Analysis of the Study of Law Enforcement Challenges from the Perspective of International Marine Law Towards Human Trafficking in Maritime Areas

Abstract

Human trafficking in maritime areas constitutes a form of transnational organized crime that has become increasingly complex due to intensified cross-border mobility and the use of maritime routes as relatively difficult-to-monitor spaces for criminal activities. Although international maritime law provides principles of governing jurisdiction, inter-state cooperation, and law enforcement at sea, its implementation still faces significant challenges, including limited state authority in certain maritime zones, weak cross-jurisdictional coordination, and divergences in national legal systems. This study aims to analyze the challenges of law enforcement under international maritime law in addressing human trafficking in maritime areas and to examine the effectiveness of international cooperation mechanisms in combating such crimes. The research employs a normative legal method with statutory, conceptual, comparative, and case approaches. Data are collected through library research involving international maritime legal instruments, national legislation, legal literature, academic journals, and reports from international organizations. The findings indicate a gap between international maritime legal norms and their practical enforcement, particularly in relation to jurisdictional issues, inter-state coordination, and cross-border crime handling. Therefore, strengthening international cooperation frameworks and harmonizing national and international legal systems are essential to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement against human trafficking in maritime areas.