Critical Analysis Of The Anti-Trafficking Bill, 2021 And Its Likely Impact On Human Trafficking In India

Simran, Christ (deemed to be) University, Delhi NCR

ABSTRACT

One of the worst crimes on the planet is human trafficking. With reference to the modern-day slavery, it has made the lives of millions of people as bad as the curse. This kind of slave exchange has wiped out humanity among those included in it. The 2021 Bill is a revised formulation of the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Protection, and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018, enacted by the Lok Sabha in July 2018. However, the Bill was never debated in the Rajya Sabha, and it expired in 2019 owing to the general elections that year. The Bill aims to create a supportive legal, economic, and social environment to prevent counter-trafficking in persons, children, and women to aid them with protecting and rehabilitation to the victims while respecting their rights. However, the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care, and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021, has been heavily criticized by workers, activists, and academics. The Bill raises concerns for an array of reasons. This paper delves into prevalent concerns by focusing on the human rights and human trafficking derivative concerning the factors involved. The paper shall also focus on a brief critical analysis of the 2018 version of the Bill while putting forward the need for robust and comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation while comparing the legal framework of other countries with the existing framework of India to critically analyse and address the concerns in the Bill such that suggestions and recommendations are advocated to put forward the need for specific reforms as per the procedure within the Bill as when passed and transformed into an act, it aids smoothly in the functioning of the system in the country.

Keywords: human trafficking, modern-day slavery, human rights, forced labour, Victims, legislation