After the first full calendar year since the official launch of their campaign to end the human trafficking and slavery of India’s Dalits, Dalit Freedom Network UK has good reason to be pleased with the progress they have made especially at this early stage. Having taken significant steps in 2011, there is a strong sense of anticipation about the coming year.

Advocacy

In 2011, the issue of human trafficking in India continued to be raised in parliamentary questions and Westminster debates, often at the instigation of DFN. In addition, government minister Lynne Featherstone was able to raise the issue with Indian officials during an official visit to India in the summer – this was very likely the first discussion on the subject at ministerial level between the two countries. There have been some significant steps taken by the Indian government this year including the establishment of over one hundred anti-trafficking units across India and the offering of university training courses on tackling trafficking. As a result of these and other initiatives, India was taken off a watchlist in the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report. The report gives a country-by-country assessment of anti-trafficking progress, and countries considered to be in danger of failing to address human trafficking are listed on the watchlist.

In 2011, DFN UK accepted invitations to take part in two significant government consultations: one on the UK’s human trafficking policy, under the auspices of the Home Office, and the other for the Department for International Development’s Human Trafficking in South Asia Programme. In the policy consultations, DFN has consistently argued that human trafficking is an international problem that requires international solutions. Human trafficking in India has implications for the UK, regardless of whether that trafficking is into the UK. Following the publication of the UK’s policy, DFN has been part of a working group dealing with how the policy will be implemented internationally.

DFN’s role in combating human trafficking was recognised by the Prime Minister when they gathered with other anti-trafficking NGOs at a Reception at 10 Downing Street to mark Anti-Slavery Day. At this event, the Prime Minister stated that Britain has to play a role in tackling trafficking globally.

Raising awareness

DFN has increased its presence on the worldwide web and on social media (Facebook and Twitter) during the year in an effort to tell more people about the gross injustice and human rights abuse faced by India’s Dalits through trafficking and slavery. One of DFN’s Indian partners appeared on BBC Radio 2 during presenter Jeremy Vine’s broadcast from Mumbai. In addition, DFN speakers have addressed a variety of community and faith groups over the year, as well as having an information stand at the public screening of various films on human trafficking. Events around Anti-Slavery Day were also used for raising the profile of our work. Collaborations with Scottish artist, Lou Prendergast, and action man, Max Chandra, have also raised awareness of the Dalits’ plight.