Kailash Satyarthi seeks MoU, counts on Nepal to 'lead' fight against child trafficking

By Our Representative
The Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) has demanded a “strong memorandum of understanding (MoU)” between India and Nepal in order to combat child trafficking across the borders. The matter came up at a virtual Indo-Nepal dialogue hosted by the top child rights organisation floated by Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, in which two Nepal-based NGOs, Swatantra Abhiyan and Backward Society Education (BASE), participated.
Satyarthi told the meet, “Children in India and Nepal are suffering from the effects of the pandemic. With rising poverty and unemployment, along with school closures, they are at a higher risk of trafficking, both within borders and across the border.”
He insisted, “Both countries must recognise and prevent this. Next year is the UN Year for the Elimination of Child Labour. It is an opportunity to work together and take urgent and collective action. I urge the government officers, law enforcement and civil society of India and Nepal to join the campaign to end child labour. As I always have, I count on Nepal to lead this fight for children.”
Among those who participated in the dialogue included several stakeholders, including law enforcement officials, civil society organizations, child survivors and research institutions from both the countries. Participants agreed to collectively work towards ironing out the roadblocks in the repatriation and rehabilitation of victims of cross-border trafficking.
Pointing out the MoU may be designed in a manner similar to the one signed between India and Myanmar for the prevention of trafficking in persons, speakers focused on adverse effects of the pandemic on efforts to eliminate cross border trafficking, underlining the need for a portal on traffickers which can be used by law enforcement agencies of both countries.
Participants included Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, Nepal MP, Lumbini Province, who happens to president of BASE; Indian parliamentarians Krishan Devaryulu Lavu and Ravi Prakash Verma (convenor, Parliamentary forum on Children); and Dr Milan Dharel, executive director, National Child Rights Council, Nepal.
Deliberations focused on grooming and modus operandi of trafficking, rehabilitation and repatriation of victims of trafficking, challenges faced by victims of trafficking, including the inapplicability of Indian laws in Nepal, challenges in prosecution by Indian courts, difficulty in transferring the rehabilitation package to the victims, and inability of government officials to send the victims to shelter homes in Nepal.
Child survivors Arbind and Srijana who were rescued from child labour by BBA and BASE respectively spoke on the occasion and shared their personal accounts.
Arbind Kumar a survivor of child labour, who currently works as an activist with BBA, said, "If we are unable to secure a child's present, then how do we expect children to be the future of this country? There is an urgent need to take stringent action against trafficking. We want Surakshit Bachpan, Surakshit Bharat and Surakshit Nepal."

Comments

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar* Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman* On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan* (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

This book delves deep into Maoism's historical, social, and political dimensions in India

By Harsh Thakor* "Storming the Gates of Heaven" by Amit Bhattacharya is a comprehensive study of the Indian Maoist movement. Bhattacharya examines the movement's evolution, drawing from numerous sources and showcasing his unwavering support for Charu Mazumdar's path and practice. The book, published in 2016, delves deeply into the movement's historical, social, and political dimensions.

Ideological assault on dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti will disturb pluralistic legacy: Modi told

Counterview Desk Letter to the Prime Minister about "a matter of the utmost concern affecting our country's social fabric": *** We are a group of independent citizens who over the past few years have made efforts to improve the deteriorating communal relations in the country. It is abundantly clear that over the last decade relations between communities, particularly Hindus and Muslims, and to an extent Christians are extremely strained leaving these latter two communities in extreme anxiety and insecurity.

Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By Our Representative A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups. For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention.

Search This Blog