have dominated the international discourse on trafficking as well as influenced the domestic discourse of some countries. The key conceptual approaches have problematised human trafficking as: (i) a modern form of slavery, (ii) a sexual exploitation or prostitution problem (iii) a problem of transnational organised crime, (iv) a migration problem, (v) a problem of globalisation, (vi) a problem of labour exploitation, or (vii) a human rights problem. These conceptual approaches to human trafficking represent competing and diverging perceptions and understandings of the nature and causes of the trafficking problem, illuminating its complex and multi-dimensional nature.
When unpacking literature on existing studies on human trafficking in Burma, two dominant categories can be identified, distinguishing those following a sexual exploitation perspective and those following irregular migration. Nevertheless, the domestic human trafficking discourse parallels that of the dominant international discourse. Most of the existing literature on trafficking in Burma is related to the increased demand and supply of mainly women in the sex industries in the GMS. This exclusive approach to human trafficking has undermined and overlooked other forms and trends that are existent in conflict settings, trends that are not existent during times of peace. In addition, such an approach tends to overlook how conflict aggravates existing vulnerabilities to human trafficking.
Page | 131 As a result of this gap in literature and research, new conceptual tools and frameworks are needed to unpack this multidimensional and complex phenomenon. As maintained in Chapter 3, human trafficking is a phenomenon which represents the uncertainty and unpredictability of the modern world. Human trafficking is a multidimensional phenomenon fraught with distinct and overlapping issues that are not always orderly or easily categorised. Thus, human trafficking does not occur in a vacuum, there are variables where human lives, frailties, abuse, exploitation and opportunism intersect that all are specific components of the complex phenomenon of human trafficking. In the context of Burma, human trafficking and conflict are complex phenomena that are mutually reinforcing. Several factors driven by the conflict influence the processes by which Burmese people are trafficked, therefore, this illuminates the structural ways in which the conflict supports trafficking of Burmese men, women and children.
As a multi-ethnic country which has continued to suffer political instability since independence in 1948, the Union of Burma has become one of the major source countries of refugees and has large numbers of internally displaced persons. As evidenced in Chapter 4, the conflict in Burma has resulted in the loss of countless lives, displacement of millions of citizens and led to the countries poor economic and social conditions. Burma is a source country for men, women, and children exposed to forced labour, and for women and children exposed to sex trafficking in other countries. While various policies and counter-trafficking initiatives have mushroomed at the regional and national level, more efforts are needed.
As demonstrated in Chapter 5, conflict creates unique sets of vulnerabilities which need to be taken into consideration in any discussion on human trafficking in conflict settings.Zones of conflict are often characterized by a lack of basic human security, where lawlessness exists.
During conflict, people are physically unprotected from violence and abuse and have no legal protections because of the absence of law enforcement and the dysfunction of legal systems.
Livelihoods are disrupted, desperate poverty is endemic, social systems break down. Of note, many of the conflicts in the world today are being fought by irregular armies in which patterns of enslavement are prevalent. Therefore, these combatants use forced labour, conscripted child soldiers, and sexual slaves. Thus, the patterns and economies of trafficking are established and nourished in zones of conflict.
Against this backdrop, there is need for new approaches to research on human trafficking in the context of Burma. Important policy recommendations are needed and can be achieved if
Page | 132 significant attention is invested in researching and unpacking the root causes of trafficking, an area which has largely been neglected. To address the root causes of trafficking in Burma means that the structural, economic, cultural and political problems that continue to entrench discrimination, inequality, exclusion and exploitation which perpetuate the conflict in Burma need to be addressed.