The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) recently held its 19th meeting in New Delhi, making headlines due to a newly adopted protocol. The focus of this protocol is to enhance cooperation in stopping and battling the increasing threat of human trafficking, particularly involving women and children.
The founder members of the SCO were initially the leaders of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan at a summit in 2001 in Shanghai. At present, the organisation expanded by including India, Pakistan, and the affirmed addition of Iran, making a total of eight member states. The SCO’s headquarters are located in Beijing, China, and the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), an SCO permanent body, resides in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Understanding Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a serious crime that involves the recruitment, transportation, and illegal detainment of individuals through force or coercion for exploitation. This exploitation may manifest as sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery-like practices, servitude, organ removal, among others.
The Protocol: A Key Containment Strategy
The recently adopted protocol aims at enhancing collaboration between educational organisations of the SCO member states. Furthermore, it seeks to exchange national legislation to counteract trafficking and provide protection and assistance to the victims within their competence.
India’s Legislative Response to Human Trafficking
India’s legislative framework against trafficking includes primary acts like the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956, Article 23 and 24 (Right Against Exploitation) of the Constitution of India, and multiple sections in the IPC. Among many others, the Juvenile Justice Act, the IT Act, Prevention of Child Labour Act, and the Bonded Labour (Abolition) Act serve as key tools in legal efforts against trafficking.
India’s Measures to Curb Human Trafficking
India is actively fighting the menace of human trafficking. In 2021, India’s Ministry of Women and Child Development released a draft anti-trafficking bill titled “Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill”. This demonstrated the country’s continuous commitment to counteract trafficking.
Moreover, India ratified international agreements such as the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (the Palermo Convention) and the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution.
Institutional Structures in Place
In addition to legislative measures, India has implemented institutional structures to fight trafficking. For instance, the Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell, established in 2006 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, serves as a focal point to communicate and follow up on state government actions against human trafficking.
Funds were also allocated for developing Anti Human Trafficking Units across 270 districts under a Comprehensive Scheme ‘Strengthening Law Enforcement Response in India against Trafficking in Persons’ through Training and Capacity Building.
Furthermore, schemes like Ujjawala, “SwadharGreh Scheme”, “Sakhi”, and “Universalization of Women Helpline” have been launched to provide a supportive institutional framework for addressing the concerns of victims affected by violence and trafficking.
Through these combined measures and international cooperation, India continually reaffirms its commitment to eradicating the heinous crime of human trafficking.