South Asian Nations come together to discuss safe migration to combat human trafficking
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19 2025:
Key stakeholders from nine South Asian countries representing Governments, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, the United Nations and civil society organizations came together for the 'South Asia Consultation Promoting Safe Migration to Combat Trafficking' in New Delhi in the wake of the ongoing migration crisis affecting the world.
The consultation was organized by the Association for Voluntary Action with Just Rights for Children as the technical partner.
Reportedly, human trafficking is the third-largest illegal crime, behind only drug and arms smuggling, and is valued at around 32 billion USD.
The day-long consultation highlighted the importance of adopting a comprehensive, rights-based strategy, harmonized migration policies across the region, and the necessity for legal and policy reforms aligned with both international and regional standards, according to a press release issued by New Life Foundation, Manipur.
Emphasizing on the urgent need for a coordinated global response, the consultation called for bilateral and multilateral agreements that encourage safe migration and enhance joint investigations into organized crime networks and illegal recruitment agencies.
Also present at the consultation were migrants and victims of trafficking from different regions who shared their experiences and struggles, and put forth their suggestions.
Bhuwan Ribhu, founder of Just Rights for Children commented on the trafficking of children and vulnerable youth and further highlighted the plight of individuals deported to India in shackles, and the fear among others in similar situations and stressed on the urgent need for a global response against the organised crime of trafficking.
Addressing the session on 'the Global Compact, Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) and Colombo Process in South Asia, Bijaya Kumari Shreshtha, Executive Committee Member, Migrant Forum in Asia (South Asia), AMKAS, urged the Nepalese Government to extend labour destinations from 110 to 160 as her forum has identified Nepali migrants travelling for labour work to 50 more nations where they could be vulnerable to exploitation.
The consultation primarily focused on some of the key objectives of the GCM such as the vulnerabilities in migration, combating and preventing trafficking in the international context, provision of basic services for migrants, and empowering migrants and society for inclusion and social cohesion.
The GCM is the first inter-Governmental agreement covering international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner.
Some of the other key recommendations made during the consultation for safe migration in the South Asia region include: strong convergence and partnerships among Governments, civil society organizations, and international migration-related bodies; education and awareness tools, such as community-based surveillance systems, integration of these issues into school curricula and capacity-building for at-risk migrants and employing technology, including digital tools, artificial intelligence, and digital identity systems.
Other key panellists who participated in the consultation included Priyank Kanoongo, Member of the National Human Rights Commission and former Chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR); Insaf Nizam, Specialist, Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, International Labor Organisation DWT for South Asia; Deepika Naruka from United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime; Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, Ex-Chief Minister of Lumbini, Nepal; Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna, Director, Our Journey, Malaysia; Dr MMSSB Yalegama, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka; Rajendra Thapa, Joint Secretary, Human Rights and International Treaty Agreements Division, Nepal; Dhananjay Tingal, Executive Director of the Association for Voluntary Action; OP Singh, president, Indian Police Foundation; Rajendra Thapa, joint secretary, Human Rights and International Treaty Agreements Division, Nepal; Dr Bilesha Weeraratne, Research Fellow & Head of Migration and Urbanization Policy Research, Institute of Policy Studies, Sri Lanka; Onkar Sharma, Advisor, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India and Ashwati Dorje, Special Inspector General, Maharashtra Police.
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