Contemporary Criminal Law Analysis of Human Trafficking as a Crime Against Human Dignity

Abstract

Human trafficking is a complex transnational crime and constitutes a serious violation of human rights as it deprives individuals of their freedom, integrity, and human dignity. The increasingly sophisticated and organized nature of human trafficking requires the development of criminal law capable of adapting to contemporary forms of crime. Within the framework of a state governed by the rule of law, the protection of human dignity serves as a fundamental principle in the formulation and enforcement of criminal law. Therefore, examining contemporary criminal law in addressing human trafficking is essential to ensure effective legal protection for victims and the imposition of proportionate sanctions on perpetrators. This study aims to analyze the concept of contemporary criminal law in combating human trafficking as a crime against human dignity, evaluate the effectiveness of existing criminal law regulations, and formulate a criminal law policy model oriented toward human rights protection. The research employs a normative juridical method using statutory, conceptual, and comparative law approaches. Data were collected through library research involving legislation, international legal instruments, court decisions, and relevant academic literature. The data were analyzed qualitatively using descriptive-analytical and prescriptive methods. The findings indicate that Indonesian criminal law has regulated human trafficking through various legal instruments; However, significant challenges remain regarding implementation, law enforcement, victim protection, and harmonization with the development of modern criminal law. A contemporary criminal law approach requires the integration of punishment, victim protection, restorative justice, and respect for human dignity. This study concludes that the reconstruction of human rights-based criminal law policies is necessary to strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking and to ensure more effective protection for victims as legal subjects whose dignity and rights must be respected. Contemporary Criminal Law Analysis … (I Nyoman Ekantara) 775 LICS 2026 Topic: Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Combating Human Trafficking and Enhancing Protection of Women and Children