India’s Home Affairs Minister, P Chidambaram, marked World Human Rights Day last Friday by launching a new anti-trafficking initiative.

The result of a partnership between India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and one of the country’s top universities, the 'Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate Course' is the first of its kind in India. The purpose of the Course is to accelerate the process of understanding, awareness and training of those involved in caring for victims and bringing traffickers to justice.  Chidambaram took the opportunity to suggest the course be made mandatory for all police officers.

With India being the source, transit and destination country for almost half of all those sold into slavery in the world today, human trafficking is one of India’s biggest problems. Aware of this problem, the Indian Government is making huge progress towards bringing this industry to an end. However, commenting on what has been done so far, the Home Minister said, "I am not persuaded that the crime has been controlled or it has been contained. It simply shows that in recent years perhaps the attention of the police forces have been turned to other crimes and, therefore, the detection, registration and prosecution of trafficking related crimes has perhaps declined".

An integrated approach

The Ministry of Home Affairs is currently 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 the Training of Trainers (ANI).

AHTUs are task forces based within local law enforcement agencies responsible for investigating human trafficking cases. To date, India has 47 AHTUs with a government investment promise of £12 million to expand this resource. Chidambaram stated that the Indian Government is planning to establish a further 330 AHTUs over the next three years.

The key to successful AHTUs is specially trained police officers: the newly launched certificate course aims to equip the AHTUs with such personnel.

Call for sensitivity to trafficked victims

Chidambaram also commented about the status of trafficking victims in India. Recognising the flaws in India’s penal system, he said, “in any crime of trafficking, there is a criminal and there is a victim but our system tends to treat both more or less on par." This is a significant admission by a member of the Indian Government as it shows a real awareness of current failings and a desire to address these.

Dr Joseph D’souza, International President of Dalit Freedom Network, said, "I welcome Chidambaram's comments last Friday. We know that the Indian Government is making progress on its anti-trafficking programme but it is always encouraging to hear members of the Government speak with such awareness about the challenges within India's penal system and with the treatment of victims. DFN UK works alongside the authorities in India to encourage the progress being made and continues to urge members of the British Government to support the Indian Government in its progress."

DFN UK has been pressing for more effective enforcement of anti-trafficking laws in India, and had expressed concern that 93% of police had received no training on dealing with human trafficking. However this move to address this by a substantial expansion of training is very welcome. DFN UK has also been pressing for higher standards of care and protection for victims of trafficking, and Chidambaram's call for sensitising police and judiciary to the needs of victims is also very welcome.