HALF AN-HOUR DISCUSSION
Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries
[Translation]
SHRI RABI RAY (Kendrapada): Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to speak on the issue raised in connection with the reply given by the hon. Minister of State on 29th July, 1992 is response to Stared Question No. 307 regarding smuggling of children to Arab Countries.
I think that this question is more serious than the questions raised earlier in the House in respect of Industry and Commerce. I would also like to make a mention as to how there was a need of holding a Half an Hour discussion on this question. It is important for the House to know about it.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, a question
506 Half an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries was raised in the House on the 29th instant which is as follows: (a) whether the Government are aware that a large number of children are smuggled from India to Dubai for camel races;
(b) whether the Government have recently arrested certain persons at Delhi Airport in this connection;
(c) If so, facts and the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken to prevent smuggling of children to Arab countries?
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the chair on which you are sitting now was adorned by the hon. Speaker when this question was asked. The reply was being given by the hon. Minister of Labour. The hon. Prime Minister was present at that time. When the hon. Minister of Labour was giving the reply it was felt in the House that they way in which he was giving the reply was not proper. I express my thanks to the hon. Prime Minister who himself rose to submit to the hon. Speaker that the question would not be replied in that manner because it is concerned with the Minister of External Affairs. He made a request that it should be postponed for a detailed discussion in the House in future. This Half and Hour discussion has came in that context. It is good that my hon. friend, the Minister of State, Shri Bhatia is present here to give a reply.
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, what is the fact? The fact is that certain persons were arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in connection with smuggling of children. This is how this question came before the House. Sir, every Indian is worried in this connection that children of the poor of this country who should have been sent to school and should have been free from all cares and anxieties are being snatched away from their parents to be smuggled to Dubai or to West Asia. I would not use the word Middle East because that will be a wrong use, I would simply say
507 Half an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries that these children are being sold to West Asia. Those children are sent to West Asia. On the basis of the information collected in this regard, I can say.
[English]
Camel racing is also most popular in the tiny Sheikhdom of Umar AI-Oayway in United Arab Emirates.
It is a practice in the West Asian countries to use children for a camel race. Traditionally, the children used to come from poor families of those countries. But after their economic development, these countries had started taking children from other countries like Sudan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and lately from India.
[Translation]
I repeat that the children are smuggled to Sudan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and presently those children are smuggled from India to the Arabian countries. The children who are taken from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sudan are meted out inhuman treatment.
[English]
They tie up the children on the back of the camel for the race.
It is the belief that when the children cry out of fear, the camel is provoked to run fast. The children usually do not last the length of the race. They die either of shock, fear or fall off the camel's back.
[Translation]
Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, you can guess that what type of treatment is being meted out to those children. The children smuggled out from our country, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sudan are being tied up with the camel's tail. When the child weeps, the camel is provoked and starts running, with the result, the child dies of shock and falls down but the people there enjoy this sport eagerly. This is the practice there, as it used to happen sometimes in the primitive age.
Mr. Deputy
508 Half an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries Speaker, this is a heart rendering question before us as to how the children of our country are smuggled there and how they are being killed mercilessly.
Whatever customs are in the United Arab Emirates or in other Republics there, that is their matter and we are not concerned with that but today the topic for discussion in the House is that even after making provision in our Constitution, how the children are smuggled out. The other question is whether there is such a provision or not, the Constitution experts should think about it. When such a provision exists then how these children are smuggled, this is the first question which I want to raise. How are they allowed to take out children from our country. There is a need to think over it seriously.
The hon. Members sitting here should think, as if that would have been their own child since all the children are equal and all of them have the same flesh and blood. Had that been our own child but I want to say that cannot be the child of a Member of Parliament or legislative assembly's since they are economically well to do. They are comparatively much resourceful than the poor. May be, the poor parents who have nothing to live on are sending their children there under compulsion, but those who are taken there are generally from the poor family. So, this is the question before us in this Parliament as to what should be our opinion what stand the House should take on this subject.
As I have already submitted that this is such a question, which is much more important than commerce and industry. This question is more important than any other discussion in the House. After all, how such things are allowed to be done in our country. On that day I had raised a question as to whether any steps is taken by our embassy in the Western Asia. Has it ever said that this practice is equal to the primitive age or any protest has been lodged by our embassy regarding this practice, the smugglers or businessmen who smuggle our children, but the hon. Minister did not give any reply on that day. I would like that the hon. Minister will
509 Half an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries seriously think over this issue and will give a reply
Mr. Deputy Speaker Sir, already there are such provisions in our Constitution but it is a matter of regret that even then how such things are taking place. Therefore, I want to know from the hon.
