NHRC directed all states to have 'anti-human trafficking (AHT) nodal officer'

Posted 03 Jun 2024

2 min read

After ensuring criminal action against those involved in selling minor girls on stamp papers in Rajasthan's Kanjar community, the NHRC directs states to appoint AHT Nodal Officers.

These officers shall not be below the rank of a State Secretary or an inspector general of police.
They are mandated to coordinate with the government and take effective measures through District Anti-Human Trafficking Units (led by officers, not below Deputy SP) to combat human trafficking.

Human Trafficking

Definition: Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception to exploit them for profit (UN).
Status: In 2022, India reported 2,250 human trafficking cases (NCRB).
Regulation: Since ‘Police’ is a State subject, registration, investigation and prevention of human trafficking is primarily the responsibility of State Governments.
Constitutional Provisions: Article 23 prohibits human trafficking; Articles 39(e) and 39(f) ordain that no one is forced into unsuitable work due to economic necessity.

Causes of Human Trafficking

Economic: Poverty, unemployment, migration, and lack of access to quality education.
Political: Political instability, war, and natural calamities, etc.
Cultural Practices: Devaluation of women and girls in a society, Child marriage, etc.

Initiatives against human trafficking

Global: Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking In Persons, Especially Women and Children adopted by the UNGA in 2000.
India
- Legislations: Immoral Traffic Prevention Act, 1956
- Anti-Human Trafficking Units: The Ministry of Home Affairs funds all States/ UTs under the Nirbhaya Fund to set up/strengthen AHTUs in every district.
- Cri-MAC: Facilitates dissemination of information about significant crimes, including human trafficking cases on a real-time basis.
- Mission Shakti: Under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Its Shakti Sadan sub-scheme provides Integrated Relief and Rehabilitation Homes for women in distress situations (including trafficking).