‘Hyderabad Declaration’ on Human Trafficking

Recently, an Inter-State Declaration of Intent to collaborate in the fight against human trafficking was signed by six States - Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.

• The first of its kind agreement emphasizes on cooperative efforts in intelligence gathering and sharing, witness and legal protection, and rehabilitation and care for survivors.
• Human Trafficking in India: Constitutional & Legislative Provisions - Trafficking in Human Beings or Persons is prohibited under the Constitution of India under Article 23 (1).
• The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) is the premier legislation for prevention of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
• Criminal Law (amendment) Act 2013 has come into force wherein Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code has been substituted with Section 370 and 370A IPC which provide for comprehensive measures to counter the menace of human trafficking.
• Protection of Children from Sexual offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, is a special law to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021: It aims to tackle all aspects of trafficking including the social and economic causes of the crime, punishment to traffickers, and the protection and rehabilitation of survivors.

Institutional Measures: Anti-Trafficking Cell (ATC): It was set up in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2006 to act as a focal point for communicating various decisions and follow up on action taken by the State Governments to combat the crime of Human Trafficking.