On the eve of the 7th National Day Against Human Trafficking, the government on Wednesday said there is no integrated data on the number of Nepalis trafficked every year. It, however, vowed to remedy that by implementing the National Plan of Action against Women and Children Trafficking, 2010, by the next six months.

The most often cited number of women and children trafficked out of Nepal every year is 12,000, based on a 2012 report published by the National Human Rights Commission. The number, however, is not accurate, because it is based on data available with non-government organisations which often do not cross-check with each other for repetition,” said Upendra Prasad Adhikary, spokesman for the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, at an interaction here.

“Data provided by courts are also not reflective of the severity of human trafficking,” Adhikary added. According to a report published by the Attorney General’s office in 2011/2012, a total of 288 human trafficking cases were filed in district courts that fiscal year.

One of the objectives of the national plan is to establish better coordination among the government, the private sector and the civil society involved in the fight against human trafficking. Once the implementation plan is drafted, roles and responsibilities will be clearly demarcated, Adhikary said.

The Ministry is organising a rally on Thursday from the City Hall to commemorate the national anti-human trafficking day.

Published on: 5 September 2013 | The Kathmandu Post