Over a million at risk of human trafficking

Nearly 1.5 million Nepali women, men and children are at risk of various forms of human trafficking, according to new report by the National Human Rights Commission.

Those looking to work overseas, those already working abroad, people in the adult entertainment sector, girls and women from rural areas, missing persons and child labourers are among the groups most vulnerable to trafficking, the study found.

The annual report on human trafficking prepared by the Commission estimated that nearly 35,000 Nepali citizens – 15,000 men, 15,000 women and 5,000 children – were trafficked last year.

Foreign employment and child labour made up nearly 70 per cent of the total trafficked population, followed by women and girls in the entertainment sector and those reported missing.

The report stated that nearly 1,000 Nepali women and girls are rescued from India each year, where they are trafficked for the sex trade, forced labour, to work as housemaids or as a transit hub for another country.

Poor screening at the border between Nepal and India, and a lack of formal mechanisms in both countries to address the issue, continues to make cross-border trafficking a major challenge, according to NHRC Commissioner Mohana Ansari.

"Despite various efforts, the vulnerability of our citizens to human trafficking and transportation has not come down significantly," she said.

Commissioner Ansari noted that Nepalis are also being trafficked beyond India, with several cases of Nepali women and girls trafficked to China and several African countries.

The report highlighted the fact that missing children and adults commonly end up as victims of trafficking.

According to Nepal Police, 13,678 people went missing last year and less than half (47 per cent) were found, indicating that many of those still missing may have been trafficked.

The NHRC report found that nearly 20 per cent of workers in the hospitality and entertainment sectors were victims of human trafficking, while 46 per cent were victims of forced labour inside the country.

Despite the rampant cases of human trafficking, the number of formal complaints filed has remained comparatively low, Commissioner Ansari said.

According to Nepal Police, only 200 to 300 human trafficking cases are registered annually across the country.

Date: National Human Rights Commission of Nepal / Kathmandu Post

Date: 7 August 2019