Conviction rate in human trafficking cases declining

What is the news?

According to Government data, the conviction rate in cases of human trafficking has been on the decline.

What is Human Trafficking?

Human trafficking also called trafficking in persons, is a form of modern-day slavery involving the illegal transport of individuals by force or deception for the purpose of labour, sexual exploitation, or activities in which others benefit financially.

What is the conviction rate in cases of Human Trafficking?

The conviction rate in Human Trafficking cases has been declining over the past four years. It has dropped from 27.8% in 2016 to 10.6% in 2020.

As ​​many as seven states — Assam, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab — did not see a single conviction in such cases

There is also a delay in awarding compensation to the victims by the district authorities despite orders from the Courts.

But the number of anti-human-trafficking units (AHTU) in the country has increased to 696.

Note: Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) is being established by the Ministry of Home Affairs in districts. Its primary role is law enforcement and liaising with other concerned agencies for care & rehabilitation of victims.

What are the reasons for the decline in conviction rate in cases of Human Trafficking?

Firstly, inadequate support for victims is the primary reason for this as more and more of them are turning hostile which is leading to a high number of acquittals in such cases.

Secondly, there is an absence of a strong and robust mechanism to investigate human trafficking cases that often span across State borders.

Source: This post is based on the article “Conviction rate in human trafficking cases declining” published in The Hindu on 18th Feb 2022.