IGNOU empowers nodal officers for anti human trafficking
source:- the hindu.com
The Indira Gandhi National Open University's (IGNOU's) School of Law (SOL) in partnership with Ministry of Home Affairs/Bureau of Police Research &Development and Centre for Social Research organized a national level workshop of nodal officers of all state governments and union territories with a view to empower these officials through training and capacity building about anti-human trafficking.
The three day workshop concluded to accelerate the process of sensitization, awareness and training to large number of law enforcement officials and other stakeholders like prosecutors, other government departments, NGOs etc. The workshop deliberated on laws related to human trafficking, investigation techniques and dimensions, magnitude and vulnerabilities relating to human trafficking alongwith issues relating to rescue, care and rehabilitation. It concluded by wrapping up the roles and responsibilities of nodal officers.
The Ministry of Home affairs is implementing a scheme titled 'Strengthening the law enforcement response in India against Trafficking in Persons through Training and Capacity Building.' The scheme has two components: establishing integrated Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) and Training of Trainers (TOTs). Under this scheme, it is proposed to establish 335 AHTUs throughout the country and impart training to 10,000 police officers through TOTs component.
It has released funds as first installment for the year 2010-11 amounting to Rs. 8.72 crores to all the state governments for establishment of 115 Anti Human Trafficking Units.
The purpose of TOTs, which entails/ enables ‘cascade training', is to pass knowledge and skills to colleagues who work at different ‘levels' to ensure that there is ground level sensitization and awareness. Six regional level workshops for all the States/UTs of the country have already been held by MHA/BPR&D.
"State Anti Human Trafficking nodal officers are a very important linkage in effective functioning of AHTUs and in interstate rescue operations and investigations. It was keeping this in mind that IGNOU in partnership with the Ministry launched the Certificate/ Diploma/ PG Diploma Programme in Human Trafficking. MHA has advised all the State Governments and UT Administrations to launch this certificate course at State/UT level in partnership with IGNOU," said Prof. K. Elumalai, Director, SOL, IGNOU.
"Trafficking in persons for various purposes such as commercial s*xual exploitation, forced labor, domestic servitude, begging, and public sport etc. is an organized crime that gravely violates basic human rights. Reports of such a criminal activity taking place are a matter of concern to the government, particularly in reference to law enforcement response as the crime has not received due priority at the cutting edge level of police station. This is attributed to lack of awareness, sensitization and knowledge of laws, investigation skills and also about lack of appreciation on some of the unique features of this type of crime," he adds. Article by Sheffali Malik (Media Consultant, IGNOU)
