The National
Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed on January 11 in the United States. It provides an opportunity to educate the public, spread awareness and encourage action against this heinous crime.
Due to
human trafficking, people around the world are often robbed of their joy of living. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about this serious crime that abuses our fundamental rights and dignity.
January is marked as National Slavery and
Human Trafficking Prevention Month, while January 11 aims towards the prevention of illegal practices around the world.
The movement against human trafficking received worldwide support in the late 20s and the early 21st century. In 2007, the US Congress had designated January 11 as the National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Later in 2010, former US President Barack Obama dedicated the entire month of January to awareness and prevention of human trafficking.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) assist countries around the world to ratify and implement the UN Protocol on Trafficking in Persons. It states that an effective response to human trafficking is "transnational, multifaceted and interrelated".
Human trafficking -- Constitutional and legislative provisions in India
In India, the trafficking of persons is prohibited under Article 23 (1) of the Constitution. To prevent trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation, the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act of 1956 is the premier legislation.
Also, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 has come into force as part of which Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been substituted with Sections 370 and 370A which provide for comprehensive measures to counter the menace of human trafficking.
In 2012, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act also came into effect which protects children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
Some of the other legislations related to it are the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006; Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976; Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 among others.
UN report on human trafficking
Based on data gathered from 155 countries, the UNODC report on human trafficking exposes the modern form of slavery.
As per the report, sexual exploitation is the most common form of human trafficking, with 79% of cases. The victims mainly include women and girls. It is followed by forced labour (18%).
Around 20% of all trafficking victims are children across the globe, the report states, adding that in some parts of Africa and the Mekong region, children are in the majority -- up to 100% in parts of West Africa.
Among the worst affected countries due to human trafficking are Afghanistan, Algeria, Belarus, Cambodia, Chad, China, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Papua New Guinea and Syria.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
