India lacks behind Pakistan in Human Trafficking says US report

New Delhi: India is lacking behind Pakistan in combatting human trafficking issues according to the recently released global list by the US on Friday that positioned Pakistan in Tier-2 above India on its human trafficking index.

“The government of Pakistan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so,” said the official report released by the US state department, TOI reported.

“The Government of India does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period; therefore, India remained on Tier 2,” said the US state department report.

The US’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report for 2018 includes countries that are making significant efforts but don’t comply with these minimum standards while the Tier-2 list includes countries being monitored for compliance.

The US report has urged the Indian government to increase prosecutions and convictions for all forms of trafficking, including forced and bonded labour, and of officials allegedly experienced in human trafficking.

“Increase prosecutions and convictions, particularly of forced and bonded labor, while strictly respecting due process; pass an anti-trafficking law that prohibits and penalizes all forms of human trafficking, including sex trafficking of those under 18 without requiring coercive means, and …to increase trafficking-specific services for victims, including for men and boys, and ensure victims are not penalized for acts committed as a result of being subjected to trafficking,” said the US report on Pakistan.