Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
60/-
Human Touch
(A Monthly Publication of Manavadhikar Samajik Manch)
Human Touch is a platform for non-partisan portrayal of human rights issues in their different forms. Be it
the rights of the weaker sections of our population such as the women, the children, the aged and the
physically challenged, or the victims of some social customs, cultural traditions and economic & non-economic
policies, the publication brings out the issues objectively and in a manner that would give succour to the
people whose rights are either violated or put in jeopardy.
Human Touch acts as a forum for scholars, activists, concerned individuals and the common men &
women to ventilate their grievances, express their views and to highlight cases of human rights violations,
so that appropriate ameliorative actions can be taken by the concerned agencies. It is meant to help the
helpless and to speak for those whose voices are not heard. It engages in constructive and incisive debate
on issues that are not only of day-to-day concern but also on issues that are important for posterity. This
publication is a step forward in realising the vision of Manavadhikar Samajik Manch, i.e. creation of a
just and equitable society.
National News 16
International News 25
While 23 states and UTs have already achieved the target of total fertility rate (TFR) of 2.1 per cent,
states like like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar with large population base still have TFR of 3.3 and 3.5 per
cent respectively. Other states like Jharkhand (TFR- 2.8), Rajasthan (TFR-2.9), Madhya Pradesh
(TFR- 2.9) and Chhattisgarh (TFR- 2.9) continue to have higher levels which contribute to the
growth of population, Vardhan said.
As per World Population Prospects: The 2012 Revision, the population of India is likely to be around
162 crores and that of China will 138 crores by 2050. The Health Minister further said that various
measures for stabilizing the populaton have been initiated under which a rational human resource
development plan is in place for provision of Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUCD) and No-
Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) to empower the facilities.
Further directives have been issued to the states to notify fixed days per week at primary health
centres for conducting IUCD insertions. Further, Government has been emphasising on Minilap
Tubectomy services and increasing male participation and promotion of NSV, which is a safe and
effective method of permanent surgical contraception for men along with improving the supply
management of contraceptives..
When we look at the global scenario, the donor countries are not meeting their commitments. Therefore,
there is lack of resources which is becoming a major stumbling block in reaching global goals on
population and reproductive health. The available resources are not meeting their reproductive health
needs of more than 80 per cent of developing countries. Though progress had been made since 1994
when a global action plan was adopted in an International Conference on Population and Development
(ICPD) in Cairo, much more must be done to ensure reproductive hsealth and rights including those
of the world's 1.3 billion adolescents, to promote safe motherhood and to stem the spread of HIV/
AIDS.
There is a lot of work that needs to be done in this area and all the developing and developed countries
must join hands to achieve the goal.
Dr. A. Shanker
"It is encouraging to see countries turning commitment into action to tackle hepatitis.
Identifying interventions that have a high impact is a key step towards eliminating this devastating disease.
Many countries have succeeded in scaling-up the hepatitis B vaccination.
Now we need to push harder to increase access to diagnosis and treatment."
W
orld Hepatitis Day 2017 is "For hepatitis elimination to become dramatically in some countries
being commemorated under a reality, countries need to accelerate (primarily in some high-burden, low-
the theme "Eliminate their efforts and increase investments and lower middle income countries),
Hepatitis" to mobilize intensified in life-saving care. There is simply facilitated by the introduction of
action towards the health targets in no reason why many millions of generic versions of these medicines.
the 2030 Sustainable Development people still have not been tested for The list of DAAs available to countries
Goals. In 2016, the World Health hepatitis and cannot access the for treating hepatitis C is growing.
Assembly endorsed WHO’s first treatment for which they are in dire
global health sectors strategy on viral need." WHO has just prequalified the first
hepatitis to help countries scale up generic version of one of these drugs:
their responses. sofosbuvir. The average price of the
required three-month treatment
The new WHO data show that more course of this generic is between
than 86% of countries reviewed have US$260 and US$280, a small fraction
set national hepatitis elimination Viral hepatitis affected 325 million of the original cost of the medicine
targets and more than 70% have people worldwide in 2015, with 257 when it first went on the market in
begun to develop national hepatitis million people living with hepatitis B 2013. WHO prequalification
plans to enable access to effective and 71 million people living with guarantees a product’s quality, safety
prevention, diagnosis, treatment and hepatitis C - the two main killers of and efficacy and means it can now
care services. Furthermore, nearly the five types of hepatitis. Viral be procured by the United Nations
half of the countries surveyed are hepatitis caused 1.34 million deaths and financing agencies such as
aiming for elimination through in 2015 – a figure close to the number UNITAID, which now includes
providing universal access to hepatitis of TB deaths and exceeding deaths medicines for people living with HIV
treatment. But WHO is concerned linked to HIV. who also have hepatitis C in the
that progress needs to speed up. portfolio of conditions it covers.
