An analysis of the continuation and expansion of transnational organized crime : the case of human trafficking in Mozambique

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 1992, warring factions in Mozambique put an end to 15 years of violence and instability.By signing the General Peace Accord in Rome, the civil war was officially over, and postconflictreconstruction could begin. The post-conflict state has been struggling with highpoverty, weak infrastructure and the burden of returning refugees as well as internallydisplaced people (IDP's) in the aftermath of the war. Moreover, in recent years, increasingdomestic activity on the part of transnational criminal syndicates has become a major nationaland regional security dilemma.In this study, Mozambique, as a post-conflict state has been examined to identify the mostimportant factors that lead to the increase and continuation in transnational crime in terms ofhuman trafficking. Using prevailing state theories and post-conflict theories within the field ofPolitical Science and analyzing Mozambique from the conceptual theoretical lenses of MaxWeber, Charles Tilly, Shmuel N. Eistenstadt, and several other scholars, it is argued that thereare numerous elements present within the state that have led to an increase in crime. These arefirst and foremost the (neo) patrimonial features of the state, corrupt state-officials, the state'spluralist legal-system and a general lack of public trust in the legitimacy of the government.Incomplete post-conflict reconstruction efforts, resulting in lack of public goods, such ashealth-care, schooling and jobs along with a culture of exploitation and objectification ofwomen and deep-rooted gender-inequality in Mozambique is argued to provide criminalsyndicates with an opportunity to capitalize on organized crimes such as trafficking ofhumans.In recent years, positive developments manifest themselves through the internationalrecognition of human trafficking and domestic ratifications of international laws andprotocols to combat human trafficking. While Mozambique has ratified 'The Protocol toPrevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children thisstudy reveals state factors that make the elimination of the crime of human trafficking inMozambique difficult. The findings of the study are symbolic of a globalized problem.Combating transnational crime does not depend solely on international, regional and domesticcooperation through laws and regulations; it also necessitates increased national efforts indealing with the root-causes of trafficking and to increase the political and public awarenessin the country towards this human rights violation.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University