Severe penalties to be imposed in human trafficking cases

Wednesday, 19 September , 2007, 03:48 IANS

New Delhi: India would impose "severe and exemplary" penalties on those indulging in human trafficking and launch a nationwide awareness campaign on the risks of illegal migration, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi has said.

Major amendments would be effected to the Emigration Act of 1983 to introduce a provision to prevent "human smuggling," Ravi said here on Tuesday. "We are going to make the penalties for those who indulge in such crime severe and exemplary," he said while delivering the inaugural address at the consultation meeting of the National Media Coalition against trafficking.

"In the next few weeks, we will launch a nationwide awareness campaign on the risks of illegal immigration," Ravi said, adding: "It must be remembered that illegal immigrants are most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse."

Over 100 journalists from across the country, besides civil society activists and UN agencies participated in the meeting.

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