ABSTRACT
Poverty has a direct link with some social evils, especially human trafficking. It has been reported in the Human Security Report that the victims of trafficking mostly belong to countries suffering from weak or corrupt governments, economic downfall, social upheaval, organised crime and violent/civil conflicts. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region and its people have been exposed to heinous crimes, particularly trafficking in women and children for prostitution. In the statement, ministers emphasised the need for greater cooperation and the linkages between various crimes, such as terrorism, illegal trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substances, illegal trafficking of persons and arms, and threats to maritime security. Cooperation in the security areas has to reach up to the level of practical measures, beyond merely sharing of information. SAARC is expanding the scope of deliberations on transnational crimes by suggesting more issues at the dialogue tables.
