In the Quest of Unifying Existing Anti-Trafficking Laws, Here Comes 'Comprehensive' Draft Bill

BENGALURU: In today’s world, we constantly see that victims of human trafficking are treated as criminals just like the ones who trafficked them.  However, to change that notion, Women and Child Development Minister, Maneka Gandhi recently unveiled a draft bill that seeks to integrate all existing anti-trafficking laws, prioritize survivors' needs, as well as enable rescued victims from brothels to be treated as ones that are in need of assistance rather than as criminals. 

The draft bill, ‘Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2016’ allows special courts to speed up the proceedings of trafficking cases, accommodation and shelter, apart from providing financial support for rehabilitation of the victims. The draft has also put forth the option of having anti-trafficking committees at the district, state and central levels to look after the prevention, protection and rehabilitation of trafficked victims.

Maneka Gandhi during the unveiling of the draft said that the bill would ensure the setting up of a special investigative agency. It will help in ensuring co-ordination between states as well as help collect intelligence on trafficking offences. This would also help in strengthening prosecution and improve the conviction rate in trafficking related cases.

Apart from the above, the draft also has the provision for recovery of fines from the convicted, reimbursement of funds for who were not paid while in servitude, and declaration of the use of drugs and chemical substances for trafficking as offences. The Minister welcomed inputs from the public in order to improve the proposed bill, for which the ministry would accept suggestions till June 30, 2016. Thereafter, the draft would be sent to the other ministries for feedback. If all things go according to plan, the final bill could be presented in the Parliament by the end of the year. 

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