AISDC Speaks Out at UN Headquarters on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Safeguarding Oceans from Organized Crime

Delhi, India Jul 8, 2025 (EMWNews.com) – The All India Sustainable Development Council (AISDC) proudly announces its active participation in the Informal Interactive Multi-Stakeholder Hearing convened as part of the preparatory process for the upcoming High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the appraisal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The event was held on 30th June 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA.

Representing AISDC on the global stage, Dr. Navneet Kaur, Vice Chairperson, delivered a compelling address that echoed India’s steadfast commitment to combating human trafficking and tackling drug-related crimes at sea, underscoring the need for integrated legal and enforcement frameworks.

“We must fight trafficking in persons with the same resolve we bring to protecting our oceans from criminal networks. Whether on land or at sea, every life deserves freedom and dignity,” Declared Dr. Navneet Kaur during her address.

India’s Robust Legal Framework Against Trafficking

AISDC emphasized India’s strong legal and institutional response to trafficking, which includes:

• The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA): serves as the cornerstone of national legislation against commercial sexual exploitation.
• Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 370 & 370A: Criminalizing trafficking for exploitation, with severe penalties for perpetrators.
• Ongoing legislative progress on the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill is designed to unify and strengthen India’s anti-trafficking efforts.
• Close collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to boost victim protection, investigation capabilities, and cross-border cooperation.

AISDC’s work extends beyond legal frameworks to encompass community-level advocacy, capacity-building, and rehabilitation programs aimed at eradicating the root causes of human trafficking.

Linking Anti-Trafficking with Ocean Governance

In a groundbreaking linkage of anti-trafficking and maritime security, AISDC highlighted its flagship initiative, “Cleanup Ocean with Law,” which aims to address the emerging threats posed by organized crime at sea, including drug trafficking and human smuggling through maritime routes.

Key goals of the initiative include:

• Strengthening legal compliance across maritime industries.
• Mitigating vulnerabilities in shipping, ports, and coastal communities.
• Promoting sustainable blue economy practices while defending human rights at sea.

Learn more about this pioneering work at the UN Partnerships Platform:

 Cleanup Ocean with Law – UN SDGs Partnership

Call to Action

Vigil Kanethara, Chairman of AISDC, reiterated the Council’s commitment:

“Our mission is clear: to protect human dignity on land and at sea. We call upon governments, global partners, and civil society to join forces in building resilient systems to fight trafficking and secure our oceans.”

AISDC remains dedicated to forging partnerships worldwide to achieve justice, sustainability, and security for vulnerable populations.

For All India Sustainable Development Council

India | United Kingdom

www.globalsc.uk