ISLAMABAD: The Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) on Wednesday urged enhanced coordination between the government and civil society for awareness regarding the risks of human smuggling and trafficking.

Unveiling a comprehensive report on ‘Diagnosis, Discussions and Recommendations of the International Conference on Combatting Trafficking in Persons’ days after the Greece boat tragedy, SSDO Executive Director Syed Kausar Abbas informed the media that the organisation was working closely with the police, the FIA, district and provincial TIP (trafficking in persons) committees, and other relevant government officials for advocacy, capacity-building, and awareness regarding the trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

Mr Abbas said that the SSDO conducted several campaigns in this regard, adding that he shared recommendations developed by the experts and stakeholders at the international conference on human trafficking organised by SSDO a few months ago.

While unveiling the report, Syed Kausar Abbas said that the recommendations presented in the report were compiled in consultation with national and provincial parliamentarians, relevant government officials, law enforcement bodies, lawyers, and victim service providers.

He said that it was recommended to further strengthen law enforcement efforts by providing adequate resources to the law enforcement agencies for capacity enhancement of officers, investigation, and prosecution of human trafficking and smuggling cases. This also includes the establishment and training of specialised units in LEAs fully equipped to handle these cases.

He said there was a need to address the root causes behind increasing human trafficking and bonded labour through the provision of education, employment and economic generation opportunities targeted towards the marginalised communities.

Muhammad Shahid Khan, senior director of programmes at SSDO, emphasised that there was an urgent need to conduct countrywide research and generate evidence-based learning and a database for comprehensive social and legal approaches to combat this illegal business.

He also advocated public awareness campaigns about the risks of human trafficking. “This can be done through community-specific campaigns, school programmes, and community outreach efforts,” he said, adding that mass awareness campaign for the education of the common citizens was required at the state level. He also stressed the need for a national hotline for reporting human trafficking and smuggling cases for better coordination among all stakeholders, for effective victim services, and for maintaining a centralised database on both internal and external trafficking cases. It was also recommended to consolidate relevant laws under one legislation.

“There is a need to blend various provisions in the general laws [Pakistan Penal Code, [sections] 369-376], provincial Bonded Labour Abolition Acts, Prevention of Trafficking in Person Act 2018, and Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018 for combating human trafficking, smuggling and bonded labour in Pakistan,” the speaker said. It was suggested that separate courts or benches be established for the implementation of the law.

Mr Abbas emphasised that media organisations could play a vital role in creating awareness, informing the masses, and mobilising efforts to combat the dangers and illegal activities associated with the smuggling of migrants and human trafficking.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2023