Human Trafficking vs. Human Smuggling

The terms "human trafficking" and "human smuggling" are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.

In the following video, Robin Pike differentiates the two terms.

Human Trafficking vs. Human Smuggling

(Video runtime 01:26)

(Transcript for the Human Smuggling vs Human Trafficking video.)

The U.N. Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air defines human smuggling as the "facilitation, transportation, or procurement of the illegal entry of a person or persons across an international border."

Human Smuggling: Always involves a person illegally crossing over an international border. Is voluntary - the person involved chooses to be smuggled and has made an agreement to pay another person or group of people to commit a crime. Ends when the smuggler gets the smuggled person over the border. Human Trafficking: May involve movement inside the person's own country or across an international border. Is not voluntary - the person has not chosen to be exploited. Does not end when the trafficked person arrives at a destination, but rather continues while the person is exploited for labour or services.

 

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