Improving access to hepatitis C cure:
"The national response towards Hepatitis C can be completely cured Hepatitis B treatment:
hepatitis elimination is gaining with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) With high morbidity and mortality
momentum. However, at best one in within 3 months. However, as of globally, there is great interest also in
ten people who are living with 2015, only 7% of the 71 million people the development of new therapies for
hepatitis know they are infected and with chronic hepatitis C had access chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
can access treatment. This is to treatment. The most effective current hepatitis
unacceptable," said Dr Gottfried B treatment, tenofovir, (which is not
Hirnschall, WHO's Director of the WHO is working to ensure that DAAs curative and which in most cases
HIV Department and Global Hepatitis are affordable and accessible to those needs to be taken for life), is available
Programme. who need them. Prices have dropped for as low as $48 per year in many
Hepatitis B is also spread by In infants and children: Acute HBV infection is characterized
percutaneous or mucosal exposure to - 80–90% of infants infected during by the presence of HBsAg and
infected blood and various body the first year of life develop immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody to
fluids, as well as through saliva, chronic infections; and the core antigen, HBcAg. During the
menstrual, vaginal, and seminal fluids. - 30–50% of children infected initial phase of infection, patients are
Sexual transmission of hepatitis B before the age of 6 years develop also seropositive for hepatitis B e
may occur, particularly in chronic infections. antigen (HBeAg). HBeAg is usually a
unvaccinated men who have sex with marker of high levels of replication
men and heterosexual persons with In adults: of the virus. The presence of HBeAg
multiple sex partners or contact with - less than 5% of otherwise healthy indicates that the blood and body
sex workers. Infection in adulthood persons who are infected as fluids of the infected individual are
leads to chronic hepatitis in less than adults will develop chronic highly infectious.
5% of cases. Transmission of the infection; and
virus may also occur through the - 20–30% of adults who are Chronic infection is characterized by
reuse of needles and syringes either chronically infected will develop the persistence of HBsAg for at least
in health-care settings or among cirrhosis and/or liver cancer. 6 months (with or without
Prevention
The hepatitis B vaccine is the mainstay
concurrent HBeAg). Persistence of from US$ 400 to US$ 1500 for a year of hepatitis B prevention. WHO
HBsAg is the principal marker of risk of treatment in February 2017. While recommends that all infants receive
for developing chronic liver disease some middle-income countries (such the hepatitis B vaccine as soon as
and liver cancer (hepatocellular as China and the Russian Federation) possible after birth, preferably within
carcinoma) later in life. still face patent barriers in accessing 24 hours. The low incidence of
tenofovir, generic tenofovir is chronic HBV infection in children
Treatment affordable in most countries where under 5 years of age at present can be
There is no specific treatment for it is accessible. The Global Price attributed to the widespread use of
acute hepatitis B. Therefore, care is Reporting Mechanism (GPRM) hepatitis B vaccine. Worldwide, in
aimed at maintaining comfort and indicates that the cost for a year of 2015, the estimated prevalence of HBV
adequate nutritional balance, including treatment ranged from US$ 48 to US$ infection in this age group was about
replacement of fluids lost from 50 in February 2017. 1.3%, compared with about 4.7% in
vomiting and diarrhoea. the pre-vaccination era. The birth dose
In most people, however, the should be followed by 2 or 3 doses to
Chronic hepatitis B infection can be treatment does not cure hepatitis B complete the primary series. In most
treated with medicines, including oral infection, but only suppresses the cases, 1 of the following 2 options is
antiviral agents. Treatment can slow replication of the virus. Therefore, considered appropriate:
the progression of cirrhosis, reduce most people who start hepatitis B
incidence of liver cancer and improve treatment must continue it for life. - a 3-dose schedule of hepatitis B
long term survival. vaccine, with the first dose
There is still limited access to (monovalent) being given at birth
WHO recommends the use of oral diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis and the second and third
treatments - tenofovir or entecavir, B in many resource-constrained (monovalent or combined
because these are the most potent settings. In 2015, of the 257 million vaccine) given at the same time
drugs to suppress hepatitis B virus. people living with HBV infection, 9% as the first and third doses of
They rarely lead to drug resistance (22 million) knew their diagnosis. Of diphtheria, pertussis (whooping
as compared with other drugs, are those diagnosed, the global treatment cough), and tetanus – (DTP)
simple to take (1 pill a day), and have coverage was only 8% (1.7 million). vaccine; or
few side effects so require only Many people are diagnosed only - a 4-dose schedule, where a
limited monitoring. when they already have advanced monovalent birth dose is followed
liver disease. by three monovalent or combined
Entecavir is off-patent, but availability vaccine doses, usually given with
and costs vary widely. Tenofovir is Among the long-term complications other routine infant vaccines.
