Bilateral Cooperation and Human Trafficking : Eradicating Modern Slavery between the United Kingdom and Nigeria

301 Pages·2018·2.5 MB·English

by  May Ikeora (auth.)

G L O B A L E T H I C S S E R I E S
Series Editor: Christien van den Anker
BILATERAL COOPERATION
AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
ERADICATING MODERN SLAVERY BETWEEN
THE UNITED KINGDOM AND NIGERIA
MAY IKEORA
“This unique publication uncovers a whole new wealth of knowledge about human
trafficking between Nigeria and the UK. It combines strong cultural intelligence
with in-depth academic analysis which is often lacking in much of cross-country
anti-trafficking literature. The difference in perceptions by state actors in Nigeria
and the UK in relation to what constitutes ‘human trafficking’—be it in terms of
culture, human rights, immigration, economic or social factors—has been a huge
barrier in efforts to address this twenty-first-century catastrophe which in my view
is worsening by the day. The debate around ‘consent’ in relation to children,
women in prostitution and the special status of men as improbable victims of
human trafficking erode the ability of states and non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) to devise the right policies and intervention to support victims, especially
in source countries like Nigeria. Whereas little efforts are made in Nigeria in rela-
tion to prevention and protection, the author makes an important, often over-
looked point that state actors might view human trafficking as a social but more
importantly an economic tool to supplement the country’s statutory welfare role
rather than as a human rights or even human-centred issue propagated by Western
countries like the UK—only when it is convenient to do so. The lack of a powerful
anti-trafficking movement in Nigeria has been a huge barrier to counter the above
misconception about the role of the Nigerian state in addressing human traffick-
ing—with much of the lobbying done outside, either by diaspora-based organisa-
tions or other international NGOs. The author’s recommendation for a more
human-centred approach by both countries to tackle human trafficking is a posi-
tive one. This calls for more pro-active efforts by both state parties. I hope we will
get to the point where the welfare of people, including foreign victims, is seen
more in the national interest, rather than as an immigration inconvenience, or a
false economic response to poverty alleviation.”
—Debbie Ariyo OBE, CEO of AFRUCA UK
“Over the years, Edo State has maintained the reputation of being the hub for
human trafficking from Nigeria. This is why tackling human trafficking from Edo
State has become a major priority for the Edo State Government. May Ikeora has
done a good job with this book in articulating what makes human trafficking from
Nigeria peculiar but more importantly, the book explores better ways to cooperate
with destination countries. This book has come at a good time as we have just
inaugurated the Edo State Anti-Trafficking Task Force. It will be a useful tool for
anti-trafficking and a reminder for both Nigeria and the UK to revisit their bilateral
relations on this very important issue which needs to be tackled from both ends.
This is a must-read for relevant government officials and frontline workers.”
—His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki,
Governor of Edo State, Nigeria
“Dr Ikeora has written a work that touches at the heart of contemporary security
challenges that confront not only West Africa but also the world at large. It con-
tributes immensely to the literature and discourse on human trafficking in particu-
lar and migration in general. Although written from a human rights and hence
legal perspective, students of international politics, policymakers, multilateral bod-
ies and others will find this groundbreaking work very useful. I strongly recom-
mend it as compulsory reading for students of law and politics.”
—Thomas Jaye, Deputy Director for Research, Faculty of Academic
Affairs and Research (FAAR), Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping
Training Centre (KAIPTC), Ghana
“Over the last few years our world has woken up in shock at the extent at which
modern-day slavery and human trafficking have globally infiltrated our society and
destroyed so many lives. From domestic servitude and labour exploitation to organ
harvesting and sexual exploitation, children and adults have become increasingly
susceptible and vulnerable to this multibillion dollar industry. The state of affairs has
greatly increased the responsibilities of faith and community organisations to sup-
port government efforts to curb the influx of this trade from Nigeria into the UK.
In this timely and well-researched work the author explores the importance of
contextualising the nature and definition of trafficking, ensuring that anti-t rafficking
movements are driven with the intention of ensuring the best outcomes for victims
and those at risk. While this is not in direct opposition to a law enforcement frame-
work, the author uses her well-p laced understanding of the historical and socio-
cultural backdrop within which trafficking is practiced in Nigeria and the UK to
recommend sustainable solutions that put human beings at the heart of the anti-
trafficking movement. I urge practitioners, policymakers and the public to read,
take inspiration and act. We must all respond to end modern- day slavery today.”
—Rev. Nims Obunge MBE, Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant
for Greater London
Global Ethics
Series editor
Christien van den Anker
Department of Politics
University of the West of England
Bristol, UK
Global Ethics as a field builds on traditions of ethical reflection about
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More information about this series at
http://www.palgrave.com/gp/series/15010
May Ikeora
Bilateral Cooperation
and Human
Trafficking
Eradicating Modern Slavery between the
United Kingdom and Nigeria
May Ikeora
London, UK
Global Ethics
ISBN 978-3-319-62824-0 ISBN 978-3-319-62825-7 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62825-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 2017958964
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018
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To my parents, for your support and inspiration
C
ontents
1 Introduction: International Cooperation and
Anti-Human Trafficking 1
Part I The Global Perspective of Anti- Trafficking and
International Cooperation 27
2 Conceptualising Anti-Trafficking and Protecting People 29
3 International Cooperation on Cross-Border Human
Trafficking 71
Part II Putting Anti-Trafficking into Context:
A Cross-Border Perspective 109
4 Human Trafficking Between Nigeria and the United
Kingdom 111
5 Anti-Trafficking in Nigeria: The Context of a Source
Country 137
ix
x CONTENTS
6 United Kingdom Anti-Trafficking Response:
The Context of a Destination Country 169
Part III Cooperating for Anti-Trafficking: A Case Study 215
7 Bilateral Cooperation Against Trafficking: Nigeria
and the United Kingdom 217
8 Conclusion: Rethinking Approaches to Anti- Human
Trafficking 247
Appendix 263
Bibliography 271
Index 287