International conference on Anti Human Trafficking ( theory to Practice)

1. International conference on Anti Human Trafficking ( theory to Practice) 25th and 26th of November,2017

2. Conference theme • Providing a common platform to the Law enforcement agencies, social workers, CSO’s and other instruments of state to study the problems of human trafficking – a serious global issue and arrive at solution • Common platform to bring together all stakeholder to facilitate the exchange of ideas, sharing of experiences and setting the agenda for further action

3. Participants Profile • 389participants have attended the two day workshop • Representatives from 14 countries and 15 states • Members from 101 NGO’s, 27 educational institutes & Government

4. Over view of Sessions • Commercial sex trade and human trafficking: Trends, Issues and Challenges • Cross Border Trafficking ( National & International Dimensions) • Climate Change Disasters and Forced Movements ( Linkages to Trafficking) • Cyber Crime and Human Trafficking • Survivor for Justice Rehabilitation and Reintegration ( Theory and Practice) • Unsafe Migration, Armed conflict, Displacement and Human Trafficking • Combating Human Trafficking- Legal Response and Challenges • Role of NGO’s and CSO’s in Combating Human Trafficking • Sharing of Best Practices Models on Anti Trafficking Initiatives

5. Commercial sex trade and Human Trafficking: trends, issues and challenges Issues and challenges: The process of the sex trade is changing rapidly from the offline platform to the online which is making it tough to trace the traffickers. There is no pressure from the community since they are invisible the Law enforcement agencies on the other hand are not knowledgeable about IT Our laws are deficient and redundant since there is no longer a physical place or a person who can be identified and traced Slow initiation of legal processes and incidents not getting reported Non registration of cases, parents not registering the cases until many years later when the money stops coming; they also do not realize their child has been trafficked until its too late ; FIR /chargesheets are not filed Problems of rehabilitating victims due to rejection by family and society and loss of dignity. Child marriage used as disguised trafficking – sometimes those who are combating have no proof and are helpless

6. Contd… • Recommendations: • Research and studies • rehabilitation must occur in the true sense so that the survivors are ensured a life of dignity in society and have livelihood alternatives • Safe and informed migration

7. Concurrent Session 1.2: Cross Border Trafficking ( National-International dimensions) • Various Bilateral Treaties exist like the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution, 2002 and the UN convention for repatriation of victims but these guidelines have not been implemented by SAARC nations. • There is no joint repatriation efforts undertaken by law enforcement agencies across India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Hence working in fractions lends a huge impunity for traffickers. • NGO’s play a vital role in rescue and cross border repatriation. They should be given adequate funding to scale up activities and institutionally recognized by governments and legislators with their countries to help combat trafficking. • More effective border management and greater commitment on part of Law enforcement agencies and BSF specially during investigating and prosecuting traffickers

8. Contd.. • Measures to be adopted • Rehabilitation and Repatriation of women: Viewing this from a victims point of view and fighting for their human rights is essential. • Providing alternative livelihood options for trafficked victims/ reintegration packages • Viewing trafficking from a boarder perspective and addressing issues of domestic violence, child marriage • Inter agency collaboration BSF, police and NGO’s on clamping down on traffickers and touts. • Introducing systematic training programmes on the issue of human trafficking by Government for BSF jawans since NGOs has limited resources.

9. Concurrent Session 1.3: Climate change, Disasters and Forced Movements (Linkages to Trafficking) • Human Trafficking is multi-dimensional and identification of the “hot-spots” are necessary. • Vulnerability increases in the post-disaster period leading to trafficking. • Trafficking is the result of lack of education hence, sensitization is needed. • It is necessary to identify disaster hazard zones. • Above 80% of world’s hungry live in disaster prone countries. Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to “build back better”.

