`Ropes in their hands`, a documentary film on the plight of Nepalese girls trafficked to Indian circus companies prepared by Global March partner Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) has been invited for screening at the prestigious `New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NVIIFVF)in April.

The documentary encapsulates the moving tales of girls of the 10-14 age group brought to India from Nepal on the false pretext of providing them quality education and a career in gymnastics. The documentary was conceived after BBA’s last major raid and rescue operation in June 2004 that saw the release of 12 Nepalese girls from the Great Roman circus.

The rescue operation, captured by the national media, was not without risk. The Chairperson of BBA, Mr. Kailash Satyarthi and his colleagues were first threatened and then brutally attacked by the circus owner and his cronies. The incident created a nationwide furor however to this date no legal proceedings have been started against those involved. In January 2005, a written complaint was filed with the National Human Rights Commission regarding this matter. The legal actions initiated by the BBA only bore fruit when a regional judicial body declared circus to be a hazardous occupation.

The screenings of the documentary at the Festival will give wider coverage to the heinous crime of child trafficking, which is recognized by the ILO Convention 182 as one of the worst forms of child labour. Being projected on such a large platform, the documentary will also help garner more support for BBA’s work to end child exploitation in all forms.

As the organization celebrates its 25th year in existence, the invitation to the NYIIFVF, is an acknowledgement of BBA’s unwavering commitment to the cause of ending child labour.