2010 US Government Trafficking Report: India remains at Tier 2 Watch List

NEWS RELEASE

June 14, 2010

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released the 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report today at 10:30 a.m. at United States Department of State in Washington, D.C.

In the 2010 Report, India remains at the Tier 2 Watch List rating for the 7th consecutive year.

What does this rating mean? From the report: The Government of India does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so, particularly with regard to the law enforcement response to sex trafficking. Despite these efforts, the Indian government has not demonstrated sufficient progress in its law enforcement, protection, or prevention efforts to address labor trafficking, particularly bonded labor; therefore India is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for the seventh consecutive year.

The states of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra gained recognition for their efforts to prosecute sex traffickers. From the Report: During the reporting period, the Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh state governments dramatically improved law enforcement efforts against sex trafficking.

In fact, Andhra Pradesh has produced one of this year’s nine TIP REPORT global heroes: Sattaru Umapathi.

Sattaru Umapathi, the anti-human trafficking officer of the Crime Investigation Department for the state of Andhra Pradesh, has led numerous interstate and intrastate rescue operations across India. Officer Umapathi has played a key role in rescuing victims and arresting traffickers; he has contributed to multiple convictions, leading to sentences ranging from four to 14 years’ imprisonment. He also forged partnerships with NGOs across the country and implemented UNODC anti-trafficking protocols in his state police department.

Officer Umapathi has changed the mindset of his state’s law enforcement community by teaching officials to stop treating trafficking victims as criminals. He has organized judicial conferences and addressed a colloquium in New Delhi, helping educate the judiciary about the need to treat victims with empathy. Officer Umapathi argued for application of the more stringent sections of Indian law in trafficking cases, such as laws related to minors in prostitution, import of foreign girls, and unlawful compulsory labor. He successfully implemented a rescue protocol that included the payment of $220 as interim relief for trafficking victims. Thanks to Officer Umapathi’s dedicated efforts, Andhra Pradesh is becoming a model for other Indian states fighting human trafficking.

The entire report is at http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2010/index.htm

Posted on: June 14, 2010