Child trafficking cases should end in 30 days: Satyarthi

Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi on Friday urged the government to ensure that summary trials in cases of child trafficking and bonded labour should be concluded within 30 days.

Speaking during 'National Consultation on Eradication of Bonded Labour and Trafficking' here, Satyarthi said: "While the government has taken great strides in building policy framework against trafficking, huge gaps continue to exist with respect to prevention, protection and rehabilitation of victims as well as conviction of offenders."

He added: "The offenders should be convicted within 30 days. The victim must also be rehabilitated and monetary compensation should reach him or her within 30 days."

Referring to the new law on trafficking which is in the pipeline, Satyarthi said there should be a strong and accountable mechanism for robust implementation of these rules.

"The benefits of new legislation will only reach the most neglected child when processes and procedures of implementation are strengthened and accountability is ensured," he said.

He urged the government to ensure strict vigilance of placement agencies which are involved in trafficking.

"A new form of trafficking is emerging in the form of placement agencies. They traffic people from across the country. There should be strict vigilance and provisions for such agencies in the new law," said the child rights activist.

Satyarthi also congratulated the central government for the new Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour Scheme wherein compensation for victims of bonded labour has been raised from Rs.20,000 to Rs.3 lakh. The survivors of trafficking also should be considered under this scheme, he felt.

Satyarthi has worked for child rights for over 30 years through the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, a voluntary organisation which is credited with freeing over 80,000 children from bonded labour across India.

--IANS

av/pgh/vt