Arogya Times
Human trafficking is no longer confined to sexual exploitation or forced labour. Stakeholders have warned that the crime has evolved into more sophisticated forms, including egg trafficking, skin trafficking, technology-facilitated fraud, social media exploitation, and cross-border cyber scams, underscoring the need for Nepal’s anti-human trafficking law to be updated to address emerging challenges.
The concerns were raised during a stakeholder discussion organized by the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD) on the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Participants stressed that the proposed First Amendment Bill on Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) should reflect the changing nature of trafficking and the increasing role of digital technologies in facilitating exploitation.
Chairing the event, FWLD President Geeta Aryal highlighted the growing complexity of trafficking cases. Advocate Dechen Lama noted that significant gaps remain in trafficking data and warned that egg trafficking, skin trafficking, and other emerging forms of human trafficking are becoming increasingly evident. She urged lawmakers to ensure that the amended legislation explicitly addresses these evolving crimes.
Deputy Attorney General Somkanta Bhandari presented an overview of the current trafficking situation, outlining the changing patterns of trafficking, legal challenges, prosecution practices, and areas requiring reform. She said technological advancement has transformed the methods used by trafficking networks, demanding a stronger legal response.
Citing a study by Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission, speakers said around 35,000 people fall victim to human trafficking and smuggling each year. They warned that the misuse of visit visas, social media platforms, and digital technologies has exposed many Nepalis to trafficking, fraud, exploitation, and serious security risks.
FWLD Executive Director and advocate Sabin Shrestha said human trafficking has become increasingly intertwined with technology-enabled fraud. He noted that the recently adopted National Assembly resolution on technology-facilitated violence, along with the government’s proposed amendment bill on human trafficking, provides an important opportunity to strengthen Nepal’s legal framework against emerging forms of trafficking.
Social activist Anil Ranghubanshi said 35,000 Nepalis were lured into organized scams through deception and technology last year alone. He added that while such crimes originate from 77 countries worldwide, 74 percent are linked to Southeast Asia, involving financial crimes worth billions of dollars.
He further revealed that the number of Nepalis travelling to Cambodia rose dramatically from 101 in 2021 to 9,676 in 2025. Although 422 victims were rescued, only a small number of cases resulted in prosecution. According to him, many of the victims were information technology professionals recruited through fraudulent employment schemes.
Rajendra Prasad Adhikari, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, said the proposed amendment will also cover cross-border crimes. He said the legislation aims to provide clearer legal definitions of trafficking offences, establish a one-door legal assistance system, and strengthen the investigation and prosecution of transnational crimes.
Basanta Prasad Panthi, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security, said recent policy reforms have created a stronger foundation for legal improvements. He expressed confidence that the amended law would significantly enhance Nepal’s efforts to combat human trafficking.
Senior Superintendent of Police Rewati Raman Pokharel of the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau said the existing legal framework is not sufficiently investigation-friendly. He emphasized the need for clearer and more modern legislation to effectively investigate technology-driven trafficking cases, particularly those involving social media and digital platforms.
Social activist Nanimaya Thapa urged policymakers to move beyond viewing human trafficking solely as a form of sexual exploitation. She called for greater public awareness and recommended incorporating trafficking prevention and digital safety education into school curricula to help protect future generations from emerging forms of exploitation.
Arogya Times
