Global co-operation required for fighting menace of trafficking and exploitation of children’ – Justice J.S. Verma
The Chairperson, Justice J.S. Verma has underlined the need for global co-operation in fighting the menace of trafficking and sexual exploitation of children which transcends national borders. Terming trafficking to be the most demeaning form of indignity inflicted on a human being, he emphasized the need to identify the causes and to make an appropriate diagnosis of the problem. The Chairperson was delivering the Key note Address at the Inaugural Session of the ‘South Asian Conference to Combat Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children’ organized by Save the Children, India in Goa on 14 October 2001.
Justice Verma emphasized the importance of networking amongst the agencies working in this field and their proper coordination. Above all, society must involve itself in this effort, he stated. The Chairperson added that the functioning of the various instruments of governance depended upon the kind of participation of the people of a society. It was the duty of the people to ensure that the instruments of governance remained on the right track. The informal structures represented by non-governmental organizations had a crucial role in this regard.
Justice Verma said that while the role of the judiciary was to protect human rights, the National Human Rights Commission could complement its efforts and act as a facilitator. Referring to the Fundamental Duties under Article 51A of the Constitution, he said that they emphasized ‘respect for the dignity of women’ and `human development’. He observed that development would not be possible if the majority of the people, represented by women and children, were not only deprived but also exploited. In this connection, the Chairperson stressed the importance of Article 45 of the Constitution, which called for the provision of free and compulsory education for all children up the age of 14 years.
In addition to the problems of trafficking and prostitution, the Chairperson also referred to the associated ills of drug-peddling and HIV/AIDS which required to be addressed. He urged the participants to ensure that the right of every child to development, which is a basic human right, be realized. Recalling the provisions of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the provisions in domestic law, he highlighted the need for proper implementation and enforcement. Justice Verma also referred to a petition received by the Commission from 302 residents of Biana Beach, Goa regarding child prostitution and the action initiated by the Commission on this complaint. The Goa administration, it was stressed, needed to be more vigilant and effective.
The inaugural function was also addressed by the Chairperson, Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, Justice Shri A.V. Savant and the Chairperson, Maharashtra State Women’s Commission, Ms. Nirmala Samant Prabhawalkar. Their addresses were followed by the presentation of a paper on ‘Paedophilia in Goa’ by Dr. Nishta Desai.
Justice Verma emphasized the importance of networking amongst the agencies working in this field and their proper coordination. Above all, society must involve itself in this effort, he stated. The Chairperson added that the functioning of the various instruments of governance depended upon the kind of participation of the people of a society. It was the duty of the people to ensure that the instruments of governance remained on the right track. The informal structures represented by non-governmental organizations had a crucial role in this regard.
Justice Verma said that while the role of the judiciary was to protect human rights, the National Human Rights Commission could complement its efforts and act as a facilitator. Referring to the Fundamental Duties under Article 51A of the Constitution, he said that they emphasized ‘respect for the dignity of women’ and `human development’. He observed that development would not be possible if the majority of the people, represented by women and children, were not only deprived but also exploited. In this connection, the Chairperson stressed the importance of Article 45 of the Constitution, which called for the provision of free and compulsory education for all children up the age of 14 years.
In addition to the problems of trafficking and prostitution, the Chairperson also referred to the associated ills of drug-peddling and HIV/AIDS which required to be addressed. He urged the participants to ensure that the right of every child to development, which is a basic human right, be realized. Recalling the provisions of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the provisions in domestic law, he highlighted the need for proper implementation and enforcement. Justice Verma also referred to a petition received by the Commission from 302 residents of Biana Beach, Goa regarding child prostitution and the action initiated by the Commission on this complaint. The Goa administration, it was stressed, needed to be more vigilant and effective.
The inaugural function was also addressed by the Chairperson, Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission, Justice Shri A.V. Savant and the Chairperson, Maharashtra State Women’s Commission, Ms. Nirmala Samant Prabhawalkar. Their addresses were followed by the presentation of a paper on ‘Paedophilia in Goa’ by Dr. Nishta Desai.