The recent Trafficking in Persons report for 2021 by the US State Department has shed light on the worrying increase in human trafficking instances spurred by the Covid-19 pandemic. This issue, a form of modern-day slavery, involves illegal transportation of individuals through force or deception for various purposes like labour, sexual exploitation, or other financially beneficial activities.
Key Findings of the 2021 Report
According to the report, while India is making significant efforts to eliminate trafficking, it still doesn’t meet the minimum standards. Inadequacies were observed particularly in handling bonded labour. The report also highlights the Chinese government’s engagement in widespread forced labour, including mass arbitrary detention of more than one million Uyghurs and other Muslims.
Reasons for Increased Trafficking Amid Pandemic
The surge in trafficking can be attributed to several factors, including the rise in vulnerable individuals, traffickers’ ability to exploit concurrent crises, and the diversion of resources to pandemic management. These factors have fostered an environment conducive for human trafficking to proliferate and evolve.
Country Classification Based on Anti-Trafficking Efforts
Countries are categorized into three tiers based on their efforts towards eliminating human trafficking, not on the size of their trafficking problem. Tier 1 includes countries like the USA, UK, Australia, Bahrain and South Korea that fully comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards. Tier 2 countries, which include India, are those making significant efforts to align with TVPA’s standards. Lastly, Tier 3 features countries like China, North Korea, and Russia whose governments aren’t making significant efforts to meet the minimum standards. Some “special cases” like Yemen also exist where data collection is hindered due to civil conflict and humanitarian crises.
Legal Framework Against Human Trafficking in India
India’s Constitution, under Article 23 and Article 24, prohibits human trafficking, begar (forced labour without payment), and employment of children under 14 in hazardous jobs. The Indian Penal Code also contains sections like 370 and 370A addressing human trafficking, including child exploitation or any form of sexual exploitation, slavery, and forced organ removal. Other legislations such as the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 also deal with trafficking.
Steps Taken by India to Combat Human Trafficking
India has taken several measures to combat human trafficking. These include establishing an anti-trafficking nodal cell in the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2006, setting up Anti Human Trafficking Units for law enforcement and victim support, and signing international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime. Judicial colloquiums held at the High court involve sensitization of judicial officers about human trafficking issues to ensure swift court processes.
Need for Enhanced Cooperation and Technical Assistance
Moving forward, it is crucial to boost technical assistance and cooperation among all countries to protect victims and bring criminals to justice. Capacity building for police and NGOs, proper data sharing within administrative or agency structures or between countries, implementation of preventive steps like school curriculum inclusion about trafficking crimes are necessary. People should also be encouraged to report any suspicious activity to authorities. These collective efforts can help curb the menace of human trafficking.