Kailash Satyarthi praises government’s policy on child trafficking

Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Friday urged the Central government to ensure that summary trials in cases of child trafficking were completed within 30 days. He also urged the government to rehabilitate victims and book the culprits within a fixed time frame.

Mr Satyarthi also welcomed the recent move by the government towards stronger policy framework on child trafficking, child protection and bonded labour and cautioned the government that the success of the initiatives being taken now would hinge on implementation and accountability mechanisms.

He was speaking at a national consultation on eradication of bonded labour organised by Bachpan Bachao Andolan in New Delhi, where sessions were held on issues such as trafficking for bonded labour and child labour; trafficking for sexual exploitation and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking and effective coordination among agencies.

“Growth will remain meaningless unless it is inclusive and promotes the development of disadvantageous sections of the society. The Govt. of India is committed to eradicate all forms of exploitation through strong deterrent and rehabilitation mechanisms for victims,” Union labour and employment secretary Shankar Aggarwal said.

“We heartily welcome the new rules for revamped scheme by the Government of India for rehabilitation of bonded labourers that has raised the rehabilitation assistance from Rs 20,000 to Rs 3 lakh,” Mr Satyarthi said.

However, there is a need for further changes in the old rules and to speed up summary trial in such cases of children freed from bonded labour and trafficking and payment of assistance within 30 days, he said.

The new anti-trafficking law that the Central government is readying must also include the provisions for the earliest possible completion of summary trial and payment of compensation to the victims, Mr Satyarthi said.