Amitav Ghosh : Trafficking has now emerged as a significant problem all over the world and is the third largest international criminal enterprise, generating an estimated $150 billion dollars annually (ILO, 2014). Trafficking is a transnational organised crime starting from identification of the victims, their transportation and their exploitation, which operates seamlessly across national and international borders.
The Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021, being introduced by the union government addresses these aspects very effectively and comprehensively. Once passed by the Parliament, it will become a landmark in dealing with this complex crime of trafficking.
Recognition of the threat posed by trafficking of persons, especially children, to the society has long been raised by Nobel Peace Laureate Shri Kailash Satyarthi .Taking his vision forward, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) founded by him, has been carrying out numerous rescue operations and awareness campaigns against trafficking and forced labour. Mr Satyarthi has dedicated his entire life to the development and welfare of children. While on one hand, he supported governments to pass various laws aimed at promoting safety and security of children, on the other hand, his team has been carrying out ‘raid and rescue operations’ across the country. Infact, Mr Satyarthi and his team have rescued over 1,00,000 children from shackles of bonded labour and trafficking till date.
As per National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, there has been an increase in trafficking cases by 2.8 per cent in 2019 as compared to 2018.
Further, there has been a sharp increase in the number of missing children most of whom are victims of trafficking. These children are pushed into child labour, bonded labour, prostitution, begging, digital pornography and other forms of sexual exploitation. Post pandemic, human trafficking has increased exponentially.
The Centre is now tipped to bring in a robust Anti-trafficking Bill in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Looking at the gravity of the situation at hand, civil society organisations, activists, survivor groups and Members of Parliament (MPs) across party lines have supported the need for a strong law to combat trafficking. The proposed Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill 2021, not only has provisions for stringent punishment if found guilty but aims at providing financial and social security to victims.
Kailash Satyarthi’s fight against child labour dates back to 1981. The story has its roots in Sirhind in Punjab where he had successfully rescued Sabo, and 34 others from a brick kiln. n 2007, he spearheaded an awareness campaign against trafficking and child labour spanning 5000 kilometres. The awareness drive that had begun from Kolkata culminated in Delhi. Mr Satyarthi had also led an awareness walk across North Eastern states in 2012. The then Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir inaugurated the walk.
On BBA’s recommendation, the term trafficking was included in the Justice Verma Committee Report of 2013 which was included in Section 370 and 370A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
In order to spread awareness among people against child trafficking and child abuse, Mr Satyarthi was also instrumental in taking out a 35-day long Bharat Yatra from Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 12, 2017, which culminated in New Delhi on October 16, 2017, covering over 12,000 km.
Kailash Satyarthi and few others had predicted an increase in the trafficking cases ahead of lockdown due to COVID-19 and urged people to be observant as traffickers are found mostly among known circle of people. Once the Bill is passed, not only would trafficking curb but also victims would get proper compensation and rehabilitation.
We hope that Government passes this Bill as early as possible as it would ensure safe and secured childhood.
Amitav Ghosh, Trade Union Leader and Filmaker