How can we help facilitate dialogue between policy makers and civil society on human trafficking and migrant smuggling?

                                                                                                                                                                                

Kathmandu/30 June 2017-Since the official launch of GLO.ACT in March 2017, consultative meetings with government authorities and civil society have been held in Nepal to develop and implement comprehensive national counter-trafficking and counter-smuggling responses and to strengthen capacities to efficiently address these crimes and the inter-linkages between them. 

Against this background, GLO.ACT has facilitated a meeting between policy makers and civil society representatives to address Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) in Nepal on the 28-29 July. Establishing such a platform was one of the recommended made by stakeholders during the gaps and needs assessment, for better collaboration and cooperation between the policy makers and civil society organizations.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Kedar Neupane, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted the need of better coordination and strengthened efforts within and outside of Nepal's borders, to fight this heinous crime. 

The main objectives and deliverables of the forum of exchange were to:

  • Highlight the up-coming work under GLO.ACT in addressing TIP and SOM;
  • Facilitate a dialogue and information exchange between policy makers and CSOs;
  • Raise awareness and share information on trends and different forms of trafficking;
  • Share insights and knowledge on available legal instruments such as conventions and associated protocols in combatting TIP and SOM;
  • Agree a roadmap for implementation of activities.

The forum of exchange brought together representatives from multiple ministries such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Women, Children and sCocial Welfare, the Attorney General's Office, the Foreign Employment Promotion board, the police, the armed police force and civil society  organisations such Action Against Trafficking , Maiti Nepal and SAATHI .

During the meeting, Ms. Charimaya Tamang, Programme Coordinator at  Shakti Samuha, one of the first NGOs in the world established and run by survivors of human trafficking, highlighted the need for standard operating procedures with regards to the rescue and repatriation of victims. She also mentioned, that it is important to monitor children homes and holding them accountable to the standards of victim care and protection.

Concluding the two-day forum, the participants emphasized the need for improved conceptual clarity on SOM, and a situational analysis of the nature and problem in Nepal, with respect to both, regular and irregular migrants.  Upon conclusion of the forum, participants said that this type of consultation is very useful in terms of outlining next steps as well as enabling all participants to share their experiences and discuss best practices. They also said that they want UNODC and other GLO.ACT partners to take a strong lead, especially in helping establish and obtain standard operating procedures and relevant protocols from the government.