Criminal Liability of Legal Persons for Human Trafficking Offences in International and European Law

Abstract

[Abstract]: The most recent international and European laws against human trafficking require states to impose sanctions against legal entities involved in this crime. They aim to respond to the increasing risks of companies resorting to and benefiting from trafficked manpower. However, in spite of these legal improvements, prosecuting a legal person under trafficking laws still is very difficult. This paper will analyse the different ways in which companies can be, directly or indirectly, involved in human trafficking. Subsequently, it will address the international and European legal response to these patterns of involvement. Finally, the main obstacles that hinder the prosecution and punishment of legal persons liable for trafficking offences will be explained, and several avenues for improvement will be pointed out. Overall, this paper aims to highlight that these difficulties need to be overcome in order to truly guarantee adequate accountability of legal persons that commit human trafficking.