Trafficking in persons (TIP) has taken a new dimension in the country with even males being trafficked for sexual and labor exploitation, states a report of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). 

The national report (2009-10) of NHRC released on Saturday shows that this new development is the outcome of socio-economic and political changes in the country. 

According to the report, an estimated 5,210 women and children were trafficking or attempted trafficking victims in the fiscal year 2009-10. Of them, 1,609 were intercepted from border points while 207 were rescued within the country.

Similarly, 112 were repatriated from Gulf countries and India. According to the report, 2,917 complaints were received for missing women and children across the country. 

The report shows that half of the trafficking survivors fall between the ages of 17 and 24 while children under 17 make up more than one third of the victims. 

“An overwhelming majority of trafficking survivors are from agriculture sector,” reads the report. A majority of those vulnerable to trafficking are from the Janajati (60%) and Dalit (10%) communities. 

According to the report, altogether 2,186 children were missing across the country. The report suggests that more girls over boys are vulnerable to trafficking for sexual exploitation. 

The report states that the key challenges in combating TIP are open border, political protection, impunity and lack of effective security at the border points.

“The challenges in the regulation of foreign labor migration and promotion and protection of the rights of the migrants, especially women, are including establishing the effective system of verifying the passport and visa to Nepalese workers who fly from India, and decentralization of foreign labor management system,” states the report.

Published on: 11 December 2011 | Republica