Human Trafficking by United Nations Peacekeepers: Mapping the Legal Terrain

Abstract

If a United Nations peacekeeper allegedly is involved in human trafficking, they become part of the problem, rather than the solution. This research finds that human trafficking and UN peacekeeping frameworks are not sufficiently linked to hold peacekeepers accountable for alleged human trafficking crimes. International human trafficking legislation does not aptly apply to troop-contributing countries, whose domestic legislation could be inefficient in combatting human trafficking. Moreover, UN peacekeeping legislation largely omits human trafficking. Lastly, there are practical obstacles to ensuring accountability due to the UN’s weak regulatory system and the reliance of TCCs’ ability and willingness to cooperate.