A Parliamentary Discourse on Human Trafficking in the Netherlands
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A Parliamentary Discourse on Human Trafficking in the Netherlands Aracy Pires – 344519 International Public Management and Policy Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences Erasmus University Rotterdam Dr. A.T. Zhelyazkova Dr. S. Grand Word count: 22296 Rotterdam, 5 August 2019 Summary The goal of this thesis is to find out whether the Netherlands is following the observed trend of European politics with regards to migration and human trafficking moving towards stricter policies. Two dominant approaches within this discourse, a victim- based and a security- maintenance approach, are analysed through the theoretical framework on International Relations (specifically realism and constructivism). In order to be able to indicate which approach is most dominant, the researcher observes parliamentary debates on human trafficking in the Netherlands. Parliamentary debates provide an opportunity to grasp both what is happening in society, what public concerns exist as well as senses the political urgency of the matter and how these sentiments will ultimately affect policy. A more security- maintenance approach to the crime, influenced by the migration crisis, could predict the future of anti- trafficking policymaking and could show the need for further research into the links between migration and trafficking and their policies. Ultimately, an observation is made that the Netherlands is quite able to distinguish between migration and human trafficking. In addition, the data shows how the security- maintenance approach and the victim- based approach are intertwined in the discussion on how to best tackle trafficking in human beings. The outcomes could possibly mean that within a context of foreign policy or international cooperation, states not only act in their self- interest (protecting the state and its borders) but can manage to uphold a perspective in which protecting victims is equally as important. 2 Preface Rotterdam, 5 July 2019 Dear reader, After finishing all courses in 2013/ 2014, before you finally lay a thesis finalised during the summer of 2019. This thesis would not have been possible without this hiatus between finishing course work and today. During the first semester of the master programme International Public Management and Policy (IMP), the students received an email regarding a summer programme in Washington D.C. I decided to apply and by the end of May 2014, I moved to Washington D.C. to obtain a certificate at the George Mason University and to work with Polaris Project. One of the leading organisations in the anti- human trafficking movement in the United States, supporting victims of sex and labour trafficking. With this thesis, I conclude the master International Public Management and Policy at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. In this thesis, I present the results of my research on parliamentary discourses regarding human trafficking in the Netherlands. I would like to thank my supervisor Dr. Asya Zhelyazkova for her everlasting patience, insightful feedback, motivation and for setting strict deadlines. Thank you to friends and family for never losing hope and continuing to ask me about my thesis over the years. They convinced me to persevere when I had already decided I was not going to finish the programme. Please enjoy reading this thesis as a lot of thought went into it. I welcome any questions regarding the topic and content of the thesis. Aracy Pires 3 Table of Contents Summary ................................................................................................................................................... 2 Preface ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 5 Research questions ............................................................................................................................... 6 Structure of the thesis .......................................................................................................................... 8 Literature review ................................................................................................................................... 9 Human Trafficking in the Netherlands: policy and instruments ......................................................... 13 Chapter 2. Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................... 16 Realism ................................................................................................................................................ 16 Liberalism and Liberal Intergovernmentalism .................................................................................... 18 Constructivism .................................................................................................................................... 19 Hypothesis ........................................................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 3. Research Design .................................................................................................................... 22 Discourse analysis ............................................................................................................................... 22 Case Selection - The Netherlands ....................................................................................................... 24 Variables.............................................................................................................................................. 25 Validity, reliability and feasibility ........................................................................................................ 27 Chapter 4. Analysis .................................................................................................................................. 29 Defining the problem .......................................................................................................................... 29 Realism ................................................................................................................................................ 31 Constructivism .................................................................................................................................... 34 Discussion of findings .......................................................................................................................... 36 Chapter 5. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 42 General conclusion.............................................................................................................................. 42 Limitations of research and future research....................................................................................... 43 References .............................................................................................................................................. 45 Appendices .............................................................................................................................................. 52 1. List of consulted debates and related documents .......................................................................... 52 2. List of migration debates and related documents .......................................................................... 54 3. Excerpts from AO 2016 - 2018 ........................................................................................................ 56 4 Chapter 1. Introduction In 2013, The Guardian (2013) reported, along with International Non- Governmental Organisations such as Amnesty International (2013) and Human Rights Watch (2013) that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar would only be possible by the exploitation of migrant workers. By 2022, an estimated 4,000 people (mostly migrant workers) will have died in the construction of stadium and in preparation of the World Cup. Only a few months ago, The Guardian (2019b) revealed that 1 in 200 people is a slave, a victim of human trafficking. Trafficking in human beings (THB) is currently, globally the fastest- growing as well as the third- largest crime, as it is recognised as a high profit and low-risk kind of activity for perpetrators (Couch, 2015). The International Labour Organization (2017) estimates 40.3 million to be globally held in modern slavery, of which 24.9 million people were forced into labour in 2016. Considering all trafficking victims and all different forms of trafficking, the figures involving women and children are particularly concerning as over 1 in 4 trafficking victims are children and women make up for 99% of the sex trafficking victims. In recent years, attention to the issue of trafficking in human beings increased due to another global issue affecting many countries, especially in the Middle East and Europe – the refugee and migration crisis. With the 2011 unrest from the Arab Spring escalating in the current civil war in Syria and the rise of Islamic State (IS), the citizens of Syria and neighbouring countries sought refuge with great numbers in their neighbouring countries within the region, as well as in EU member states. Particularly Greece and Italy have been