Minister before this House through this question as to what are the provisions in our Constitution since we come here after taking an oath of the Constitution. First of all we take an oath to be loyal to the Constitution and specially I am going to read out article 23, 24 and 26 of the Constitution:
[English]
Article 24 of the Constitution says:
"Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc. No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment".
Article 23 says:
"Prohibition of traffic in human being and forced labour (1) Traffic in human beings and beggar and other similar form so forced labour are prohibited and any contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law".
[Translation]
Mr. Deputy Speaker,, Sir, what happens in our country, you can see the picture of four children published in the Hindustan Times 2/3 days back. Their names are Shambhu Chero, 13 years old, Dahra Uraon, 15 years old, Sagun Ram, 10 years old and Vinod Mehta, 11 years old.
All these children used to work as bonded labourers. They have been released 4-5 days back.
About one lakh such children are working in the carpet industry in the Mirzapur and
510 Half an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries Bhadoi areas of Uttar Pradesh and the country is earning foreign exchange of rupees 600 crore from this industry. I will not touch that aspect. One and half lakhs children are working there as bonded labourers. These are the pictures of four children only. It means that only these are not sufferers there are crores of such people in the country. I have read out the provisions of the Constitution in this regard. I want to say that the age of the children taken for camel race is 4,5,6 or 7 years. Therefore, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to know from the able and hon, Minister Shri Bhatiaji that our Government was also one of the signatories to the declaration of the first ever world submmit on the right of the children in 1990, in which the Prime Ministers, Kings and head of States participated.
[English]
India is a signatory to that declaration on the rights of children.
[Translation]
There was a provision in the world summit of the children that our country will prepare the programme of child care and education.
[English]
India's National Plan of action emerged out of the World Summit on children has been approved by the Cabinet. This Plan has not yet been made public. What provisions does it contain on the issue of child abuse and exploitation? Will the Government share the information with this House?
[Translation]
This has been passed by the cabinet. I would like to know from the hon. Minister as to whether the World submmit on the rights of the children, 1990 will remain just on paper. Will the Government chalk out some solid programme in this regard?
This is such a big book I want to read just one sentence out of it on the Conventory of the Rights to the Child.
511 Half an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries [English]
State parties undertake to ensure child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians or other individuals legally responsible for him or her to this end shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures.
[Translation]
My submission is that it will be said by the External Affairs Ministry that they will put a check on it but the House will not be satisfied with it. When there is poverty in our country and we are not able to protect their rights and their children are being tgreated in such a way then how will it work.
As I have asked, hon. Bhatiaji should make it clear as to what steps the Central Government is going to take on the conclusions arrived at the world submmit on the rights of children held in 1990. I would again like to say the same thing about.
[English]
trafficking of children of Indian origin and trafficking of children of other nationalities through India.
[Translation]
What is to be done about the children of Bangladesh being taken to Arab countries through India.
[English]
What will be the stand of India at the Special SAARC Conference on Children in September and at the SAARC summit?
[Translation]
As per my information India has not yet ratified the provision made by the SAARC summit about children. I would like to know what the Indian Government is doing about this.
512 Half an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries Our neinghboring countries-Pakistan and nepal, are going ahead in implementing the provision made by the World summit in the rights of children but India has not given any material shape to the action plan except passing a motion only.
This is serious question. I would like to say that the honble minister should introspect and give reply to my question because it is not enough to say that the Government will stop smuggling of children.
Unless some concrete programme is made regarding the protection of constitutional rights of children, this will not be possible., These children hail from poor families If these children do not hail from poor families, no parents will send their children.
I hope that Bhatiaji will give an appropriate reply to all these questions.
[English]
SHRI SRIBALLAV PANIGRAHI (Deogarh): Mr. Deputy Speaker Sir, we are having this half-an hour discussion on a very serious matter. As you know, children are the most valuable property of the nation. In fact, they are the future of the nation, There may be a lot of talents in our children in a latent form. Under favourable circumstances, such talents blossom and flourish. If proper atmosphere is created for many of our neglected children, they may turn out to be reputed scientists, eminent, poets and so on. Nobody can say who is having what talent.
There is no doubt that this is a very very inhuman and uncivilised practice that is going on in some countries of West Asia. I do not want to take the name of any one country. Some people are enjoying watching these children in a helpless condition. As Shri Rabi Ray just now said, these children do not even know where they are going and for what they are going and some of them die most unnatural death. This is quite insulting to our country.
