Judicial colloquium on role of law enforcement in combating human trafficking held

Shillong, Nov 30: A one-day Judicial Colloquium on the role of law eenforcement in combating human trafficking organised by the Meghalaya State Judicial Academy in collaboration with the International Justice Mission (IJM) and supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs was held at Yojana Bhavan Auditorium, Shillong on Saturday.

The inaugural programme was graced by Justice H.S. Thangkhiew and Justice W. Diengdoh, Judges of the High Court of Meghalaya. The objective of the Colloquium was to strengthen the technical capacities of law enforcement agencies and judicial officers towards prosecution of crimes of human trafficking, sharing information and promoting best practices and to evolve mutually acceptable strategies in ensuring expeditious disposal of human trafficking crimes and protection of the rights of victims.

High Court of Meghalaya Judge, Justice H.S. Thangkhiew said that human trafficking is confined not only to women, but also men and children.

As responsible citizens of the society, he said, “we have a social responsibility and have an important role to play in tackling human trafficking crimes.”

He also said that colloquium such as these, offer a platform for discussing, sharing and exchanging ideas among all the stakeholders to come up with concrete solution to curb this menace.

High Court of Meghalaya, Judge Justice W. Diengdoh in his address said that human trafficking is an age old problem and it happens not only in the international borders but across the nations.

He hoped that through this colloquium, resource persons will deliberate on the measures to prevent and protect innocent children and people who are caught up in human trafficking.

A short video on “Bonded Labour” and “Sex Trafficking” were screened during the programme.

The inaugural programme was followed by a technical session where resource persons Saptarshi Biswas, Director, Legal, IJM, Kolkata and Rosanna Lyngdoh, IMPULSE NGO Network deliberated on the topics, “The role of law enforcement in combating human trafficking” and “Combating human trafficking through IMPULSE model” respectively.