Shillong, Nov 30: A one day Judicial Colloquium on the role of Law Enforcement in Combating Human Trafficking organised by the Meghalaya State Judicial Academy in collaboration with the International Justice Mission (IJM) and supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, was held today at Yojana Bhavan Auditorium, Shillong.
The inaugural programme was graced by Justice H.S. Thangkhiew and Justice W. Diengdoh, Judges of the High Court of Meghalaya. The objective of the Colloquium is to strengthen the technical capacities of law enforcement agencies and judicial officers towards prosecution of crimes of human trafficking, sharing information and promoting best practices and to evolve mutually acceptable strategies in ensuring expeditious disposal of human trafficking crimes and protection of the rights of victims.
Judge, High Court of Meghalaya, Justice H.S. Thangkhiew said that human trafficking is confined not only to women but also to men and children. He said that as responsible citizens of the society, we have a social responsibility and have an important role to play in tackling human trafficking crimes. He also said that colloquium such as these offer a platform for discussing, sharing and exchanging ideas amongst all the stakeholders to come up with concrete solution to curb this menace.
Judge, High Court of Meghalaya, Justice W. Diengdoh in his address said that human trafficking is an age old problem and it happens not only in the international borders but across the nations. He hoped that through this colloquium, resource persons will deliberate on the measures to prevent and protect innocent children and people who are caught up in human trafficking.
A short video on “Bonded Labour” and “Sex Trafficking” were screened during the programme.
The inaugural programme was followed by a technical session where resource persons Shri Saptarshi Biswas, Director, Legal, IJM, Kolkata and Smti Rosanna Lyngdoh, IMPULSE NGO Network deliberated on the topics, “The role of law enforcement in combating human trafficking” and “Combating human trafficking through IMPULSE model” respectively.
