New Delhi, July 28 (Agency) Representatives from the U.S., India, Nepal and Bangladesh have come together to pledge their commitment to working together to combat “Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking”. Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi and U.S. Consul General Melinda Pavek joined representatives from U.S, India, Nepal and Bangladesh, here for a two-day consultation to collaborate on strategies that will effectively address online human trafficking, enable response mechanisms and strengthen collaboration between source and destination states and agencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing situations of vulnerability to trafficking in persons, especially in cyber and digital contexts, and increased the number of individuals at risk.
This conclave sought to help synergize and amplify efforts as well as pave the way for active collaborations. The two-day South Asia Conclave on Working Together to Combat “Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking – Emerging Challenges,” on July 28-29 was organized by the U.S. Consulate General Kolkata in partnership with national anti-trafficking organization Shakti Vahini and CyberPeace Foundation, a think tank of cybersecurity and policy experts with the vision of pioneering Cyber Peace Initiatives to build collective resiliency against cybercrimes. July 30 will mark World Day Against Human Trafficking. This year’s theme focuses on the role of technology as a tool that can both enable and impede human trafficking.? With the global expansion in the use of technology – intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift of our everyday life to online platforms – the crime of human trafficking has infiltrated cyberspace. As a run-up to July 30, the conclave provided a platform for knowledge sharing by international and national-level anti-trafficking experts, cyber-crime professionals, senior police officers, prosecutors, tech-companies, think-tanks and survivor advocates to find common solutions to these emerging cyber-threats.
Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, in his inaugural address, said, “Across the world, online sexual abuse and trafficking has grown exponentially as physical and geographical limitations no longer exist due to easy access provided by the Internet. The pandemic has further resulted in increased creation and sharing of online sexual exploitation material. Unfortunately, there is no international law or convention that prevents online human trafficking. It is crucial to have stringent laws around access and use of data, to be able to address this global phenomenon at its source. Latest technology, rigorous surveillance, direct action and rehabilitation must be used to tackle online sexual abuse.” “Whether it’s right here at our doorsteps in the Sunderbans or in Indonesia, Malaysia, Kathmandu, Dhaka, Rangoon, or San Francisco, human trafficking remains a global issue and the United States is committed to continuing to work together with international partners,” said U.S. Consul General Melinda Pavek.
“The use of technology also provides a great opportunity. Technology can aid investigations and shed light on the operating procedures of trafficking networks. Technology can enhance prosecutions by building cases based on digital evidence which will alleviate the suffering of victims during criminal proceedings. Technology can be used to provide support services to survivors, helping them recover and rebuild their lives. I would also like to express appreciation to all the others you are representing, whose dedicated efforts make a daily difference. And finally, I salute the survivor leaders who are our biggest allies in this fight – your voices matter, your leadership matters, your resilience and courage inspire us.” Rishi Kant, activist, Shakti Vahini, said, “Due to the continuing challenges posed by the pandemic, the numbers of out-of-school children has grown exponentially, thus increasing their online access with little or no supervision. At the same time, with commercial establishments being shut, recruitment for exploitation has shifted online, with traffickers functioning under complete anonymity. In this backdrop, it is critical for all responders to come together to understand these emerging challenges posed by cyber-enabled trafficking and find urgent solutions.” Founder and Global President, CyberPeace Foundation, Major Vineet Kumar said, “It is an emerging and urgent issue, and we should start discussing it.” The conclave participants committed to a South Asia Cyber Peace Cooperation Council alliance which will provide better data collection to help track cases and allocate resources and assist multiple agencies in working together.