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“Human Trafficking” during the Armenian Genocide
Abstract
During the Armenian Genocide, women and children were traded, usually for the purpose of sexual slavery, forced labor, or providing a spouse within a forced marriage. Instances in which the trade of individuals occurred may fit the definition of what is called “human trafficking” today. This relatively new term, first used in 1988, can be applied to the activity of buying and selling humans that took place during the Genocide. This paper will discuss the examples of human trafficking during the Armenian Genocide as described by genocide survivors. The United Nations “Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children” (also referred to as the Trafficking Protocol) defines human trafficking as the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force” for the purpose of exploitation which includes prostitution, sexual exploitation, forced labor, or slavery. Human trafficking involves the trade of individuals, and does not require a movement from one place to another. According to this definition, Armenian women and children were often victims of this crime. Women were forced into marriages, prostitution, or harems, and children were forced to work against their will, with their freedom annihilated. This paper will examine the practice of human trafficking of Armenian women and children during the Genocide. It will examine the vulnerability of this population, as well as the role of resilience and agency. Using the UCLA Armenian Oral History Collection of Genocide Survivors, this paper will address the following questions: How were women and children traded? Where did these trades take place (on the death marches, in bazaars, etc.)? What was exchanged during the transactions? What occurred during the negotiation process? How did the victims assert their agency?
Discipline
Other
Geographic Area
All Middle East
Sub Area
Gender/Women's Studies