United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has said that human trafficking has increased globally. It presented a detailed report on global picture of the patterns and flows of trafficking and regional analysis in the aftermath of the global Covid-19 pandemic. Report said that the number of victims of trafficking increased by 25 % in 2022 compared to the pre-Corona level in 2019.
What is the root cause of trafficking?
The 2024 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons was published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It cited factors such as poverty, sectorial conflict, and climate change as reasons for trafficking menace. Various social and economic conditions are reason for increase in the chances of people being exploited. The report said that child trafficking, forced labour, and forced crime have also increased during the same period. Internationally, the number of victims of forced labour increased by 47 % in 2022 compared to 2019. The number of child victims increased by 31 %. The report said that the trafficking of girls increased by 38 %.
Are girls the main victims?
The report analysed data from 156 countries. Women and girls made up 61 % of the victims of trafficking worldwide in 2022. Of these, 60 % were forcibly trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. There has also been a significant increase in the number of people forced to commit crimes, including online scams. The report said that the number of such crimes had increased from just one percent in 2016 to 8 % in 2022. UNODC Executive Director Ghada Wali called for stronger criminal justice measures to hold perpetrators accountable. He said that cooperation between countries also needed to increase to protect victims and help survivors.
Are there laws in India but no action?
India has ratified the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children in 2011. Article 23 of the Constitution of India prohibits trafficking in human beings and ‘beggar’ and other similar forms of forced labour.
Section 143 to 146 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 provides penal provisions for various forms of trafficking in humans’ habitual dealing in slaves and unlawful compulsory labour. In addition, trafficking for sexual exploitation is also prosecuted under the Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (ITPA) of 1956.
Provisions relating to trafficking related crimes can also be found in the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, in the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, in the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994, in the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
Purpose of Human Trafficking
1. Sexual exploitation (Victims in 2022 - 1,983)
2. Forced labour (Victims in 2022 - 3,335
3. Domestic Servitude (Victims in 2022 – 204)
4. Removal of organs (Victims in 2022 – 17)
5. Forced marriage (Victims in 2022 – 195)
6. Child Pornography (Victims in 2022 – 47)
