Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Research Studies and Projects
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Institute of Social Sciences, a research institute in New Delhi. The cost of the entire research
was borne by UNIFEM.
12.3 The main objective of the Action Research was to study the factors, trends and dimensions
of trafficking including vulnerability mapping of geographical areas prone to trafficking in terms
of demand, supply and transit points/zones; assess the types of existing responses to issues arising
from trafficking in women and children including the role of Government, law enforcement
agencies, NGOs and others in preventing, detecting and combating trafficking; review the existing
laws and recommend changes for strengthening of old laws or enactment of new law(s); and
bring out a comprehensive Plan of Action for prevention of trafficking, protection of trafficked
women and children including their rehabilitation and repartriation and better law enforcement.
12.4 Being an Action Research, an attempt was simultaneously made along with the research
to generate awareness through training programmes, seminars, workshops, etc. on matters relating
to trafficking among all the stakeholders so as to sensitize them about the problem of trafficking;
facilitate various activities in the States/Union Territories with respect to prevention of trafficking,
investigation into and prosecution of traffickers, protection of trafficked victims, including their
rescue, rehabilitation and repatriation/reintegration; and building up a functional network of
governmental and non-governmental agencies for preventing and combating trafficking in women
and children.
12.5 The Action Research was guided, facilitated and supervised by a National Study Team
consisting of Shri Sankar Sen, Senior Fellow, ISS; Prof. B.S. Baviskar, Senior Fellow, ISS;
Dr. B.S. Nagi, Consultant, ISS; Shri P.M. Nair, Nodal Officer, NHRC and Dr. Savita Bhakhry,
Senior Research Officer, NHRC.
12.6 The Action Research was completed in July 2004 and its report was released to the public
on 24 August 2004. The recommendations and suggestions that have emerged from the Action
Research are at Annexure 12. Copies of the report were later forwarded to all concerned in the
Central Government, States/Union Territories for effective implementation of the
recommendations for preventing and combating trafficking. They were also requested to send
an Action Taken Report on the steps taken by them. So far Action Taken Reports have been
received only from the Department of Police of Government of Arunachal Pradesh and
Government of Goa.
12.7 The issue of trafficking was also raised during the meeting of the Commission with the
Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police that was held on 14-12-2004 at New Delhi.
Since the Memorandum of Action Taken on the Annual Report of the National Human Rights
Commission for the year 2002-2003 on the said subject states that ‘the observations of the
Commission have been noted’, the Commission trusts that action would be taken on the
recommendations of the Action Research by all State Governments and Union Territory
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