protected by a patent until 2018 in of HBV infections, cirrhosis and
most upper-middle- and high-income hepatocellular carcinoma cause a The complete vaccine series induces
countries, where the cost ranged large disease burden. Liver cancer protective antibody levels in more
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes both
acute and chronic infection. Acute
HCV infection is usually
asymptomatic, and is only very rarely
(if ever) associated with life-
than 95% of infants, children and - travellers who have not completed threatening disease. About 15–45%
young adults. Protection lasts at least their hepatitis B vaccination of infected persons spontaneously
20 years and is probably lifelong. series, who should be offered the clear the virus within 6 months of
Thus, WHO does not recommend vaccine before leaving for infection without any treatment.
booster vaccination for persons who endemic areas.
have completed the 3 dose The remaining 60–80% of persons
vaccination schedule. The vaccine has an excellent record will develop chronic HCV infection.
of safety and effectiveness. Since Of those with chronic HCV
All children and adolescents younger 1982, over 1 billion doses of hepatitis infection, the risk of cirrhosis of the
than 18 years-old and not previously B vaccine have been used worldwide. liver is between 15–30% within 20
vaccinated should receive the vaccine In many countries where between 8– years.
if they live in countries where there 15% of children used to become
is low or intermediate endemicity. In chronically infected with the hepatitis Geographical distribution
those settings it is possible that more B virus, vaccination has reduced the Hepatitis C is found worldwide. The
people in high-risk groups may rate of chronic infection to less than most affected regions are WHO
acquire the infection and they should 1% among immunized children. Eastern Mediterranean and European
also be vaccinated. They include: Regions, with the prevalence of 2.3%
In 2015, global coverage with the and 1.5% respectively. Prevalence of
- people who frequently require third dose of hepatitis B vaccine HCV infection in other WHO regions
blood or blood products, dialysis reached 84%, and global coverage varies from 0.5% to 1.0%.
patients, recipients of solid organ with the birth dose of hepatitis B Depending on the country, hepatitis
transplantations; vaccine was 39%. The WHO Region C virus infection can be concentrated
- people interned in prisons; of the Americas and WHO Western in certain populations (for example,
- persons who inject drugs; Pacific Region were the only regions among people who inject drugs) and/
- household and sexual contacts of that have wide coverage. In addition, or in general populations. There are
people with chronic HBV implementation of blood safety multiple strains (or genotypes) of the
infection; strategies, including quality-assured HCV virus and their distribution varies
- people with multiple sexual screening of all donated blood and by region.
partners; blood components used for
- healthcare workers and others transfusion, can prevent transmission Transmission
who may be exposed to blood and of HBV. Worldwide, in 2013, 97% of The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne
blood products through their blood donations were screened and virus. It is most commonly
work; and quality assured, but gaps persist. Safe transmitted through:
Prevention
Primary prevention
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C,
therefore prevention of HCV infection
depends upon reducing the risk of
exposure to the virus in health-care
settings and in higher risk
populations, for example, people who
inject drugs, and through sexual
contact.
