human trafficking
der Menschenhandel
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human trafficking
The crime of recruiting, transporting, or holding people through violence, deception, or coercion in order to exploit them, for example through forced labor or sexual exploitation.
Die internationale Polizeiorganisation kämpft entschlossen gegen den Menschenhandel.
The international police organization is fighting human trafficking with determination.
| gender | masculine der |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Menschenhandels |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | der Menschenhandel | – |
| accusative | den Menschenhandel | – |
| dative | dem Menschenhandel | – |
| genitive | des Menschenhandels | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The word is made up of 'Mensch' (human/person), in the plural form 'Menschen' (people), and 'Handel' (trade). It literally describes the criminal 'Handel mit Menschen' (trade in people) and is therefore very direct and easy to understand in its meaning.
Die Täter wurden wegen Menschenhandels zu langen Haftstrafen verurteilt.
The perpetrators were sentenced to long prison terms for human trafficking.
'Menschenhandel' (human trafficking) is used almost exclusively in the singular. It describes the criminal offense as a concept or a system, not individual acts that one would count.
Menschenhandel ist eine schwere Verletzung der Menschenrechte.
Human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights.
The term is often used with verbs such as 'bekämpfen' (to combat), 'verhindern' (to prevent), or 'ahnden' (to punish/prosecute). A very typical formulation is also 'Opfer von Menschenhandel werden' (to become a victim of human trafficking).
Die Regierung hat neue Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung des Menschenhandels beschlossen.
The government has adopted new measures to combat human trafficking.