We are a very great country with a rich culture. We are pound of out past heritage. I would like to know from the hon. Minister what is the magnitude of this menace in our
513 Half an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries country.. Has any assessment been made in this regard? of late our country has also come under its threat., Whatever goes on outside,, if we want to have a control over it, we will have to make provision so that such unfortunate things do not occur, and India does not become a victim to it. In our country poverty is so deep rooted that in some cases these things are happening even with the consent of the parents.
What legislative steps have been taken in our country to tackle this problem?
The Prime Minister himself was present in the House on the 29th of last month when this matter was raised and he also expressed his grave concern over it. I would like to know whether any review has been done in this regard and whether there is anything wanting in our legislation. I think it is not a question of just having the laws. In many areas we have strict laws but when it comes to their implementation, much remains to be done, So, we should not only enact laws but see to it that tney are implemented in letter and spirit.
We are a great nation the leader of the third world country.
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Panigrahi ji, you have to finish your speech now.
SHRI SRIBALLAV PANIGRAHI: Sir, if the House agrees, we can sit for another 5 to 10 minutes, Sir, this is a very serious matter and I would like to have some clarifications.
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Shri Rabi Ray has covered almost all the points. You should speak only on some additional points on which you want to have the information.
SHRI SRIBALLAV PANIGRAHI: Sir, I am asking for some
clarifications. India is a great nation.
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is a question of time. Only half-an-hour is allotted for this discussion.
SHRI SRIBALLAV PANIGRAHI: India is playing a leading role. India is the leader of
514 Half-an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries the Third world. India's role in many areas has been laudable. Take the example of our role in South Africa. There are several international conferences and meets on human rights, child labour and so on. I want to know whether at any time, in any of the Conferences,, this problem had ever been discussed. Recently, the U.N. had clarified a year as International Year for the Children and also International Year for Women. I want to know whether this problem had ever been discussed. We have inherited a great legacy. We have been a leading country. We have raised our voice on the question of discrimination on the basis of colour, colonialism and so on. We have raised our voice to put an end to such things. Our role throughout was tremendous, laudable and admirable.
Now, I will come to the question of poverty. Poverty is the root cause for such kind of problems.
Regarding this incident I would like to mention that on 21st June, that is, after detection of this particular incident, two Bangladeshi gentlemen were caught and were arrested. I think, some touts or agents are there who are doing such kind of things. The persons who were arrested. I think, some touts or agents are there who are doing such kind of things. The persons who were arrested, they did not have any valid passport and so on. They were staying here without any valid document. After that, a guest house was raided and some incriminatory documents were found. So, I want to know whether in this particular area, the Government of India is considering any scheme. It is because, it is insulting, it involves our children - the children of poor families. Does it not affect our reputation? All sorts of efforts are needed from the Government's side to put an end to such happenings. This is an insulting, unhealthy and uncivilisd practice.
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Prof. Rawat; It is a Half-an-hour Discussion.
You just ask questions.
PROF. RASA SINGH RAWAT (Ajmer): It is already 6 'O' clock. Half- an-hour is already over. Shall I sit down without asking any questions?
515 Half an-Hour Discussion Smuggling of Children to Arab Countries SHRIMATI MALINI BHATTACHARAYA (Jadavpur): You will have to extend the time. It is because, the Minister has not answered.
MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have just brought it to your notice. The time at our disposal is very less. Prof. Rawat, I expect you to take it in a proper spirit.
[Translation]
PROF. RASA SINGH RAWAT: Hon'ble Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as has just been said, really children are the greatest wealth of any nation and it is a matter of shame for the nation from where the children are smuggled to other countries. It is immaterial whether we have friendly relations or not with those countries which are involved in this practice. We have very close cordial relations with the countries of the middle east. Lakhs of our people are engaged in employment in those countries, but it isthe most disgraceful for our country that a few people of those countries, on the strength of their money and power take the children from India for their recreation and entertainment. It may cause hindrances in our friendly relations.
Through you I would like to know from the honourable minister whether he has tried to stop this in-human practice by contracting the officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, Passport officers and concerned officials at the diplomatic level. Whether any contact has been established with the rulers or the diplomats of those countries and apprised of the position that the practice of smuggling of children has created a feeling of widespread resentment in India, The Indian people are very much agitated over this kind of entertainment in which the children are tied up on the back of the camels during the course of camel race? Have you given any information to the concerned countries or not in this regard?