Human Trafficking-Related Corruption as a Security Challenge: A Study of Cases in South-Eastern Europe

Abstract

[Abstract]: Although corruption is often mentioned as a key factor in human trafficking, so far only a few studies have challenged the lack of data available in this field to dig into the relationship between these interrelated crimes. This paper carries out an analysis of real cases of trafficking-related corruption in Europe, which had been reported in academic sources as well as various institutional documents, in order to offer an overview of the various patterns of this phenomenon. This analysis shows that corruption can reach public officials in different positions, be used in every stage of the trafficking process, and in every kind of exploitation. Subsequently, the paper briefly examines the main legislative and institutional measures for combatting this specific form of criminality at the international and European level. It is important to highlight the role of the Programme against Corruption and Organised Crime in South-eastern Europe (PACO), created by the Council of Europe, which pioneered the elaboration of proposals to address this specific problem. Overall, both the analysis of the patterns of public officials’ involvement in human trafficking as well as the response to this crime serve as a basis to consider the convenience of approaching trafficking-related corruption as a challenge to security.