Menneskesmugling og menneskehandel

Background

Narratives of tragedies involving the journeys of irregular migrants are common in the media and are blamed almost invariably on human smuggling facilitators and human traffickers. They are described as rapacious members of highly structured underground transnational criminal organizations, who take advantage of migrants and prey upon their vulnerability.

This seminar contributes to the current debate on migration by providing a window into the lives and experiences of both those who make use of and those behind the facilitation of irregular border crossing journeys.

The speakers will provide new insights and discuss the role of smuggling and trafficking in the context of the current migration situation, in particular paying attention to questions of gender. The seminar will also discuss the crucial differences between smuggling and trafficking, and how these terms have been used in different political contexts.

Drawing on their work in multiple border settings the speakers will in particular pay attention to the differences and similarities of human smuggling and human trafficking to the EU and US.

The seminar goes beyond traditional narratives of victimization and financial exploitation and asks: who are the men and women behind the journeys of irregular migrants worldwide? How and why do they enter the human smuggling market? How are they organized?

How do they understand their roles in transnational migration? What are the differences between smuggling and trafficking? What does a gender perspective on smuggling and trafficking illuminate? How do the involved actors explain the violence and victimization so many migrants face while in transit?

Speakers

Gabriella Sanchez, Assistant Professor in human security studies, University of Texas

Sine Plambech, Postdoc, DIIS

Ninna Nyberg Sørensen, Senior Researcher & Research Coordinator, DIIS

Programme

14.00-14.15

Introduction – risk, gender and violence in international migration

Ninna Nyberg Sørensen

14.15-14.45

"It was a lady the one who got them across": insights into the lives and experiences of the men and women behind human smuggling

Gabriella Sanchez

14.45-15.15

Human trafficking: the political and humanitarian challenges

Sine Plambech

15.15-15.30

Break

15.30-16.00

Discussion

Chair: Ninna Nyberg Sørensen

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