UNICEF’s Anti-Trafficking Initiatives in South Asia
Children are innocent and vulnerable, free to act as they want with no tensions and no stress; they can enjoy their life to their desire. But some ruthless people, for their personal benefits, snatch this innocent childhood away from the children, send them to unknown places and employ them in antisocial and criminal activities. Child Trafficking is the third largest illegal enterprise in the world.
Asia, especially South Asia is regarded as the origin, transit and destination of child trafficking in the world. Trafficking occurs between the various countries in Asia and also between Asia, Europe and Gulf states. Vulnerable children are trafficked for gross activities and purposes like domestic labor, slavery, sexual exploitation, begging, forced marriage, criminal activities, illegal adoption and many more. It is an infringement of the dignity of the child and violation of child’s basic rights to life, education and freedom.
UNICEF is playing an active role in preventing and responding to issue of child trafficking in Asia. A number of regional and international standards have been developed to combat trafficking of children and prevent violation of child rights. A protocol called Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Person (Palermo Protocol) especially mentions children as well as women. The Palermo protocol has been signed by India and Sri Lanka only in South Asia and has not been ratified by any country in this region. It is developed to supplement the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
The United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the child and its Optional Protocols are the most binding and prominent human rights instrument. All the south Asian countries have ratified this convention while its Optional Protocols have been ratified by all states except Pakistan and Bhutan. There are comprehensive policies specifically for child trafficking in the different regions of South Asia which includes specialized national bodies, international and intergovernmental organizations, community mobilization initiatives, national plans and regional action plans. Most of the countries have a range of national plans of action to ensure child protection from various violations.
The studies undertaken by UNICEF reveal that initiatives designed and taken up keeping the best interests of children in mind, sometimes, exposes them to higher risks. For example, measures should be taken to ensure that the trafficked child is never criminalized. Regulations should be made in a manner that they protect the victims of trafficking and provide legal, psychological, medical and rehabilitation assistance. UNICEF is also trying to strengthen cross border ties with the help of bilateral and multilateral agreements which includes repatriation documentation and cross-border transfer protocols.
To eradicate child trafficking completely, it is vital to address the root causes of trafficking i.e. the causes that put children at risk. Preventive measures on the ‘demand’ as well as the ‘supply’ side of child trafficking along with international collaboration can end this evil and make this world a safe and joyous place for the children.
