Mattar, Mohamed Y.

This article addresses the issue of human trafficking and its broadening definition over the past few decades. It details specific manifestations of trafficking, such as mail-order brides from the Philippines, temporary and transactional marriages in Egypt, and children being sold into marriages or prostitution in parts of Asia. It then describes national measures taken to address human trafficking, such as states incorporating trafficking offences into their criminal codes, and international measures, such as the CEDAW Committee's consideration

The author analyzes Article 43 of the Arab Charter and how it should be interpreted to guarantee expansive rights for women. He argues that national courts must look to international human rights law as a guide to interpret Charter rights. The author explores how the Charter explicitly gives rights protection to women and how its inclusion of "positive discrimination" is beneficial for women's rights in the region. The author explains how domestic courts in Arab countries have been applying international norms of human rights and CEDAW. He notes

This article provides an overview of the trafficking industry in Middle Eastern countries and examines governmental responses. Legislative responses are assessed according to the minimal standards set out in the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The article also looks at the UN Trafficking Protocol to evaluate Middle Eastern governments' responses and what more they need to do to meet their international obligations.

The author calls on Central Asian governments to meet their international obligations to protect trafficked persons. He begins by describing the trafficking infrastructure in these newly independent states and the economic and political vulnerabilities of women and children. Current state approaches to trafficking are also assessed in terms of conceptualizing trafficking as a specific and serious crime, preventing trafficking, protecting and repatriating victims and prosecuting traffickers.