Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, in Countries of the Middle East: The Scope of the Problem and the Appropriate Legislative Responses

The purpose of this Article is to discuss the scope of the problem of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, in the region of the Middle East, and to examine the legislative responses to this problem. This Article will discuss the forms of trafficking in the countries of the Middle East and explain the current legislative responses to the problem of trafficking. This Article will also evaluate the adequacy of these responses, as determined by the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking in persons set forth by the United States Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 ("TVPA"). The Article will also address what countries of the Middle East must do to comply with the provisions stipulated in the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime ("Protocol").

The Article will conclude by suggesting necessary legislative changes that must be initiated by these countries to combat trafficking in persons in the region.