W
orld Population Day, which avoid the exhaustion, depletion and programme on population and in the
seeks to focus attention on danger of too many pregnancies, too follow-up to the International
the urgency and importance close together. Men and women have Conference on Population and
of population issues, was established the right to choose when and how Development. United Nations
by the then-Governing Council of the often to embrace parenthood — if at missions, national Government
United Nations Development all. Every individual has the human offices, United Nations offices,
Programme in 1989, an outgrowth right to determine the direction and researchers, media representatives
of the interest generated by the Day scope of his or her future in this and the public regularly consult the
of Five Billion, which was observed fundamental way. Population Division regarding
on 11 July 1987. population estimates and projections,
Background and information and analyses on
2018 theme: “Family Planning is population and development issues.
a Human Right”
This year marks the 50th anniversary At its thirty-eighth session, the
of the 1968 International Conference Statistical Commission requested the
on Human Rights, where family Current estimates indicate that United Nations Statistics Division and
planning was, for the first time, roughly 83 million people are being other international agencies to
globally affirmed to be a human right. added to the world’s population every increase their technical assistance to
year. Even assuming that fertility national statistical offices in order to
The conference’s outcome levels will continue to decline, the strengthen national capacity for the
document, known as the Teheran global population is expected to reach implementation of the 2010 World
Proclamation, stated unequivocally: 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 Programme on Population and
“Parents have a basic human right to and 11.2 billion in 2100, according Housing Censuses. In addition, the
determine freely and responsibly the to the medium-variant projection. Commission requested countries to
number and spacing of their begin implementation of the revised
children.” The UN Population Division Principles and Recommendations for
collaborates closely with the Population and Housing Censuses.
Embedded in this legislative language agencies, funds, programmes and
was a game-changing realization: bodies of the United Nations system UNFPA works with many partners,
Women and girls have the right to in the implementation of the work both within and outside the United
H
uman trafficking is a crime The Trust Fund facilitates effective, In 2013, the General Assembly held
that exploits women, children on-the-ground assistance and a high-level meeting to appraise the
and men for numerous Global Plan of Action. Member States
purposes including forced labour and also adopted resolution A/RES/68/192
sex. The International Labour and designated July 30 as the World
Organization estimates that 21 million Day against Trafficking in Persons.
people are victims of forced labour protection to victims of trafficking, This resolution declared that such a
globally. This estimate also includes through grants to specialized NGOs. day was necessary to “raise
victims of human trafficking for In the coming years, it aims to awareness of the situation of victims
labour and sexual exploitation. While prioritize victims coming from a of human trafficking and for the
it is not known how many of these context of armed conflict and those promotion and protection of their
victims were trafficked, the estimate identified among large refugee and rights.”
implies that currently, there are migration flows. It will also focus its
millions of trafficking in persons assistance to victims trafficked for In September 2015, the world
victims in the world. the purpose of sexual exploitation, adopted the 2030 Sustainable
organ removal, forced begging, Development Agenda and embraced
Every country in the world is affected forced criminality and emerging goals and targets on trafficking in
by human trafficking, whether as a exploitative purposes (e.g. skin persons. These goals call for an end
country of origin, transit, or removal, online pornography). to trafficking and violence against
destination for victims. Children make children; as well as the need for
up almost a third of all human measures against human trafficking,
trafficking victims worldwide, and they strive for the elimination of
according to the United Nations all forms of violence against and
Office on Drugs and Crime Global exploitation of women and girls.
Report on Trafficking in Persons.
Additionally, women and girls Another important development is
comprise 71 per cent of human the UN Summit for Refugees and
trafficking victims, the report states. Migrants, which produced the
groundbreaking New York
In 2010, the General Assembly Declaration. Of the nineteen
adopted the Global Plan of Action to commitments adopted by countries
Combat Trafficking in Persons, in the Declaration, three are dedicated
urging Governments worldwide to to concrete action against the crimes
take coordinated and consistent of human trafficking and migrant
measures to defeat this scourge. The smuggling.
Plan calls for integrating the fight
against human trafficking into the ‘Act to Protect and Assist
UN’s broader programmes in order Trafficked Persons’
to boost development and strengthen This year the United Nations Office
security worldwide. One of the on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has
crucial provisions in the Plan is the chosen ‘act to protect and assist
establishment of a UN Voluntary Trust trafficked persons’ as the focus of
Fund for victims of trafficking, the World Day. This topic highlights
especially women and children. one of the most pressing issues of
Clothing Brands Need to Step Up In May, when I was speaking to the problems still hadn’t been
and Keep Women Safe in Their garment workers about the resolved. Another of her co-workers
Factories conditions in factories, I met Roja R., also told me she was sexually
In a recent survey of experts, a married woman in her 30s who harassed in a different part of the same
countries were ranked according to worked in a factory in the Indian city factory.
