Human trafficking has probably been the most widespread problem we are facing in today’s world. Trafficking in persons is the third largest form of organized crime after trafficking in arms and drugs according to UNODC, 2000. Although it is hard to know how many women and girls are trafficked in India, the U.S. State Department, the United Nations and India’s Human Rights Commission have all identified India as a major hub in the international sex trade, a global phenomenon that may involve upwards of 27 million people. Economic and social inequalities and political conflicts are the roots behind this practice which has led to cross border unrest. Globalization has encouraged free mobility of capital, technology, experts and sex tourism. Illiteracy, dependency, violence, social stigma, cultural stereotypes, gender disparity and endemic poverty among other factors, place women and children in powerless, non-negotiable situations that have contributed to the emergence and breeding of the cavernous problem of sex trafficking in the entire region. This alarming spread of sex trafficking has fueled the spread of HIV infection in South Asia, posing a unique and serious threat to community health, poverty alleviation and other crucial aspects of human development. Although the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Convention on Trafficking in Women and Children has been an important breakthrough, most of the countries in the region do not have anti-trafficking legislation or means to protect the victims. Countries of the region should make a concerted effort to treat trafficking victims as “victims” of human rights violations in all anti-trafficking strategies and actions. The roots of human trafficking can be traced out since the ancient times especially in Egypt and parts of India. However, even today many states of our country indulge in sex trading where young girls of different age are brought and auctioned and then sold to the highest bidder to bid for their virginity. Reasons like these are the prime cause of development of brothels where also girls are sold off to the public. Many times the close relatives are also involved in this kind of practices where upon they claim to find them a job and in return of giving a few thousand grand they take away the girl. Mostly the girls from a weak financial background are targeted because they are considered to be an easy prey. Human trafficking is currently the most critical problem faced by South Asia. The challenges to eradicate human trafficking are significant, but are known and can be addressed. They include-
Lack of knowledge
Lack of a national legal framework
Lack of policy and capacity to respond
Limited protection of victims and their assistance
Limited international co-operation
Trafficking in persons is usually thought of as a “Transitional Organized Crime”. And indeed, many trafficking outfits meet their criteria of transitional organized crime groups as spelled out in the United Nations Conventions against Transitional Organized Crime. Article 23 of the Indian Constitution explicitly prohibits and criminalizes human trafficking and forced labor. It says that Prohibition of human trafficking and forced labour is punishable and should be abolished. The United Nations Human Rights cell has also labeled the trafficking of humans as a violation of the basic concept of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, i.e. “All men are born free and should be living free.” However, the 2014 TIP report states the poor record of prosecution in the region by all countries. In 2013 only 7,124 offenders were identified, 1,904 were prosecuted and 974 were actually convicted. There are more reasons to this as may be said like the sex ratio of males to females in different parts of the country are unequal thus it brings many educated and well learned families into the business of sex trafficking as the number of females to males are low. In this light we can also talk about child trafficking where kids are smuggled sometimes against their will, sometimes by consent and sometimes by will of their parents. Those kids are forced to work in factories under dangerous and inhuman conditions and also sexually exploited by their masters. These are the prime problems India is focusing on, trying to solve by issuing legislations and imposing strict penalties if found guilty.
Human Trafficking is a pernicious crime that causes violation of human rights in the worst form, the impacts of which are far-reaching. Despite increasing global attention and significant, if fractured, national responses, human trafficking is, today, a very tragic reality. 95% of trafficking victims experience physical and sexual violence. While there is clearly support to eradicate trafficking in persons, the challenges are immense. Many trafficking victims still go through the tribulations without anyone identifying them. Confusion between trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants prevent victims from receiving protection and support as their fundamental right. The conviction rate of traffickers remains very low and punishments do not reflect the seriousness of the crime. Human trafficking remains a crime with low risks and high profits and it violates the basic human rights of victims. This article is an in depth insight into the protection of human rights and the dignity of women and children in the Indian context.
Lack of knowledge
Lack of a national legal framework
Lack of policy and capacity to respond
Limited protection of victims and their assistance
Limited international co-operation
Trafficking in persons is usually thought of as a “Transitional Organized Crime”. And indeed, many trafficking outfits meet their criteria of transitional organized crime groups as spelled out in the United Nations Conventions against Transitional Organized Crime. Article 23 of the Indian Constitution explicitly prohibits and criminalizes human trafficking and forced labor. It says that Prohibition of human trafficking and forced labour is punishable and should be abolished. The United Nations Human Rights cell has also labeled the trafficking of humans as a violation of the basic concept of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, i.e. “All men are born free and should be living free.” However, the 2014 TIP report states the poor record of prosecution in the region by all countries. In 2013 only 7,124 offenders were identified, 1,904 were prosecuted and 974 were actually convicted. There are more reasons to this as may be said like the sex ratio of males to females in different parts of the country are unequal thus it brings many educated and well learned families into the business of sex trafficking as the number of females to males are low. In this light we can also talk about child trafficking where kids are smuggled sometimes against their will, sometimes by consent and sometimes by will of their parents. Those kids are forced to work in factories under dangerous and inhuman conditions and also sexually exploited by their masters. These are the prime problems India is focusing on, trying to solve by issuing legislations and imposing strict penalties if found guilty.
Human Trafficking is a pernicious crime that causes violation of human rights in the worst form, the impacts of which are far-reaching. Despite increasing global attention and significant, if fractured, national responses, human trafficking is, today, a very tragic reality. 95% of trafficking victims experience physical and sexual violence. While there is clearly support to eradicate trafficking in persons, the challenges are immense. Many trafficking victims still go through the tribulations without anyone identifying them. Confusion between trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants prevent victims from receiving protection and support as their fundamental right. The conviction rate of traffickers remains very low and punishments do not reflect the seriousness of the crime. Human trafficking remains a crime with low risks and high profits and it violates the basic human rights of victims. This article is an in depth insight into the protection of human rights and the dignity of women and children in the Indian context.
No comments:
Post a Comment