Jakarta, IO – Transnational crime is an issue that directly intersects with human security. The development of the world is still ongoing and offers various conveniences in all respects for human life. But at the same time, this convenience also has consequences for the security of the world community and requires them to be more careful about possible adverse impacts that may occur.
The freedom that is created can trigger the practice of cross-border crimes committed by individuals, even organized groups whose presence is spread across several countries. The easier mobilization and movement of people, the sophistication of information technology and transportation make boundaries and distances between countries erode and in turn, become the main trigger for transnational crimes.
According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), there are more than 450,000 victims and 300,000 perpetrators of human trafficking between 2003 and 2021 (UNODC, 2023). This makes transnational crime categorized as a serious issue to address because of its implications for threats to global security and prosperity.
To combat human trafficking comprehensively and effectively, the world community formulated an international agreement called the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) in 2000 and produced a legal framework for dealing with transnational crime as well as a guide for world countries in designing efforts to combat cross-border crime.
From the agreement formed, the United Nations classifies cross-border crimes into several types, one of which is the practice of human trafficking, especially for women and children.
As the most populous country in the world and developing country, Indonesia was detected as a main source of transit country and destination for victims of human trafficking with various motives. It is estimated that at least 100,000 to 1 million women, men, and children are exploited for sexual purposes and used as forced laborers in various businesses every year (UN Trust Fund for Human Security, 2011).
Recognizing the global threat that can come at any time and endanger its entire community more broadly, Indonesia is actively involved in signing the convention on organized crime formed by the United Nations, ratifying it, and adopting it into national regulations as a form of concern for the issue of cross-border crime, especially human trafficking.
UNTOC as an international legal umbrella overcoming crimes of human trafficking
The United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is an international agreement under the auspices of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which aims to fight and prevent cross-border crimes between countries. The urgency in dealing with cross-border crimes in the form of cooperation and the concerns of world countries for the safety of their citizens about world developments that are difficult to control are the background for the formation of this legal instrument.
The intent and purpose of the convention can also be seen in its article number 1 which emphasizes the importance of strengthening cooperation in fighting the global threat of transnational crime. Compared to other legal instruments, this convention has a unique form. Because the convention overshadows the 3 protocols under it, namely regarding human trafficking, especially women and children which came into force in 2003; migrant smuggling in effect from 2004; and manufacture and trade in illicit firearms with effect from 2005 (UNODC, nd).
This serves to describe the regulations in more detail and provide flexibility to United Nations member states in the process of negotiating and ratifying them. In this case, all countries are given the freedom by following their respective national interests to ratify only the convention, or as a whole, and together with the three protocols.