how safe they are for women. India of Mysore making clothing for
came out as the most dangerous, international brands. She told me the Even in their desperation for some
followed by Afghanistan and Syria. cutting section supervisor had been respite from the harassment, they had
Leaving aside the survey’s obvious stalking her, asking for sexual favors. one plea: They wanted the clothing
challenges – including its attempt to She said he misused his access to her brands they work for to help fix the
use six measures to compare 10 very cell number, calling her after work problem, but not by cutting ties with
different countries – it paints a dire hours to harass her. He promised that the factory. If the factory lost
picture for women’s safety in the if she submitted to his demands, he business, these women could lose
world. One area in which women would give her a more manageable their jobs. They feared not just for
everywhere face discrimination, their own livelihoods, but also for
inequality, harassment or violence in those of their colleagues.
their everyday lives is in their
workplace. Governments and The factory’s management exploited
corporations must contend with how workload and assured her that he this fear. The women say supervisors
to keep women safe when they are would quickly approve requests for had threatened them, telling them that
working. time off work. any mention of harassment or other
complaints to the monitors who
Globally, the #MeToo and #TimesUp Roja resisted. She complained to the inspect factories for labor
movements have forced many factory administration. But the person compliance would cause problems.
companies to revisit their gender pay she spoke with laughed and told her: The women were told: “You will take
gap and anti-harassment policies. The “This is normal practice and you need away food from many mouths. Do
momentum has spurred discussions to adjust.” Nobody in the factory’s you want everyone to eat mud?”
for a new international labor standard management took the steps that
that squarely addresses violence and Indian law requires to stop Brands need to be held accountable
harassment in the workplace. harassment. That includes setting up for monitoring and remediating labor
an internal complaints committee and conditions in factories they source
As in the apparel industry, for disseminating and publicly displaying from, rather than being allowed to
example, where women make up the names and contact information conveniently distance themselves
much of the global workforce. of committee members. Companies from labor abuses.
Apparel companies should do more are also supposed to develop a policy
to create work spaces free of against harassment and widely No doubt a brand should be able to
violence and harassment, including publicize it through harassment- cut ties with a factory that is a repeat
sexual harassment. This is not just prevention training programs. offender, one that shows zero
for the benefit of their own willingness to put in place legal
employees, but also for the The harassment went on for months, protections and to abide by
customers and clients walking into Roja said. She was losing sleep. international human rights standards.
their stores; the models who are the Coming from a conservative family, But before taking that step,
face of their clothes; and the workers she worried that her husband would companies need to find ways to help
producing their clothes and shoes in find out, blame her and stop her from factories improve and ensure that
factories around the world. going to work. By the time I met her, workers can safely raise their issues.
NHRC to the Government of The State Government has also The Commission registered a case
Arunachal Pradesh: pay Rs. five served a show cause to the suo motu on the basis of a media
thousand each to 88 girl students Chairman, Arunachal Farmers' report regarding the incident on 1st
forced to remove their clothes by Development Society, Sagalee, December, 2017. While issuing the
the three teachers now facing which is running the KGBV, seeking notices to the Chief Secretary,
criminal charges explanation why the MoU signed Government of Arunachal Pradesh
The National Human Rights between the society with SSA, Rajya and the Secretary, Union Ministry of
Commission, NHRC has Mission, Itanagar, should not be Human Resource Development in the
recommended that the Government terminated. It has also been directed matter, the Commission had
of Arunachal Pradesh pay Rs. 5,000/ that male Headmasters and teachers observed that the sordid act of the
- each, as monetary relief, to the 88 engaged in all KGBVs in the State school teachers, as reported in the
girl students of the Kasturba Gandhi be replaced immediately and it is also media, was indeed inexcusable.
Balika Vidyalaya, District Papum proposed to install cameras in the Teachers are always highly respected
Pare, Arunachal Pradesh, who were girls hostel. in the society as they play the role of
stripped off their dignity when forced a true guide and protector for their
to remove their clothes in front of students. Such an inhuman and
the entire school, as punishment by insensible act cannot be expected
the three teachers, when none among from them. Stripping minor girls, in
them confessed for having written front of the entire school, is unethical
vulgar words against the head teacher The Union Ministry of Human and cruel act committed by the
and another student on a piece of Resource and Development has teachers who were their lawful
paper on the 23rd November, 2017. informed about a series of guidelines custodians and protectors, at that
have been issued to the State time.
