Trafficking in human beings, more so in women and children, is one of the fastest growing forms of criminal activity, next only to drugs and weapons trade, generating unaccountable profits annually. The reasons for the increase in this global phenomenon are multiple and complex, affecting rich and poor countries alike. India is no exception to this.

The source areas or points of origin are often the more deprived places, regions or countries, and the points of destination are often — although not always — urban conglomerates within or across borders. For all those who view trafficking in economic terms, it is the real or perceived differential between the economic status of source and destination area that is important. The fact that the process of trafficking is designed and manipulated by traffickers for their own ends for which they employ all kinds of means, it would, therefore, be wrong to assume that human beings are always trafficked from undeveloped to more developed places, as this is not always so. This, to a large extent, also signifies that trafficking primarily is a human rights issue for it violates the fundamental human rights of all those who are trafficked.

Promote & Support Human Rights Law Network !