§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what report he has received from the Indian organisation, Volunteers for Social Justice, regarding bonded labourers in Punjab State who have registered their cases in 1999 or before, but have not been released. [153121]
§ Mr. WilsonWe understand that, as of 19 August 2000, 698 bonded labourers had registered cases at the Punjab Human Rights Commission or the Punjab and Haryana Court. Of these cases almost all had been filed in 1999 or before. We share the concern of Volunteers for Social Justice over the situation of bonded labourers in India. We continue to monitor the issue closely.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received regarding threats and attacks against human rights activists working to protect and release bonded labourers in India and Pakistan. [153120]
§ Mr. WilsonWe are aware of reports of harassment of the bonded labour activist and General Secretary of Volunteers for Social Justice, Jai Singh, in Punjab, India. Officials in our High Commission in New Delhi are looking into this incident. We are not aware of similar incidents in Pakistan. The Indian authorities are well aware of our commitment to human rights and the importance of investigating abuses. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people have been charged and prosecuted, and what sentences have been given, in India and Pakistan under their Bonded Labour Scheme (Abolition) Acts. [153119]
§ Mr. WilsonIt will take some time to collate the information requested by my hon. Friend I will write to him once it is available and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.