CHILD TRAFFICKING

NEWS: Child trafficking continues to be a grave human rights violation in India.

ABOUT

• The Palermo Protocol defines child trafficking as: Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a child for the purpose of exploitation
• Under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Trafficking includes: Recruitment, transport, harbouring, transfer or receipt, by force, coercion, fraud, deception, abuse of power or inducement
• NCRB data: 3,098 children rescued in 2022
• 53,000+ children rescued (Apr 2024–Mar 2025)
• Conviction rate (2018–2022): only 4.8%

Constitutional Protection of Children

• Article 23 – Prohibits: Human trafficking, begar and forced labour
• Article 24 – Prohibits: Child labour in hazardous industries
• Article 39(e) & (f) (DPSPs): Protection from abuse and exploitation, Healthy development with dignity, Protection from moral and material abandonment

Key Laws to Tackle Child Trafficking

• Sections 98–99, BNS → Selling & buying of minors
• Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2013: Expanded definition of trafficking
• Juvenile Justice Act: Care, protection & rehabilitation
• POCSO Act: Sexual offences against children

Way Forward

• Strengthen social & economic rights of children
• Improve conviction rates → deterrence
• Regulate online platforms & recruitment ads
• Victim-centric rehabilitation
• Strong Centre–State coordination