Child trafficking: an overview of the phenomenon and the case of Greece

Abstract

Trafficking in persons and particularly in children is one of the most illegal actions against humanity. The phenomenon affects the population of all the countries, while it is estimated that 600.000 to 800.00 people are trafficked every year globally; yet 50% out of them are considered children, who are the easiest victims due to their age vulnerability. Family poverty, social gaps and the high demand for cheap labour and sex trade are some of the factors causing such phenomenon to become more and more extreme. Trafficking activities focusing on children are a real scourge. Children are forced to participate in sexual and labour actions, while their freedom is restricted even vanished and their human rights are violated. The international community provides several instruments to cope with such crimes against children and the states are encouraged to enforce their obligations in order to combat effectively the phenomenon. However, Greece does not comply fully with the international law and regulations deriving from the various conventions. Children working or becoming beggars can be daily encountered in the streets there.