By Sunitha Krishnan | General Secretary
Many apologies for the long delay in our report. As GlobalGiving is having a temporary situation with Government of India for the disbursement of funds for the last few months, I was temporarily confused whether we should be submitting our reports or not.
I am humbled and honored that all of you have continued to support us through our preferred payment gateway partner GlobalGiving.
The last few months have been very hectic for the organization with over 20 foriegn victims mostly nationals from Bangladesh being repatriated back to their country. Any repatriation process is long and cumbersome and requires multiple engagement with different stakeholders. The first hurdle starts with the concerned court to get a repatriation order. Most of the courts are not very keen to pass a repatriation order as the probability of victim coming back to India to testify during the trail becomes a distant possibility. It is herculean task to ensure that most of the legal formality such as recording the 164 statement and identification of the accused is completed. Thereafter the organization gives an assurance in the court to bring back the victim as and when required during the trail.
Having secured the repatriation order, the next step is to convince the Bangladesh High Commission that the person belongs to their country. Validation of citizenship is another lenghty process with the HIgh Commission making an home enquiry and verifying with local officials. This process ends with the issue of a temporary travel permit.
Prajwala then goes to Foriegn Regional Registration Office(FRRO) with the repatriation order and the travel permit to apply for a exit permit. The FRRO after scrutinizing the documents will facilitate the exit of the person from the country.
The final phase is largely between the FRRO and immigration officials to facilitate the exit.
Prajwala as an organization does not hand over any victim/survivor directly to her parents instead ties up with a local NGO in Bangladesh for their continuum of care who thereafter hands over the victim to the family and also ensures there is adequate follow up.
In the last few months, we have been able to rescue 18 Bangladesh girls and 36 traffickers were arrested. In a first of its kind, traffickers from Bangladesh-Kolkata-Hyderabd were all arrested in a case of a minor girl who was trafficked with the use of social media.
The next few months will be a continuation of these cases and rescue of perhaps more minors from prostitution.
By Sunitha Krishnan | General Secretary
By Sunitha Krishnan | General Secretary
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