Human trafficking is defined in Section 2 of the Prevention and Control of Human trafficking Ordinance 2002 as under
Human Trafficking means obtaining, securing, selling, purchasing, recruiting, detaining, harboring or receiving a person, not with standing his implicit or explicit consent, by the use of coercion, kidnapping, abduction, or by giving or receiving any payment or benefit, or sharing or receiving a share for such person’s subsequent transportation out of or into Pakistan by any means whatsoever for any of the purposes laid down by law.
Government of Pakistan has also framed rules under P&CHTO in 2004 which provide guidelines to the law enforcing agencies for the following purposes:-
Human Trafficking and smuggling have local, regional and international ramifications. Strong awareness and cooperation at all level is required to control it effectively. Following steps have been taken
According to the Prevention & Control of Human Trafficking Ordinance 2002 "Obtaining, Securing, Selling, Purchasing, Recruiting, Detaining, Harboring or Receiving a person notwithstanding his implicit or explicit consent, by the use of coercion, kidnapping, abduction or by giving or receiving any payment or benefit or receiving a share for such person's subsequent transportation out of or into Pakistan by any means whatsoever for any of the following purposes constitute human trafficking
Camel racing was a traditional desert sport of Beduin tribes. Today, the desert racing rules have been modified for modern racetracks. The unfortunate aspect of this sport is the usage of innocent children as camel jockeys in these races. UNICEF and non-government campaigners say the children often die or are severely injured as they are tied to the camel's back of scare the camel into running faster. The ages to these children are between 5 to 12 years.
These innocent camel jockeys were trafficked from various countries of Asia to UAE by the human traffickers, who were either kidnapped by these traffickers or poor parents present their children for some money. The countries like India, Bangladesh and Pakistan have been targets for these human traffickers. The situation is quite worse for Pakistan as in the recent past hundreds of children were trafficked to UAE for these races to be used as camel jockeys. Analysis of the information transpired that most of these children belong to Districts Rahimyar Khan and Bahawalpur. Both the districts comprise of desert areas.
The modus operandi of smuggling of the children is as under
The UAE Government has banned the use of children as Camel Jockeys below 45 Kg in weight and 14 years of age. During the year 2005, 185 camel jockey children have been deported from UAE. Among them 101 children have been handed over to their parents and 84 are still in the custody of Child Protection and Welfare Bureau Government of Punjab, Lahore. Up till now, 69 cases have been registered in FIA, Passport Circle, Lahore during the year 2005. In these cases 34 Fathers and 15 Mothers have been arrested as facilitators. During investigation, 3 agents and 3 sub-agents were also arrested and they are still in Judicial Lockup. Reportedly two agents have expired, while all the facilitators are on bail. Few identified agents are still at large.
Cases are under investigation and up till now challans in 25 cases have been submitted in the trial court. No accused has been convicted or acquitted.
Recently a special team was deputed to arrest the notorious agents involved in this heinous offence. The team visited different localities of District Rahimyar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan and Multan to arrest the culprits but unfortunately due to incomplete/fake addresses of the agents provided by facilitators desired results could not be achieved.
UNICEF and Government of Punjab in collaboration with OPF are helping and coordinating the repatriation of Camel Jockeys from UAE to Pakistan. Government of Punjab has set up a Child Protection and Welfare Bureau where these children are stationed. These children are handed over to the parents by the competent court as per law.
Sources and intelligence network has been spread especially focusing Rahimyar Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur and Multan Districts. This will help to unearth agents whose addresses are incomplete and parents are reluctant to disclose the facts.
All the staff/officers posted at Immigration Check-posts have been briefed to keep an eye on the profile of down trodden ladies accompanying children bound for UAE.
Special emphasis is being given to the illegal trafficking through Pak – Iran border. For this purpose a close liaison has been established with the agencies like F.C., Coast Guards, Levies, and District Police, as envisaged under the charter of Task Force established for this purpose under the Director General FIA.
The workshop was attended by 53 delegates, representing 24 Bali Process member countries and international organization.
The workshop was opened, by Deputy Commissioner for the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, General Enrique B Galang Jr. In his opening speech, General Galang stressed the importance of the role of immigration agencies in fighting people smuggling, trafficking and other transnational crime. In an environment of increasing technological advancement, it is vital that immigration agencies, as gatekeepers to their country, exercise sound document examination capabilities. General Galang urged delegates to form networks and build partnerships to further develop and enhance a regional approach to information sharing.
The opening statements by the co-chairs Mr. Sam Vallada, Chief, Anti-Fraud Division of the Philippines Bureau of Immigration and Ms Cath Wilson, A/g Assistant Secretary of the. Identity Branch of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, provided a clear context for the workshop.
Delegates were encouraged to take the opportunity to exchange information and work together towards some achievable outcome to practically assist the whole region in the prevention of people smuggling, human trafficking and related transnational crime.
The workshop was presented in five parts as follows
On the first day, Australia made a presentation distinguishing, the levels of document examination required within the immigration environment. The presentation also addressed relevant training and the anti-document fraud manager's role in the immigration environment. The Philippines followed with a presentation of the Philippines' experience in developing a document examination laboratory over a five year period. The presentations offered opportunities for discussion by all delegates and provided a good basis for detailed discussion within break out groups.
Delegates formed three groups to further discuss the development and maintenance of document examination capability in an organization. They focused on training and skills development as well as equipment requirements and management of the document examination function. The delegates acknowledged and discussed the different and complementary roles that frontline immigration officers, secondary immigration officers and managers each play within the document examination framework.
The first part of the second day addressed the various ways that training and learning can take place, including a presentation by Singapore on the implementation and management of an e-learning document examination portal.
Delegates in three groups then work shopped ideas pertaining to document examination alerts and information sharing. During lively and interactive discussions, participants drew on their own experiences in identifying fraud and strategies for the examination of documents. Notably the discussions were centered on the development and maintenance of document examination capability and the document examination alerts and information systems.
Later in the week delegates visited the Passport Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs to view the issuing of Philippines' machine readable passports, and the Philippines Bureau of Immigration to view the forensic document examination laboratory at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Delegates also had the opportunity to view the latest document examination equipment which was provided and showcased by two industry specialists from the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Participating members agreed the objectives of the workshop were met and look forward to keep newly-formed networks active.
Workshop participants expressed their appreciation for the hospitality of The Philippines and Australia in hosting the workshop, the presenters from Australia, Philippines and Singapore for their excellent presentations and the assistance provide by the workshop secretariat.
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