Human trafficking and smuggling
The terms "human trafficking" and "human smuggling" are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. In the case of human trafficking, an individual is the victim of serious human rights violations, such as labour exploitation, forced criminal activities, forced organ removal or sexual exploitation. The traffickers appropriate the income from exploiting the victim.
In the case of human smuggling, an individual usually enters into an agreement with a smuggler voluntarily, in order to travel to another country without valid travel documents. Migrants often pay large sums or take on debts to finance their journey. The aim is to smuggle these people across a border.
Risks and causes
Causes
Consequences
What can you do?
Are you a victim? Or are you concerned about a situation? Contact the Belgian contact point for victims of human trafficking. They can be reached 24/7 on +32 78 055 800. In Belgium, there are three specialised centres for victims of human trafficking and smuggling. You can also contact the police.
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe human trafficking and smuggling of considerable magnitude. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- Migration flows of less than 10,000 people per year.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Moderate
Human impact
Very weak
Societal impact
Weak
Environmental impact
No impact
Financial impact
Weak
What do the authorities do?
Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, is responsible for this domain and promotes the fight against human trafficking and smuggling. Myria acts as secretary for an interdepartmental coordination unit to combat trafficking and smuggling of human beings.
The Interdepartmental coordination unit to combat trafficking and smuggling of human beings (CIC) acts as the national coordination unit for policy on human smuggling and trafficking. The Minister of Justice is the President. The CIC brings together all the federal actors, both strategic and operational, involved in the fight against human trafficking and smuggling, and is responsible for developing Belgian policy in this area.
As an independent national rapporteur, Myria publishes an independent, public report every year, which assesses the progress and results of the fight against human trafficking and smuggling.