To sum up, the protocol shows that in order to define a subject of the law, another
one is excluded and the links between them completely erased. By erasing the human
trafficking and migration link, the protocol reified the state's control over migration
policies, and in this sense, the operational logic of the previous conventions on
trafficking was left unchanged. If the international community is serious about ending
trafficking, first they will have to engage in a serious discussion about social,
economic and gender inequalities, rather than focusing solely on the criminals.
Still, the reality is that the main counter-trafficking policies today are guided by
the protocol and its law enforcement approach. In order to diminish the negative
repercussions on irregular migrants (including trafficked and smuggled persons), this
thesis has proposed a human and gender security approach. If governments are
focusing all their resources in short term solutions and making long term solutions
optional, then it is necessary to implement a strategy that protects individuals from the
state. A human security approach to human trafficking would prevent governments
from using the national sovereignty principle as an excuse to prioritize anti-crime policies over the protection of trafficked persons and migrants, and it creates a double
responsibility to the State and the international community.