First-of-its-kind workshop on rehabilitation of trafficked children to establish proper mechanism

A national workshop, billed as the first-of-its-kind initiative by the judiciary to establish an appropriate mechanism for rehabilitation and repatriation of missing and trafficked children, will be inaugurated by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur tomorrow.

The two-day event, organised by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), All India Legal Aid Cell on Child Rights and Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi-run NGO Bachpan Bachao Andolan, aims at establishing a proper mechanism for repatriation of the minor victims besides mainstreaming child survivors into a safe and productive life. 

Apart from Thakur, key speakers in the programme include Delhi High Court Chief Justice G Rohini and Satyarthi.

The programme will also see participation of officials of the state legal services authorities, various government departments, police, child welfare committees, juvenile justice boards, district child protection units and NGOs.

The objectives of the consultation include identification of gaps in repatriation and rehabilitation of children, role and responsibilities of different stakeholders and the way forward, developing an effective communication and coordination mechanism between various states and agencies, to strengthen functionality and sustainability of efforts.

It is also proposed that stakeholders from four source states—Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and Chhattisgarh—from where the children are mostly trafficked, would be invited and three destination states—Delhi, Punjab and Haryana—from where the trafficked children are brought would be covered.

It is further proposed that All India Legal Aid Cell on Child Rights, with Delhi State Legal Services Authority’s support, shall provide technical support to legal services authorities and all child protection and law enforcement agencies at various levels to achieve a more robust child protection system for rehabilitation and repatriation of minors.