Activists flag focus on criminalisation over welfare in draft anti-trafficking bill
The Hindu
Existing laws on juvenile justice, bonded labour and POCSO sufficient, say experts.
The emphasis on criminalisation and policing instead of welfare measures in the new proposed anti-trafficking Bill makes it anti-migrants and anti-sex workers, warn experts. The Ministry of Women and Child Development recently placed the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Care and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2021, in the public domain and sought stakeholders' comments till July 14. The Bill is also scheduled to be taken up by Parliament during the upcoming monsoon session. The draft Bill empowers the NIA to carry out investigation, prosecution and coordination in cases of trafficking. It categorises offences into trafficking and aggravated forms of trafficking, with the former carrying a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail and fine of ₹1 lakh and the latter carrying death penalty and fine of upto ₹30 lakh.
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