THE IMPACT OF TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY – CHALLENGES AND COUNTERACTING ON THE EXAMPLE OF POLISH AND UKRAINE

Abstract

The aim of the article is to examine the impact of trafficking in human beings on international security on the example of Polish and Ukraine and to indicate effective preventive and counteracting measures. The first part presents the definition and forms of trafficking in human beings and presents Poland and Ukraine as key countries in the system of movement of victims of this phenomenon, taking into account the impact of the war in Ukraine and links with organized crime. It then analysed the destabilising effects of trafficking in human beings, such as the impact on local communities, threats to border security and global effects, including corruption and money laundering. Next, national, regional and international activities in the fight against human trafficking were presented, emphasizing the importance of Polish-Ukrainian cooperation, the involvement of international organizations and education. The research problem was formulated: How does human trafficking affect international security and what actions can be taken to effectively counteract this phenomenon in Poland and Ukraine? In order to answer the research question, research methods such as the analysis of the literature on the subject, review of legal acts and reports of international organizations were used.