Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Slave Trade Alive in Iraq. | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat- A smuggler has revealed To Asharq Al-Awsat that human trafficking is on the rise in Iraq, particularly along the Iraqi borders. The smuggler who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the smuggling business in Iraq starts with weapons and ends with the &#34White Flesh&#34, (smuggling term for human trafficking) and that Female university students are among the victims of the trade.

The smuggler, a 48-year-old Iraqi man, says that smuggling operations have now become more dangerous then ever, and that the proper attention needs to be given to the phenomenon, because the new generation of smugglers will deal with anything no matter what the consequences are. Initially smuggling operations dealt with weapons, gold, and alcohol and tobacco, but has recently extended to people and human organs.

The smuggler also added that the human trafficking operations are a reality, and that an extremely complex network manages it, but are difficult to penetrate

&#34They recruit women by tempting them with jobs in neighboring Gulf countries. They then get the women a visa or a contract, but sometimes they actually marry them, and after entering the foreign country they are then forced to get involved in unlawful activities,&#34 he added.

A source within the Iraqi police has confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat, that &#34human trafficking has been widespread lately, due to the circumstances that Iraqis live in today. The problem is not exclusive to gypsies and prostitutes but has also extended to university students&#34.