Law on human trafficking crimes to be amended

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, July 31: Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has said that the Ministry will take an initiative to amend the law to set a three-month timeframe for the investigation of human trafficking crimes.

Speaking at a function organised by the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau of Nepal Police on the occasion of International Day Against Human Trafficking in Lalitpur on Tuesday, Home Minister Lekhak said the existing legal provision of just 25 days of investigation time duration in human trafficking crime was not sufficient to investigate, prepare a case file and take it to the court.  

“The existing law needs to be amended to set a three-month timeframe for the investigation of human trafficking crimes,” said Home Minister Lekhak.

On the occasion, he further said, “Human trafficking is a crime that has spread internationally. Its adverse effects have already expanded worldwide. We must approach it as a common problem. The fight against human trafficking should be ruthless.”

The Ministry is committed to providing full support to Nepal Police in the fight against human trafficking, he said. 

He also said that not only the police but everyone must participate in this fight and necessary to spread public awareness among citizens. 

“The police cannot reach everyone’s home. The local authorities should also work against human trafficking,” he said. 

Similarly, Home Secretary Eaknarayan Aryal said that the crime of human trafficking had become a challenge for Nepal.

The police have started actions to control human trafficking under the guise of visit visas, he said. 

The support of all 753 local governments is necessary for the campaign against human trafficking, he stressed. 

Secretary Aryal requested the public to provide information to the Human Trafficking Bureau or police nearby their local level. Campaign against human trafficking should be run for 365 days round the year, he said.