On trafficking scenario in Goa: Stray thoughts

Majority of the NGO's based in Goa and metro based NGO's are discussing and circulating the National Human Rights Commission study (NHRC) that was done in 2003 and released in 2005. It is important to note here that the study focused highly on the unofficial red light area of Goa- Baina. But now in 2006 with Baina demolished, is the study really relevant?


The trend of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking has changed. The transit and entry points have changed. As a journalist who has sincerely reported on these issues, I am concerned that these NGO's funded by USAID and UNIFEM by talking about trafficking in Goa using an old study are clearly showing their ignorance about the matter.

For the first time in 2003, the U.S. made non-humanitarian aid contingent on a country tier placement in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report). Countries rated by the State Department as having made no significant effort to fight trafficking, i.e. Tier 3, faced the potential loss of U.S. military aid, educational and cultural assistance, and support from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

According to information available, Shakti Vahini (NGO) has published Indian Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, which rates in one of five "tiers" the anti-trafficking performance of each Indian state. Started last year (2004), the Report parallels and complements US Government's TIP Report from a uniquely Indian perspective (http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2005/46608.htm). Goa is put in category two states in the report brought out in 2004 by Shaktivahini based on a study done in Goa in 2001. Interestingly, the two–page chapter on Goa says that children are trafficked in the state for begging. There can't be anything more ridiculous than this. Another interesting fact is that in the 2001 study, Baina the unofficial red-light area was the hub of traffickers but by 2004 when the report was presented the situation had changed. I hope you agree that to have people who have such low understanding of the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking in Goa to talk on the scenario in Goa would definitely pose a great danger to cause.


Till now the NGO's forced the government to act and formulate Children's Act, Juvenile Justice rules etc. But now a new trend has started wherein the NGO's are doing what the government should be doing—mainstreaming children's rights, preparing state action plan to combat trafficking, training different stake-holders etc. Nothing wrong. But if they are eager to take credit for making policies, then they also need to face criticism for the government failure to rehabilitate trafficked victims and action against the Public Prosecutor based in Margao who has been accused of employing child labour. It is surprising that the very NGO's who make the shrillest and loudest noises claiming about their work and their contribution to the issue of trafficking in conference halls of three and five star resorts conveniently forget to question the government for its inaction because now they are collaborating and networking with the government.