Abstract

The trafficking of human beings, particularly women and children, raises some important questions in relation to the concepts of globalisation and human rights. This paper seeks to investigate the impact of globalisation on one of the growing global human rights issues, namely trafficking in children. The paper looks at the impact of globalisation on this phenomenon and explores the connection between globalisation and human rights based on an analysis of policies relating to the protection of children’s rights in the European Union. Included is an analysis of institutionally collaborative initiatives, particularly in promoting anti-trafficking initiatives, as well as establishing a viable process to prevent trafficking from taking place and protecting the human rights of children who find themselves victims of trafficking. The processes and effectiveness of these institutional and policy mechanisms used to combat child trafficking in an ever globalising world, will then be examined in relation to the tension between globalisation, European Union enlargement, human security and human rights.