Human Trafficking – “The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill 2018” passed by Lok Sabha
On July 18, 2018, the Minister of Women and Child Development Ms Maneka Gandhi introduced the “Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018” in Lok Sabha. The Bill provides for the prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation of trafficked persons.
“I think it was a historic day for India when the bill was passed in Lok Sabha. The bill deals with not only prevention and rescue of trafficked persons but also their rehabilitation. Earlier, the victims would be just rescued, and so the rehabilitation aspect makes the bill very important,” Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi said.
The Bill provides:
- Confidentiality of victims, witnesses and complainants and time-bound trials and repatriation of the victims.
- Establishment of a National Anti-Trafficking Bureau to investigate cases.
- Every state government will appoint a State Nodal Officer responsible for follow-up action, as per the instructions of the State Anti-Trafficking Committee.
- Setting up of Anti-Trafficking Units at the district level and the establishment of Anti-Trafficking Relief and Rehabilitation Committees at the national, state and district levels.
- Punishment ranging from 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to life term and a fine of not less than Rs 1 lakh.
