Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Annexure 10
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
○
This recommendation is supported by Sec 13 of ITPA, which lays down proviso whereby the
Central government may appoint Central Trafficking Officers in various States to prevent inter-
State trafficking.
Phase III: Rehabilitation and Reintegration
Problem: There seems to be an invisibility of institutional population, when it comes to accessing
the government schemes available for the mainstream populations coming from poverty-stricken
or socio-economically weaker sections.
Recommendation: Socio-economic-educational and welfare schemes of the Government meant
for the mainstream population should be made available to the rescued persons both during the
institutional and reintegration phase, including efforts to access citizenship rights, for example,
voting rights, application of schemes for welfare of women and children, SC/ST/OBC, opening
of bank account, etc.
Problem: Lack of protection for the victim in order to avoid harassment from the traffickers and
brothel keepers, while she is in the institution and/or in the process of being re-integrated in the
community, especially when she appears as a witness. Also, there is over dependence on the
statement of the victim to secure conviction of the offender in court, leading to increased
vulnerability of an already vulnerable person.
Recommendation: Suitable legislation for victim protection and support should be introduced
in the law. Efforts should be made by the police to obtain evidence other than the victim’s
statement.
Problem: In most of the institutions, vocational training given to the inmates are elementary in
nature that may not be of much use in the rapidly changing economic scenario outside.
Recommendation: In order to be successfully reintegrated, every woman rescued from
prostitution requires an alternative source of income, which again is dependant on effective
skills and training. Hence, the effectiveness of traditional skills that is being taught to the women
in the government institutions needs to be re-examined, keeping in mind the changing economic
scenario. The government Shelter Homes should also be open to facilitate the mobility of the
women and girls in order to obtain vocational training outside.
Recommendations related to the Anti-trafficking Measures:
Problem: There seems to be indifferent attitude on the part of law enforcing agencies in viewing
trafficking as a social menace, rather than viewing it as a hard-core crime and law and order
problem. As a result, trafficking gets less priority in the list of law enforcing agencies.
National Human Rights Commission Annual Report - 2004-2005
263
AR-Chapter-1-19-10-6-06.p65
283
7/17/06, 6:31 PM