The Commission's directions have Governments. These also include
come after the reports received from guidelines on the safety and security NHRC holds discussions on "The
the State Government confirmed the of girl students in the Kasturba Prison Reforms and Prisoner's
incidents and informed that the act Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas. Welfare in India" in its second
of three teachers had been found 'Open Forum'
inhumane and cruel. Their action on The Commission has observed that The National Human Rights
minor girl students was against the the report from the Government of Commission, NHRC in its second
basic human dignity and decency. Arunachal Pradesh indicates that 'Open Forum' held a discussion on
After enquiry, the Education the concerned State authorities have "The Prison Reforms and Prisoner's
Department placed one teacher under failed in their responsibility to Welfare in India" at Manav Adhikar
suspension, while the two others protect the Right to dignity of the Bhawan in New Delhi today. Opening
were removed from the services. 88 girls for which vicariously they it, Mr. Justice H.L. Dattu,
The matter was reported to the police are liable. The criminal proceedings Chairperson NHRC said that
station and a case Cr. No. 112/17 had initiated against the guilty teachers sustained efforts are needed from all
been registered U/Ss 354 (b) of 34 have been noted but the State the stakeholders to improve the
IPC read with Section 21 (1) of Government should also pay a sum conditions in prisons in the country
POCSO Act. The three teachers were of Rs. 5,000/- each as monetary by putting in place the process of
arrested and later on released on bail. relief to the 88 girl students. It has reforms.
The affected girl students had been also asked for a compliance report
imparted emotional and psychological along with proof of payment within With reference to the overcrowding
counseling. four weeks. of jails resulting in denial of basic
Insurgents Use Landmines in The insurgents have claimed that ethnic Malay Muslims for
South Thailand ethnic Thai Buddhists should not live generations. Their plantations have
Separatist insurgents have used in the southern border provinces. been abandoned. Landmine victim
landmines to maim rubber plantation They have frequently used both Suthin Haewkhuntod is the last ethnic
workers and seriously disrupt the victim-activated and command- Thai Buddhist latex tapper in his
daily life of people in Thailand’s detonated landmines over the past village.
southern border provinces, Human decade, according to Landmine
Rights Watch said today. Ethnic Monitor. Victim-activated mines are Although the insurgents have suffered
Malay Muslim insurgents affiliated specifically prohibited by the Mine major setbacks from government
with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Ban Treaty. Since the first reported security sweeps, they maintain a
(BRN) separatist movement should case in 2010, Human Rights Watch presence in hundreds of ethnic Malay
immediately cease using found that the BRN insurgents Muslims village. The BRN insurgents
antipersonnel landmines and end frequently used explosives activated point to abusive, heavy-handed
attacks on civilians. tactics by government security
forces as a justification for their acts
On July 2, 2018, Suthin of violence, and as a recruiting tactic
Haewkhuntod, an ethnic Thai to get new members.
Buddhist latex tapper in Yala by pressure plates or tripwires to kill
province’s Krong Penang district, lost and injure people working in rubber In the southern border provinces,
his foot after he stepped on a landmine and fruit plantations. Thai government security forces and
reportedly laid by insurgents on the associated militias have carried out
rubber plantation where he worked. International humanitarian law, also reprisal attacks and other abuses in
Two other ethnic Thai Buddhist latex known as the laws of war, prohibits violation of the laws of war.
tappers, Wipawan Plodkaenthong and attacks on civilians or attacks that fail Government forces benefit from an
Chutipon Namwong, were seriously to discriminate between combatants entrenched culture of impunity for
wounded by landmines, in Yala’s Yaha and civilians. Since the escalation of human rights violations in the
district on June 28 and in Muang insurgent attacks beginning January southern border provinces. The
district on July 2. 2004, Human Rights Watch has government has yet to successfully
documented numerous violations of prosecute any police or military
“Laying landmines on rubber the laws of war. Most victims have personnel for human rights abuses
plantations and in paths used by been civilians from the populations against suspected ethnic Malay
villagers is cruel beyond words,” said of ethnic Thai Buddhists and ethnic Muslim insurgents.
