Activists against child labour threatened with weapons

They wanted to save 20 children from forced labour in the circus

Chennai (AsiaNews) – Employees of a circus in northern India that uses Nepalese children in its performances attacked some activists with guns and iron bars. The latter were trying to free about 20 young "prisoners" who were subjected to daily violence and abuses at the Uttar Pradesh Circus.  

They were not alone. Along had come the parents of some of the children as well as the police and government representatives. Yet, despite the show of force, one of the circus managers pointed a gun at Kailash Satyarthi, president of the non-governmental organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA or Save the Children) and threatened to shoot him if he tried to remove even one child.

 According to Mr Satyarthi, "the violent behaviour of those in charge of the circus in the presence of the authorities shows the collusion between the two parties". As a result of the assault with iron bars Mr Satyarthi a head injury and a broken leg.

"If you still intend to pursue this cause, you can only expect more of the same". According to a journalist who witnessed the confrontation this was the reaction of the public official in charge of the police squad involved. An anti-child labour activist stated that "circus owners pay off local officials to avoid any action against the illegal use of children in the circus".

Neeta, who was saved because her mother recognised her during a performance, said that the managers sexually abuse most of the girls. According to England's EBT (Esther Benjamins Trust) and the BBA more than 500 Nepalese children are held captive in 30 Indian circuses. The two NGOs have adopted a common programme and expect to have all the children freed and repatriated by 2007. In the meantime, BBA activists have already saved 42 children who had been working in 4 Indian circuses. The children have been reunited with their families and are in the care of the EBT Rehabilitation Centre in Nepal.

• india
• nepal
• child
• labour
• human
• rights
• prisoners
• abuses