Kathmandu: Prime Minister Balen Shah has said that effective coordination and cooperation among the federal, provincial and local governments, along with all concerned stakeholders, are essential to build a society free from human trafficking and smuggling.
In a message issued on the occasion of the 20th National Day Against Human Trafficking, Prime Minister Shah described human trafficking as a stain on human civilization and said that it has been spreading across the world as an organized crime.
This year’s National Day is being observed with the slogan, “Proper Use of Technology and Awareness: Solidarity for Building a Nation Free from Human Trafficking.” Prime Minister Shah said that with the rapid development of technology, the trends, nature, forms and destinations of human trafficking and smuggling are also changing.
Prime Minister Shah said that the Government of Nepal has been carrying out policy and institutional reforms in line with its national and international commitments to prevent and control human trafficking and smuggling. He said various initiatives are being implemented through coordination and cooperation among the federal, provincial and local governments and other concerned stakeholders.
According to Prime Minister Shah, a bill to amend the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, 2064 in line with the Palermo Protocol has been registered in Parliament. The proposed legal reform is expected to strengthen cooperation and coordination among states for the protection of the human rights of victims of human trafficking and transportation at the international level.
Prime Minister Shah also said that the National Policy Against Human Trafficking has been issued and brought into implementation as part of efforts to make existing legal and institutional mechanisms more effective in line with Nepal’s federal structure.
Stressing that the efforts of the federal government alone are not sufficient to effectively combat human trafficking, Prime Minister Shah said cooperation among provincial and local governments, national and international non-governmental organizations, development partners and other stakeholders is equally important.
Emphasizing the need for collective action against human trafficking, Prime Minister Shah said, “Only through our shared initiatives and joint efforts can we build a society free from human trafficking.”
Prime Minister Shah expressed his gratitude to all those who have continued to support, coordinate and cooperate with the government’s campaign against human trafficking and transportation. He also called for continued support, cooperation and solidarity to help strengthen the government’s commitment to combating human trafficking in the days ahead.
