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KATHMANDU, JUN 28 – The government of Nepal has continued to improve efforts to combat human trafficking despite limited resources, according to the 11th US Annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report.
However, the report released by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, says the country has not fully complied with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.
According to a statement issued by Public Affairs Section at the US Embassy in Kathmandu, the report has cited the lack of proactive victim identification a persistent serious problem despite the establishment of Central Crime Investigation Bureau’s special unit to investigate trafficking.
Releasing the report on Monday in Washington, DC, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recognised ten TIP Heroes from around the world for their efforts in combating human trafficking.
Among the TIP Heroes was Nepal’s own Charimaya Tamang, who Secretary Clinton recognised for her efforts to protect the rights of trafficking survivors with her work for Nepali NGO Shakti Samuha, and as a member of Nepal’s National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking. Ms. Tamang, who is profiled in this year’s TIP Report, was present in Washington to receive the recognition.
With the objective to improve Nepal’s anti-trafficking efforts, the TIP report has recommended the government to increase law enforcement efforts against all types of trafficking and against government officials who are found to be complicit in trafficking, establish a formal procedure to identity victims of trafficking and refer them to protection services and promote legal awareness programmes to potential victims and government officials.
United States law requires the U.S. Department of State to issue the Trafficking in Persons Report annually with the goal of stimulating action and creating partnerships around the world in the fight against modern-day slavery.
The U.S. government supports various initiatives to combat human trafficking in Nepal, including a five-year project funded by USAID that will strengthen protection services for TIP survivors; build capacity of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce legal measures and increase prosecution of TIP-related cases, and prevent trafficking by building awareness among groups that are vulnerable to sex and labor trafficking, and welcomes its continued partnership with the Government of Nepal and other concerned organizations in this important endeavor.
