KATHMANDU: National Assembly lawmakers have stressed the need for ratifying the protocols to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
Speaking in a discussion program on the Convention Vice-Chair of the National Assembly, Sashikala Dahal said the three protocols to the Convention should be ratified to bring under legal action the people involved in human trafficking.
She added that human trafficking was like modern-day slavery.
“Although the antiquated bonded labor practices like Haliya, Kamaiya and Kamlari have been abolished and outlawed, the vestiges of the same still remain in society, ” she said,
The Upper House vice-chairperson on the occasion cited the Nepal Police data which showed 546 complaints related to human trafficking were registered with the police in the fiscal year 2017/18.
Anyone convicted in the human trafficking case faces 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 500,000. However, the accused persons are let scot-free due to several loopholes in the legal process, she lamented.
Lawmaker Radheshyam Adhikari opined the only ratification of the protocols would not be enough to address the problem and therefore cases of human trafficking should be constantly followed and legal action implemented.
Lawmaker Anita Devkota said since women and children are victimized the most from human trafficking, prompt and strict action should be taken against the culprits.
Upper House member Binda Devi Rana drew the attention of the government, parliament and society towards the increasing incidents of women and children trafficking in the country.
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