CHENNAI: The American Center for International Labour Solidarity has embarked upon a project to develop a system to document human rights abuses and instances of human trafficking in South Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The project, funded by the South Asia Regional Initiative/Equity Support Program (SARI/Q), will make use of regional co-operation and communication to combat trafficking, T. Kalaimagal, consultant, said during the inaugural session of the "National advocacy workshop on the role of media in sensitising bilateral agreements and anti-trafficking initiatives to combat trafficking" on Friday. National-level advocacy meetings would be held in all partner countries. Region-wise strategies would be worked out, she added. The workshop was jointly organised by Peace Trust, USAID and SARI/Q.

Protection programme

Sowmiya Anbumani, president, Pasumai Thayagam, said police personnel should be trained to identify and counsel victims of trafficking. Judicial personnel should also be sensitised to the situation of such victims to ensure that they were properly rehabilitated. A proper victim protection programme should be organised and a human trafficking cell should be constituted to deal with such issues.

J. Paul Baskar, chairman, Peace Trust, said there was an increase in the awareness levels of various countries to the issue of human trafficking. Many had made efforts to amend existing laws or introduce new legislation.

Representatives of non-governmental organisations shared their experiences in dealing with victims of human trafficking.

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