Saying no to human trafficking

Each year thousands of men, women, and children fall victim to human trafficking and end up trapped unable to escape or find a way out. They are often tricked and mislead into believing that they are being taken for job opportunities, education, a better life, or through force, abduction. The outcomes in all these cases are the same – the children and adults trafficked lose their rights, their identity and are abused for labour and sexual exploitation.

Since 2013, the UN-initiated 'World Day Against Trafficking in Persons' is observed on July 30 every year. It aims to raise awareness to combat cross-border and in-country human trafficking.

To commemorate this global day, the British High Commission participated in a rally organised by Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre (KMWSC) at Canning, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.

Talking about the 'World Day Against Trafficking, the Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission in Kolkata, Bruce Bucknell said: "I'm pleased to be here today to support efforts in raising awareness to tackle the issue of human trafficking. We should use days such as this to highlight the dangers of trafficking across communities. We need everyone to come together to tackle the dangers that trafficking poses and protect the human rights of all concerned."

Since 2015, KMWSC - the social development wing of the Loreto Sisters has worked in the area of anti-human trafficking. "Tackling human trafficking, bonded and forced labour and exploitation is an important priority and one that my country, the UK, is committed to eradicate," said Bucknell.

Bucknell thanked Ananya Chakraborti, Chairperson, West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Govt. of West Bengal and other senior administrative and police officials of the district, for attending and showing their support.

Speaking on the occasion, Ananya Chakraborti, Chairperson, West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights said: "We need to empower our daughters to tackle the problem of human trafficking. You should counsel your daughters that there are laws against domestic violence and if your married daughters are facing it in their in-laws' house, you should be able to take legal steps." Bucknell, Chakraborti and other senior administrative and police officials of the district also participated in a mass rally in Canning that saw active participation from women and children, civic volunteers and youth from the community.