India has recently approved their Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection, and Rehabilitation) Bill in an effort to combat the widespread human trafficking problem throughout the country. The bill is quite broad and attempts to tackle every step of the trafficking process, as well as every facet of the problem throughout the country in one fell swoop. From forced begging to prostitution to migrant trafficking — these issues greatly contrast from one another, and organizations have begun to articulate worries that these strokes may be too broad and that they may even develop new problems for India.
The U.N. has expressed major concern over the nature of the bill. Special Rapporteur on trafficking persons, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, and Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Urmila Boola, said that, “Trafficking in persons is primarily a gross human rights violation. However, the Bill over-emphasises the criminal response and does not give due consideration to the rights and needs of victims and their effective protection and proper rehabilitation.” They were also concerned that all regular illegal immigrants, victims of human trafficking, and traffickers themselves might be conflated together under the new bill.
“We urge the Indian Parliament to revise the Bill in accordance with human rights law, including the OHCHR Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking, in consultation with civil society organisations, UN agencies and other relevant partners,” they said.
“Other problematic aspects include an ‘over-broad and vague nature’ of some of the Bill’s provisions, which could lead to blanket criminalisation of activities that do not necessarily relate to trafficking,” according to the UN.
Police detain an activist of Socialist Unity Center of India-Marxist (SUCI-M) during a protest demonstration against a recent case of child trafficking in West Bengal state in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has busted a child trafficking racket and rescued more than 20 children, according to news reports. Several persons have been arrested in this connection. The poster reads “how does child trafficking continue under the surveillance of state government, the government must answer.” | AP Photo/Bikas Das
Like most countries, India’s human trafficking problem comes in all forms — sex trafficking of adults and children, labor trafficking of both locals and illegal immigrants, not to mention forced begging, debt bondage, and others.
A huge problem in India, as well as other countries where reports and studies are not so easy to conduct with these subjects, is the lack of available, accurate data. India’s National Crime Records Bureau said that there were 8,132 reported cases of trafficking in 2016, a steep rise from the 6,877 from 2015. However, it’s almost impossible to tell whether reporting methods are slowly getting better or if it’s actually on the rise — or both. 44% of all of these cases came out of West Bengal, right on the border of Bangladesh.
Information is crucial when effectively combating anything, not to mention an incredibly complex, multi-faceted problem like human trafficking. The U.S. has a relatively effective method of recording and documenting this information, and yet trafficking abounds nevertheless. Still, information is power, and in-depth reports like the State Department’s “Trafficking in Persons Report 2018,” not only give law enforcement the tools to more effectively do their jobs, but they also are indicative of the country’s willingness to put time, effort and a significant amount of resources into fighting traffickers.
Featured image: Indian children of a charitable trust Apne Aap Women Worldwide look at French Women’s Rights Minister Najat Vallaud Belkacem, not seen, during her visit to the center in New Delhi, India, Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. Apne Aap works mainly with women and girl survivors of intergenerational prostitution to impart skill development and alternative livelihood training, according to a press release. “Apne Aap” translates “On One’s Own.” | AP Photo/Manish Swarup
India has recently approved their Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection, and Rehabilitation) Bill in an effort to combat the widespread human trafficking problem throughout the country. The bill is quite broad and attempts to tackle every step of the trafficking process, as well as every facet of the problem throughout the country in one fell swoop. From forced begging to prostitution to migrant trafficking — these issues greatly contrast from one another, and organizations have begun to articulate worries that these strokes may be too broad and that they may even develop new problems for India.
The U.N. has expressed major concern over the nature of the bill. Special Rapporteur on trafficking persons, Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, and Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Urmila Boola, said that, “Trafficking in persons is primarily a gross human rights violation. However, the Bill over-emphasises the criminal response and does not give due consideration to the rights and needs of victims and their effective protection and proper rehabilitation.” They were also concerned that all regular illegal immigrants, victims of human trafficking, and traffickers themselves might be conflated together under the new bill.
“We urge the Indian Parliament to revise the Bill in accordance with human rights law, including the OHCHR Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking, in consultation with civil society organisations, UN agencies and other relevant partners,” they said.
“Other problematic aspects include an ‘over-broad and vague nature’ of some of the Bill’s provisions, which could lead to blanket criminalisation of activities that do not necessarily relate to trafficking,” according to the UN.
Police detain an activist of Socialist Unity Center of India-Marxist (SUCI-M) during a protest demonstration against a recent case of child trafficking in West Bengal state in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has busted a child trafficking racket and rescued more than 20 children, according to news reports. Several persons have been arrested in this connection. The poster reads “how does child trafficking continue under the surveillance of state government, the government must answer.” | AP Photo/Bikas Das
Like most countries, India’s human trafficking problem comes in all forms — sex trafficking of adults and children, labor trafficking of both locals and illegal immigrants, not to mention forced begging, debt bondage, and others.
A huge problem in India, as well as other countries where reports and studies are not so easy to conduct with these subjects, is the lack of available, accurate data. India’s National Crime Records Bureau said that there were 8,132 reported cases of trafficking in 2016, a steep rise from the 6,877 from 2015. However, it’s almost impossible to tell whether reporting methods are slowly getting better or if it’s actually on the rise — or both. 44% of all of these cases came out of West Bengal, right on the border of Bangladesh.
Information is crucial when effectively combating anything, not to mention an incredibly complex, multi-faceted problem like human trafficking. The U.S. has a relatively effective method of recording and documenting this information, and yet trafficking abounds nevertheless. Still, information is power, and in-depth reports like the State Department’s “Trafficking in Persons Report 2018,” not only give law enforcement the tools to more effectively do their jobs, but they also are indicative of the country’s willingness to put time, effort and a significant amount of resources into fighting traffickers.
Featured image: Indian children of a charitable trust Apne Aap Women Worldwide look at French Women’s Rights Minister Najat Vallaud Belkacem, not seen, during her visit to the center in New Delhi, India, Friday, Oct. 25, 2013. Apne Aap works mainly with women and girl survivors of intergenerational prostitution to impart skill development and alternative livelihood training, according to a press release. “Apne Aap” translates “On One’s Own.” | AP Photo/Manish Swarup
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are on this article.
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.