Victims of Human Trafficking: A Human Rights Perspective

Abstract

The major focus of the article is the status and conditions of the victims of human trafficking and their rights and needs. Human trafficking, as we all know, is one of the most serious crimes in the world. It is a crime against humanity and involves violation of human rights, human dignity and exploitation of human beings. Human Trafficking is a transnational organized crime and is a form of modern day slavery. The persons who have been victim of human trafficking have been deprived of their basic fundamental rights, that is, their human rights. The exploitation takes place mostly with women and children. This exploitation of the victims include sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological trauma due to severe cruel acts being done towards them, use of force or coercion, forcing them to indulge into sexual activities and forced prostitution, taking away their identity documents in the country of destination, giving them inhumane treatment, depriving them of their basic human rights to live with dignity, etc.The author, in this article, describes the characteristics of the victims of human trafficking and also highlights the major risk factors of the adult as well as children which make them vulnerable to human trafficking. Further, the article, describes the basic and major needs of the victims of human trafficking distinguishing between the needs of the international and domestic victims. The article also highlights on the methods for identification of these victims of trafficking which are mainly carried out with the help of law enforcement officers, health care or medical professionals, social workers, NGOs etc. It also gives an estimation of the number of victims being trafficked and the profit earned due to trafficking by the perpetrators. Furthermore, the author, in this article discusses the Intensive Case Management approach which is taken up by many professionals to deal with the victims of trafficking effectively and support and provide them with their basic needs. The author, in this article, also highlights and emphasizes the rights of the victims of trafficking which is provided by the Trafficking in Persons protocol and concludes with the different laws, conventions and protocols enforced by the International community in effectively dealing with these victims of human trafficking which have been enforced with a victim-centred approach.