Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Annexure 12
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Commission, State Human Rights Commission and other such professional bodies should have
definite focus on the issues related to trafficking. The NHRC could issue directions to the MHA
and other agencies in this respect.
Integrating Anti-trafficking Issues in the Training Curricula
Considering the multisectoral aspect of the issues, processes and responses to trafficking, the
training schedules of administrative officials, police officers, prosecutors, judicial officers, welfare
officers, correctional officers, etc. should include a module on anti-trafficking activities. It could
also focus on drawing the required attention in addressing these issues and all related aspects of
human rights arising therefrom. This calls for developing training modules and schedules which
would be appropriate for the requirements of the concerned agency.
Bilateral Trans-border Cooperation
Traffickers and exploiters have no boundaries but the law enforcement officials and others are
bound by limitations of jurisdiction. This has become a serious impediment to anti-trafficking
programmes and activities. The SAARC Convention envisages setting up a task force for dealing
with trans-border trafficking. Since the convention has not been ratified by all State Parties (as of
January 2004), the implementation has not commenced. Trans-border cooperation requirements
cannot be geographically confined to the bordering districts. However, the ad hoc task forces or
cross-border committees set up at the initiative of the local administration or the law enforcement
agencies manning the borders, are operational in many places along the borders. To start with
such informal networks, which include government officials and NGOs of both sides, could be
institutionalised so that they could effectively carry out anti-trafficking activities.
Regional Initiatives
Since the research has brought out the problems of trans-border trafficking, proper law enforcement
as well as care and protection of women and children need concerted action. However, the
problems are common to most of the countries in the region, and so, it would be better to have
regional initiatives in this direction for better results. A regional database of traffickers and exploiters
is called for. Similarly, sharing of good practice models and important judgements of the courts
in the region could be considered. Regional victim-witness protection protocols could be developed
and circulated to all concerned for guidance. A regional Childline could be set up to link all
Childlines in the countries concerned so that trans-border issues of missing and trafficked children
could be effectively attended to. These regional initiatives would be meaningful if they are taken
up by the MEA, supported by UN bodies like UNIFEM and UNICEF.
Human Trafficking Web Portal
Advancements in ICTs should be utilized for developing an appropriate portal. This requires
involvement of the concerned ministries/departments in the Government of India and could be
facilitated by UN agencies. The task could be promoted by the NHRC so that the human rights
aspects are given proper attention. It could be set up under one of the existing government
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