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Context

• Recently, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was observed.

Human Trafficking

• Human trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation.
• Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide.
• The definition of trafficking consists of three core elements:

1. 1. The act of trafficking, which means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons.
   2. The means of trafficking which includes threat of or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power, or position of vulnerability.
   3. The purpose of trafficking is always exploitation.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

About

• Each year it is observed on July 30.

Aim

• The day raises awareness and calls for action to combat human trafficking.
• It also aims to put pressure on governments, law enforcement agencies and civil society to strengthen the prevention of trafficking and the identification and support of victims.

History

• The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was established by a United Nations resolution and first observed in 2014.
• The resolution reaffirms the United Nations' commitment to combat trafficking, especially concerning women and children, as it poses a significant threat to human dignity, physical integrity, human rights, and development.

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023: Theme

• The theme of World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2023 is ‘Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind’.
• This theme, according to UNODC, emphasises the need to end the exploitation of trafficking victims, provide support to survivors after their liberation, and protect vulnerable groups from falling prey to traffickers.

Significance

• Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims.
• The significance of World Day against Trafficking in Persons lies in the fact that global crises, conflicts, and climate emergencies have increased the risk of trafficking.
• Those with insecure legal status, living in poverty, facing discrimination, violence, and coming from marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable.
• The Covid-19 pandemic has further complicated the situation, pushing trafficking underground and reducing the chances of crimes coming to authorities' attention.
• Unfortunately, the criminal justice response to trafficking has slowed in recent years, with detection and conviction rates witnessing significant drops, as reported by UNODC.
• Hence, the observance of this day becomes even more crucial in addressing and combating this heinous crime.

Trafficking in Persons and the World Agenda for Sustainable Development

• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations in 2015 and also known as the Sustainable Development Goals, established trafficking prevention and the end of trafficking in persons as a global priority.
• The 17 goals and 169 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals focus international efforts on ending poverty, reducing inequality, protecting the planet, promoting inclusivity and creating sustainable economic growth. A major objective in achieving the SDG goals is the end of human trafficking.

• • Goal 16 — "Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies" — calls for the end of abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
  • Goal 8 — "Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all" — calls for immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor and end modern slavery and human trafficking.
  • Goal 5 — "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls" — requires the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, including trafficking and all types of exploitation.
• The fact that multiple goals address trafficking in persons in different contexts confirms that human trafficking is a global crisis and it's feeding on the vulnerable in the world.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/human-trafficking-18

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/human-trafficking-40

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Global crises, conflicts, and climate emergencies have increased the risk of trafficking and the Covid-19 pandemic has further complicated the situation, pushing trafficking underground and reducing the chances of crimes coming to authorities' attention. Analyze.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/russia-africa-summit-vladimir-putin-grain-gamble-8867065/