Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Trafficking in women and children is the most abominable violation of human rights. Perhaps not many crimes are as ghastly as trading in human misery. Human rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution are inalienable, non-negotiable and universal. Trafficking in women and children is a violation of several human rights including the very right to life, the right to liberty and human dignity, the right to freedom from torture or cruelty, inhuman or degrading treatment, the right to education and proper employment, the right to health care and every other rights that makes for a life with dignity. Trafficking in women and children are on the rise. And yet, the redressal mechanisms are not well managed and the way the various governmental agencies have dealt with this gross violation of human rights has left much to be desired. This dichotomy calls for an in-depth understanding of the dimensions of trafficking in India as also the need for creating an authentic database, which would help devise appropriate measures to protect human rights with greater vigour.

This book Human Trafficking: Dimensions, Challenges and Responses is a comprehensive and veritable disquisition on human trafficking, loathsome disaster inflicted on human beings by human beings. It is an empowering treatise, prescribing practical and doable programmes and methods in addressing the issues and redressing the grievances. The indicators of measurements and parameters of assessment have been scientifically developed. It is panoply of the issues, dimensions, problems, manifestations and extent of human trafficking, coupled with the best methods of addressing and redressing them. The author of the book Dr. P. M. Nair is a career police officer with the Indian Police Service since 1978. A graduate of the FBI National Academy, USA and the National Defence College, New Delhi, he has handled several crimes including Rajiv Gandhi assassination, human rights violations and many international organised crimes including human trafficking. He has also served as Nodal Officer, Anti Human Trafficking, for National Human Rights Commission. Dr. P. M. Nair’s Hand Book on sex trafficking is one of the best circulated, translated and appreciated resource material in India. His vast experience in the area of human trafficking has resulted in this book.

Starting with the elucidation of the concepts, the book leads the reader to the many manifestations and dimensions of trafficking. The discussion on institutional mechanisms flows into the functional processes in preventing and combating human trafficking. The last chapter is an innovative effort to bring out the roles of different stake holders to the possible service that these could render in addressing human trafficking. In order to measure the effectiveness of the response, indicators for each step in the response system has been drawn up. Similarly, the book also brings out the parameters for the identification of the various issues, problems, challenges and their appropriate responses.

Undoubtedly, this book will be a reference tool kit for NGOs, practitioners encyclopedia for the law enforcement officials, jurists and other professionals, a guide book for students, a compendium for academics and , as the book rightly brings out, a treasure for all of us who are concerned with human dignity.

By Nilabh Krishna