Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others

The United Nations General Assembly approved the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others on December 2, 1949.The Convention entered into force on July 25, 1951. It has 25 signatories – including India – and 82 countries have ratified or acceded to it. (Signatories are qualified to ratify, accept or approve a treaty. Ratification is an 'international act' whereby a State indicates its consent to be bound to a treaty.)Its Preamble states that “…prostitution and the accompanying evil of the traffic in persons for the purpose of prostitution are incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person and endanger the welfare of the individual, the family and the community.”The 2,667-word Convention is divided into 28 articles. Articles 1-3 cover identifying and curbing practices relating to trafficking for the purpose of ‘prostitution’. Articles 4-12 discuss the jurisdiction of Parties to the Convention under international and domestic laws. Articles 13-15 cover protocols to be followed during direct or indirect communication between countries, and discuss the establishment of a service to coordinate the investigation of offences under the Convention. Articles 16-20 lay down the duties of the Parties to rehabilitate “victims of prostitution” – including procedures for repatriating victims of trafficking to their countries of origin...