The Economic Times warns that the US may slap sanctions on India " for neglecting effective action to stop trafficking in children and women." The US State Department comes out with an annual report based on the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, 2000. The 2004 report is here for the interested. It places India on the Tier 2 Watchlist. Tiers 1, 2, 3 are the good, the bad, and the ugly of trafficking respectively.
One cannot overstate the plight of the trafficked women and children, and the blight that hangs over their lives. One feels thankful that one is not in their shoes. But it sometimes feels like these are just so many sticks to keep countries in line. A Chinese official said as much - on an episode in the special "China Series" which BBC recently broadcast.
And when will the US come up with a "Victims of Poverty Act"? The CIA describes Pakistan, for example, as an "impoverished" country. Why doesn't the US then say, "Pakistan is an impoverished country. Yet it is not taking care of its impoverished. It is spending millions and more on the latest military equipment (which incidentally it buys from us). We will NOT SELL THEM THE STUFF till they reduce poverty substantially". They could add, "So too their neighbour India. And WE WILL NOT SELL THEM THE STUFF TOO".
One cannot overstate the plight of the trafficked women and children, and the blight that hangs over their lives. One feels thankful that one is not in their shoes. But it sometimes feels like these are just so many sticks to keep countries in line. A Chinese official said as much - on an episode in the special "China Series" which BBC recently broadcast.
And when will the US come up with a "Victims of Poverty Act"? The CIA describes Pakistan, for example, as an "impoverished" country. Why doesn't the US then say, "Pakistan is an impoverished country. Yet it is not taking care of its impoverished. It is spending millions and more on the latest military equipment (which incidentally it buys from us). We will NOT SELL THEM THE STUFF till they reduce poverty substantially". They could add, "So too their neighbour India. And WE WILL NOT SELL THEM THE STUFF TOO".
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