US concerned over trafficking situation in India

Washington, Nov 6:The US has expressed concern over the trafficking situation in India, saying the country failed to fully comply with minimum standards with the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to achieve it.

"We do have serious concerns about the trafficking situation in India. We absolutely share your concern on such appalling stories that we unfortunately hear coming out of India," Kari Johnstone, Principal Deputy Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons in the State Department told lawmakers.

"India does not fully comply with the minimum standards with the elimination of trafficking but it is making significant efforts to do so in our assessment," Johnstone said in response to a question from a Congressman.

Last year, he said, the Indian government continued to fund shelter and rehabilitation services for women and children throughout the country. "We continue to be troubled that victims were sometimes penalized through arrest for crimes committed as the results of being subjective to human trafficking," Johnstone said.

"And then many anti-human trafficking units which is with other agencies and refer victims to shelters were not functioning. NGOs assess to the government victim care services were inconsistent and inadequate for the skill of India's trafficking problem. "We therefore remain concerned about the series human trafficking situation in India" the US official said.

PTI