Kathmandu: Expressing concern over the changing form of human trafficking, stakeholders called for greater public awareness in society to curb the scourge and strict legal measures to combat it.
In an event organized by the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau, Nepal Police, in collaboration with Anahat Nepal and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), stakeholders on Tuesday highlighted the need to effectively combat both the internal and transnational nature of trafficking.
Internally, the adult entertainment sector has been established as a hub of trafficking, while international trafficking has emerged in the guise of visit visa, stakeholders said.
In the event organized to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Ramesh Lekhak, Minister for Home Affairs said that the existing law will be amended to change the provision of a time limit of months for the investigation of crimes related to human trafficking.
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“We have a realization that the investigation of any organized crime of a complex nature may not be completed within 25 days. Realizing the seriousness of the issue, we are all set to amend the law and increase the investigation period to three months,” he said.
Home Minister Lekhak also called for a meaningful collaboration among stakeholders to effectively combat the problem of human trafficking.
Of late, many Nepalis have been reportedly trafficked to countries like India, China, Middle East Asia, South East Asia, Europe, and the United States. Such cases of Nepali citizens falling into the clutches of human traffickers under the guise of employment have had a deep impact in the society, participants said.
Om Bahadur Rana, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Chief at Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau, ensured that police investigate the cases of human trafficking seriously and punish the guilty. “Prevention of human trafficking is our top priority and we are working hard to achieve success in this regard,” he added.
“The nature of human trafficking has changed over the years,” said Raksya Ojha, executive director of Anahata Nepal. “It is high time we start looking into the trafficking happening within the country where Kathmandu is emerging as a hub.”
[Related: Uncovering Nepali-Chinese trafficking nexus that traps Nepali youths in dark web]
In the event, various measures for control, regulation, and prevention of human trafficking were also discussed. Reiterating the government’s commitment against this serious crime, the Home Minister said that joint efforts of all parties are necessary to control it.
More than 300 stakeholders including students, civil society representatives, government officials, and other participants were present in the program.
Every year, the 30th of July is marked as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This year, the day is being observed under the theme “Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking”.
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