HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Published on 04 Feb 2025

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), “human trafficking is the recruitment, transfer, transport, receipt or harbouring of people through fraud, force or deception with the primary aim of exploiting them for profit.”

Reasons behind the increase in human Trafficking

• Social 

• Globalization and Migration: The demand for cheap labour and services in wealthier countries can lead to migration, and migrants often become targets for traffickers who exploit their vulnerability and lack of legal protections.

• Example: The 2022 World Migration Report states that out of all the identified trafficking victims worldwide 45% had been trafficked across international borders.

• Gender Inequality and Discrimination: Women and girls are disproportionately affected by trafficking, often due to social and cultural norms that devalue their rights and opportunities. Traffickers exploit this gender inequality.

• Example: Discrimination against girls and women in some communities may lead to their exploitation through forced marriages, sexual exploitation, or domestic servitude.

• Cultural Practices and Norms: Cultural practices, such as child marriage or bonded labour, can contribute to trafficking by normalizing exploitative conditions and limiting opportunities for victims.

• Example: Cultural norms that permit child marriage might make young girls vulnerable to being trafficked into marriage or exploited in domestic servitude.

• Social Exclusion and Marginalization: Minority groups, indigenous communities, and socially marginalized populations are often targeted by traffickers due to their lack of access to resources, education, and protection.

• Weak Legal Frameworks and Corruption: Inadequate legal systems and corruption in law enforcement can allow traffickers to operate with impunity, making it difficult to prosecute and bring them to justice.

• Example: Police filed charge sheets in 84.7% of all the human trafficking cases registered in 2021 under the Anti-human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) out of which the conviction rate is just 16%.

• Economic 

• Poverty and Economic Disparities: Individuals living in poverty are more susceptible to trafficking due to a lack of access to education, job opportunities, and basic necessities. Traffickers exploit their desperation for better economic prospects.

• Unemployment and Lack of Opportunities: Limited job opportunities and unemployment can push people to seek employment abroad, making them vulnerable to deceptive recruitment practices by traffickers.

• Demand for Cheap Labour: High demand for cheap labour in industries like agriculture, construction, and domestic work can encourage traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals through deceptive recruitment and forced labour.

• Example: 24.9 million people are working as forced labour worldwide at any given time.

• Developmental factors 

• Lack of Awareness and Education: Lack of awareness about human trafficking and its risks can make individuals more susceptible to falling into traffickers' traps.

• Displacement and Refugee Crises: Displaced populations and refugees are often targeted by traffickers who promise them safety, but instead subject them to exploitation and abuse.

• Example: According to the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime Report- sexual exploitation at 79% is the most common form of human trafficking, of which girls and women are the most common victims.

• Technological Advancements: The digital age has created new avenues for traffickers to recruit and exploit victims through online platforms, social media, and communication technologies.

• Example: The rise of the internet and social media can expose children and young people to online predators who engage in human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Steps Taken to Address Human Trafficking 

• Legislative measures 

• Constitutional protection: The constitutional provisions of the right to equality, right to life and personal liberty provide certain protection against human trafficking.

• Example: The constitution of India under Article 23 provides protection against traffic persons and forced labour.

• Enactment of Laws: The government enacted laws for criminalizing trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation and provides a legal basis for prosecuting traffickers and protecting victims.

• Example: The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 aims to stop immoral trafficking and prostitution in India.

• Integrated Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs): The government has established specialized Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) in various states and union territories to handle trafficking cases, investigate offences, and support victims.

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012: It is a special law to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

• Steps by State Governments: States have also enacted specific legislations to deal with the issue

• Example: Like the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act, 2012.

• Developmental measures 

• Crisis Intervention Centres: The government has established Crisis Intervention Centres (CICs) to provide immediate assistance and support to victims, including medical care, counselling, and legal aid.

• Cross-Border Coordination: India has signed bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries to enhance cooperation in addressing human trafficking, including the exchange of information and mutual legal assistance.

• Anti-Trafficking Cell (ATC): It was set up in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2006 to act as a focal point for communicating various decisions and follow up on action taken by the State Governments to combat the crime of Human Trafficking.

• Judicial Colloquium: In order to train and sensitize the trial court judicial officers, a Judicial Colloquium on human trafficking is held at the High court level.

• Awareness and Sensitization: The government conducts awareness campaigns and programs targeting communities, law enforcement agencies, and stakeholders to enhance understanding and prevention of human trafficking.

• Example: Operation of the SWADHAR Greh Scheme, offering temporary shelter and support services to women in distress, including trafficking survivors.

• Global measures 

• UN Convention: India ratified (in 2011) the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNCTOC) which among others has a Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.

• SAARC Convention: India has ratified the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution.

• Bilateral Mechanism: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bangladesh for the Prevention of Human Trafficking in Women and Children, Rescue, Recovery, Repatriation and Reintegration of Victims of Trafficking was signed in June 2015.

Way forward

• Legislative measures 

• Strengthen Legal Frameworks: Enhance and enforce existing laws related to human trafficking, ensuring stringent penalties for traffickers and providing comprehensive victim support.

• Continuous Evaluation and Adaptation: Regularly assess the effectiveness of anti-trafficking strategies, adapt approaches based on evolving challenges, and continuously improve efforts.

• Example: The Justice Verma Committee, 2012 had recommended a census of the missing children.

• Perception management measures 

• Victim-Centered Approach: Prioritize victim protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society, addressing their physical, psychological, and socio-economic needs.

• Example: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime launched the Blue Heart Campaign, which raises awareness about human trafficking and encourages individuals to show solidarity by wearing a blue heart emblem.

• Prevention and Awareness: Conduct targeted awareness campaigns to educate communities, vulnerable groups, and potential victims about the dangers of human trafficking and ways to protect themselves.

• Empowerment and Education: Focus on empowering vulnerable communities through education, skill development, and livelihood opportunities, reducing their susceptibility to trafficking.

• Example: Educating children on the crime of trafficking by including the same in their school curriculum.

• Community Engagement: Involve local communities in anti-trafficking efforts, encouraging them to report suspicious activities and supporting survivors.

• Corporate Responsibility: Encourage businesses to adopt ethical labour practices, conduct supply chain audits, and avoid sourcing products or services from entities involved in trafficking.

• International cooperation

• International Partnerships: Collaborate with international organizations, foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations to share best practices, resources, and expertise.

• Cross-Border Cooperation: Strengthen collaboration with neighbouring countries to share information, coordinate efforts, and address cross-border trafficking networks.

• Other measures 

• Capacity Building: Provide training and capacity-building programs for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judges, and other stakeholders involved in combating trafficking.

• Coordination and Monitoring: Establish multi-agency coordination mechanisms at the national, state, and local levels to streamline efforts, facilitate information sharing, and monitor progress.

• Example: The PACT (Partnership Against Child Trafficking) Coalition is a collaborative effort among governments, NGOs, and the private sector to prevent and combat child trafficking and exploitation.

• Technology and Innovation: Leverage technology and innovation to track and combat trafficking, including using online platforms to raise awareness and monitor suspicious activities.

• Media and Advocacy: Engage media, journalists, and influencers to raise awareness, expose trafficking cases, and advocate for stronger anti-trafficking measures.

The menace of human trafficking is huge, and there is a need to not just prevent such crimes but also ensure that the relief and rehabilitation process takes place in a smooth manner. Policies further need to be improvised and appropriate actions should be taken by various agencies and stakeholders.

Tags:
Security

Keywords:
Human trafficking Internal security Migration transnational crimes Organized crimes

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Internal Security