National Conference on Combating Human Trafficking

• 13 Feb 2025

Why in News? 

Recently, the Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), inaugurated a day-long National Conference on ‘Combating Human Trafficking in the Digital Era’.  

The Commission organized the event in collaboration with Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. 

 Key Points 

• About the Conference: 
  • The conference examined the increasing exploitation of digital technologies in human trafficking. 
  • Discussions focused on the role of the internet, social media, cryptocurrency, and other online tools in facilitating trafficking crimes. 
  • Experts deliberated on preventive measures involving technology, law enforcement agencies, and community participation. 
• Keynote Address by the Chairman: 
  • The Chairman highlighted various forms of digital trafficking, including sexual exploitation, labor exploitation, organ trafficking, and forced marriage. 
  • He elaborated on recruitment strategies such as: 
    • Active Recruitment ("Hook Fishing") – Direct targeting of victims online. 
    • Passive Recruitment ("Net Fishing") – Using digital platforms to attract potential victims. 
  • He emphasized the need for public awareness, stronger regulatory frameworks, and technological solutions to counter digital exploitation. 
• Key Recommendations: 
  • Amend the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (ITPA) to clearly differentiate between child and adult trafficking and explicitly include cyber trafficking. 
  • Establish formal linkages between the ITPA and the IT Act to address digital trafficking-related legal gaps. 
  • Increase public awareness on self-reporting portals like the Centralized Complaint and Prevention of Women and Children (CCPWC) for improved public participation. 
  • Enhance training and resources for Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) to tackle trafficking in the digital era. 
  • Improve data collection mechanisms to systematically track human trafficking cases across different categories for informed policymaking. 
  • Strengthen community engagement to encourage local communities to actively participate in preventing and reporting trafficking crimes. 

 National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) 

• About: 
  • It ensures the protection of rights related to life, liberty, equality, and dignity of individuals. 
  • Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and international covenants enforceable by Indian courts. 
• Establishment: 
  • Established on 12^th October 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993. 
  • Amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006, and Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019. 
  • Established in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted for promoting and protecting human rights.