10. 2.1 Cyber Crime and Human Trafficking – Present trends • Issues and challenges • Crime has remained – the modus operandi and tools have changed • Cyber space provides a completely anonymous platform for abusers and traffickers to operate – they are unidentifiable, untraceable and invisible (end to end encrypted platforms) • Directions for legal response – looking at ways of detecting, prosecuting and booking the criminals Recommendations: • Focus on Prevention: Alertness, Awareness, caution regarding use of social media • Educate children about netiquette and cyber hygiene – safe and informed use of social media • Proactive policing of cyber space by citizens; moving towards social understanding of the net to use it as a powerful enabler • Collaboration of agencies and aggregation of data on an online platform to share experiences, stories and data organized by a neutral agency • Beginning with drafting of an action plan for conducting sessions on further research and aggregation of data on cyber crimes with NGOs, Academics, LEA

11. Concurrent session 2.2: Survivor for Justice Rehabilitation and Reintegration ( Theory and Practice) • Rehabilitation and Repatriation is key to rehabilitating victims, however processes followed by stakeholders viz. law enforcement agencies, government shelter homes, NGO’s are both cumbersome and treats victims with indignity. Sensitization of stakeholders through regular training programmes to be undertaken. • Simplifying judicial procedures and ensuring a victim centric approach to rehabilitation and reintegration. • Ensuring safe return of survivors and continued safety by building acceptance amongst victims families and communities. • Establishing a multi disciplinary approach viz police, judiciary bodies like CWC, shelter homes for effective rehabilitation of rescued victims.

12. Contd… • Prevention of Trafficking through the setting up of safe social spaces for interaction of adolescents in their communities. • Good practice of Rehabilitation and Reintegration programmes in Spain include witness system which avoids contact between victim and offender during judicial proceedings and helps her to be safe, victim compensation, access to protected shelters, existence of specialized prosecutors.

13. 2.3 Unsafe Migration, Armed Conflict, Displacement And Human Trafficking • Unsafe migration leads to trafficking. Victim of violence, sexual exploitations, makes people vulnerable. Prevention and prosecution should be adopted. • Trafficking for domestic work is the second highest after sex trade. Women and children are most vulnerable and are the ‘targets’ mainly due to high gender discrimination. The huge network of traffickers make it an “organized crime”.

14. Issues and challenges: Need to align Indian laws and legal system with International protocols, domestic legislations, Model of criminal investigation insufficient to deal with cyber crime Recommendations Widen the scope of the law to include all forms of trafficking Effective enforcement of existing laws - dealing with pending cases; witness protection and protocol; expediting the process of justice Use technology for efficient evidence building including forensic evidence - use e-learning, SOPs and capacity building for all stakeholders mainly LEA Victim –centred approach in rehabilitation, and restoration in the community exploring livelihood issues; focusing on the need for effective arrangements to protect the survivors from indignity and further abuse Convergence in further exploration of defining the crime, identifying criminals and victims Not creating paternalism mechanisms for the child that will curtail human rights, rather ensuring protection mechanisms to enable and empower children and women 3.1 Combating Human Trafficking – Legal Responses and Challenges

15. Concurrent session 3.2: Role of NGO’s/CBO’s in combating Human Trafficking • While preventing trafficking and scaling up work on rehabilitation NGO’s need to undertake extensive research to assess the needs and requirements of trafficked victims and then formulate their plan of action. • Since Trafficking involves unsafe migrations across international borders there is a need for cross statutory systems across countries to work together. • Awareness building to help women and young people make safe and discerned choices specially while utilizing internet and social networking sites. • Engaging with corporates to ensure they recognize the issue of modern day slavery and adopt policies to free their supply chain of child labour. • Strategic litigations to aim at more compensation and justice for survivors which in turn would increase conviction rates

16. Sharing Of Best Practices Models On Anti-Human Trafficking Initiatives • ‘Gender’ and ‘age appropriate interventions’ needs to be receive more attention. • Lot of experiments being done in different parts of the world but sharing of knowledge remains a problem • Model in which Myanmar work to combat human trafficking are- media workshops, IEC materials / programs , information campaign, feedback lessons - essentially engage more widely with more stakeholders.

17. Work towards greater cross-border cooperation Create platforms for periodic exchange of knowledge engage with multinational, private, non-state actors Initiate further work on the virtual world - to understand the challenges and counter them WAY FORWARD