Brad Adams, Asia director. “Insurgent Malay Muslims in the provinces of
groups should stop using these Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and “The Thai government should
unlawful weapons and clear the Songkhla. There is no basis to respond to the insurgents’ use of
landmines they have already laid.” insurgent claims that attacks on Thai landmines and other brutal attacks
Buddhist civilians are lawful because on civilians by upholding the rule of
The separatist groups should observe they are part of the Thai Buddhist state law, ending security force abuses,
the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, which or that Islamic law, as they interpret and addressing long-held grievances
Thailand ratified in 1998. it, permits such attacks. in the ethnic Malay Muslim
Antipersonnel mines are prohibited community,” Adams said. “If the
because they cannot discriminate The most visible impact of insurgent government continues to shield its
between civilians and combatants, attacks is the flight of ethnic Thai troops from criminal liability, it will
and because they kill and maim people Buddhists from the communities only add fuel to the flames of
long after they are laid. where they have lived alongside insurgent violence.”
W
hen MONA was 13 years, trafficked victim is another 2002-2004 shows that the major
her mother died and her dimension. Vulnerability, as often issues in law enforcement are as
father remarried. The quoted, is not exactly attributable to follows:
stepmother was uncomfortable with
Mona and wanted to send her away 1. Lack of priority-The law
for some job, where she would be enforcement agencies and justice
able to look after herself. Along came delivery agencies, for various
a ”contractor” who arranged jobs for poverty. It is a culmination of several reasons, accord lowest or nil priority
youngsters as domestic help, etc. He factors, including awareness of rights, to HT issues.
paid a certain sum of money to the lack of access to rights, illiteracy,
stepmother and took Mona to a town disparities of income , the scope for 2. Insensitivity-The lack of
far away. He got her a job in a exploitation of the victim, poor law sensitivity to human trafficking is a
massage parlour as a ‘receptionist’. enforcement, lack of public major challenge. It is more of an
Even before Mona got to know the awareness and the ” culture of attitudinal issue.
work profile, she realized that she had silence” to violation of rights of
been trapped into sexual others. 3. Victimization of the victim-More
exploitation. She had become a sexual often, the trafficked women have
slave to the ‘customers’ who Article 23 of the Constitution of India been arrested and penalized for
frequently visits the place for full- prohibits trafficking in any form. We ‘soliciting’.
body massage. have special legislations like the
Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 4 Improper Investigation-
Mona is no exception. She is one of (ITPA), 1956, the Bonded Labour trafficking involves a long trail,
the millions of women and children System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and the starting from the source point,
being trafficked and exploited. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) covering several transit points before
Mona’s case presents a typical Act, 2000. The law enforcement terminating at the destination. But the
trafficking scenario. Human scenario, seen from the traditional investigation is more or less confined
trafficking (HT) is one of the gravest viewpoint, presents a dismal picture. to the place where the victim is
violations of human dignity and Research conducted by the National rescued. Victims remain more often
human rights. Trafficking can be Human Rights Commission during unheard and unrepresented.
classified under three heads: (a) for
commercial sexual exploitation 5. Organized crime perspective is
(CSE), (b) for exploitative labour or lacking in investigation- HT
EL and (c) for other forms of involves several offenders like
exploitation, like selling of organs, recruiters, transporters, traffickers,
camel jockeying, etc. harbourers, exploiters and
conspirators. But often, investigation
CSE could take place in a brothel or is limited to those present at the scene
anywhere else like massage parlours of rescue. Human trafficking being
and bars. The cause of trafficking is an organized crime requires sharing
two-dimensional. One is the demand of intelligence and an in-depth
factor and the other is the investigation into all linkages but this
vulnerability of the person being is rarely done.
victimized. More the demand, more
the crime. The vulnerability of the 6. Lack of co-ordination-The
response to human trafficking
I
t is a proven fact that education establishment or by allocating more achieve parity with those of the
and more education is the ultimate money for existing educational general category. So, till, we continue
panacea for curing the ills of the institutions, and wishing that some with the existing frame-work of our
people. Accordingly, governments of of these will rise to world-class, government-aided educational
various countries are making effort nothing significant can be achieved. institutions, there is no scope for
to raise the quality of higher education raising the level of Indian Universities
of their people. to the world-class.
Name (Individual/Institution):..................................................................................................................
Mailing Address:.......................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................Postal Code...........................
We provide services in :
Mini Offset:
1. Voucher Pads
2. Leaflets/Handbills/Fliers
3. Posters etc. CRYSTAL Communications
Screen Printing: G-52, 2nd Floor, Kalkaji, New Delhi-110019
1. Visiting Cards, Phone: 46109702 Telefax: 46532552
2. Letter Heads Mob: 9810284958, 9350314602
3. Envelopes E-mail: crystalcom@gmail.com
4. Marriage & Invitation Cards etc.