Question : NHRC DIRECTIVES ON CRIMES

(a) whether the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of several cases of crimes against women and children including trafficking;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the NHRC has issued any directives to the Union and State Governments for investigation of such matters and providing compensation to the victims;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of the steps being taken by the Union Government thereon to combat rising crimes against women and children in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI GURUDAS KAMAT)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 162 FOR 8TH MARCH, 2011

(a) & (b): As per the information provided by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Human Rights Commission has registered 23608 complaints regarding violation of human rights/crimes against women, including trafficking, during the period between 1/04/07 to 31/01/2011. Out of these cases, 23254 cases have been disposed and 354 cases are pending for consideration. During the same period, the Commission has also registered 1917 complaints regarding violation of human rights/crimes against children. Out of these cases, 1779 cases have been disposed and 138 cases are pending for consideration

(c): NHRC had conducted an Action Research on Trafficking in Women and Children in India. On the basis of Action Research, NHRC had prepared plan of Action that was sent to all States/UTs. Later it prepared an Integrated Plan of Action to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking with Special Focus on Children and Women along with Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Women and Child Development and National Commission for Women.

(d): In 39 cases of proven violation of human rights of women, the Commission recommended monetary relief of an amount of Rs.35,25,000/-. In 19 cases of proven violation of human rights of children, the Commission recommended monetary relief of Rs.54,27,000/-.

(e): As per Seventh Schedule, `Police` and `Public Order` are State subjects under the Constitution, and as such the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crimes, including crimes against women and children, lies with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. However, the Union Government attaches highest importance to the matter of prevention and control of crime against women and children. Ministry of Home Affairs has sent detailed advisories dated 4th September, 2009 and dated 14th July, 2010 to all State Governments/UTs, wherein they have been, inter-alia, advised to adopt appropriate measures for swift and salutary punishment to the persons found guilty of violence against women and children, improve the quality of investigations, minimize delays in investigations of crime against women and children, set up `Crime against Women Cells` in districts, advised to undertake gender sensitization of the police personnel, special women courts and initiate steps for security of women working in night shifts at call centres. Majority of the States/UTs have established `Women Cells`. Some States/UTs have also set up `All Women Police stations` at district level and ‘Mahila/children help desk` at police station level. Ministry of Home Affairs has also sanctioned a comprehensive scheme `Strengthening law enforcement response in India against trafficking in persons through training and capacity building”, wherein it is proposed to establish 335 Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), throughout the country and impart training to 10,000 police officers through Training of Trainers (TOTs) in three years. Ministry of Home Affairs has released funds as first instalment amounting to Rs. 8.72 crores to all the State Governments for establishment of 110 Anti Human Trafficking Units. All the States have received funds.