NEPAL: TIP REPORT DEMARCHE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KATHMANDU 001373 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KCRM SOCI KPAO EAID IP NP SUBJECT: NEPAL: TIP REPORT DEMARCHE REF: STATE 78380 Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) In a series of meetings with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry for Women and Social Welfare (MWSW),and the Ministry of Labor and Transport, Emboff delivered talking points and the final text of Nepal's country narrative from the 2007 Trafficking in Person (TIP) Report. Emboff drew attention to the areas of improvement identified in the 2007 report. Each of the Government of Nepal (GON) officials expressed their concern with the persistence of trafficking in Nepal, but stressed that the problem was multi-faceted and based in larger socio-economic problems. The GON officials all emphasized that the open border with India, the absence of livelihood options for rural women, and the promise of lucrative employment abroad made it very difficult to combat TIP in Nepal. Emboff was informed that Parliament was expected to pass an "Anti-Trafficking Act" and a new "Foreign Employment Act" in its next session. The enactment of these laws would support the GON's efforts to combat trafficking. Emboff was also told that Parliament had been declared September 6 "Anti-Trafficking Day." Poverty Core Cause of TIP in Nepal -------------- ¶2. (U) In a June 12 meeting with Hira Bhadur Thapa, Joint Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),Emboff delivered SIPDIS the 2007 Trafficking in Person's (TIP) Report and noted Nepal's Tier 2 ranking for 2007. Thapa told Emboff that the GON was committed to fighting TIP, but stressed that one of the core causes of human trafficking was poverty and the GON could not, alone, address this problem. Emboff acknowledged that political instability and lack of resources hindered the GON's efforts, but emphasized that the GON needed to expand its efforts to combat TIP, including vigorously investigating and adequately punishing recruitment agencies and corrupt officials. Emboff also noted that the MFA could increase protection efforts for victims by assisting in their repatriation and adequately training government officials posted in destination countries. Lack of Options Makes Rural Women Vulnerable to TIP -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) In a July 5 meeting with Mahendra Prasad Shrestha, Director General for the Department of Women Development, Emboff highlighted the areas for improvement identified in the TIP Report. Shrestha told Emboff that he expected Parliament to pass much needed amendments to the anti-trafficking law during its next session. Shrestha stated that trafficking would continue to be difficult to control until there were options for employment and rehabilitation for rural girls. He noted that the GON was working on a new project for rural women in cooperation with the UN. The Director General also expressed his support for the women's police cell, but commented that without adequate resources the cell could not accomplish much. He explained that, because the money went through the Ministry of Home Affairs, very little ever reached the women's cell. He suggested that if the funding came directly through the Ministry for Women and Social Welfare, it would be better utilized. Shrestha also announced the GON had declared Bhadra 20 "Anti-Trafficking Day." (Note: This year Bhadra 20 coincides with September 6 in our calendar. End Note) Open Border with India Contributes to TIP -------------- ¶4. (U) In a July 13 meeting Bishnu Prasad Lamsal, Joint Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Transport, and SIPDIS Emboff discussed Nepal's expanding migrant labor force and the workers' vulnerability to trafficking. Emboff emphasized that the GON needed to expand its efforts to investigate and adequately punish recruitment agencies and employees believed to be involved in trafficking, as well as corrupt officials facilitating trafficking. Lamsal acknowledged that many of the "manpower" companies in Nepal were engaged in KATHMANDU 00001373 002 OF 002 trafficking, but stated that most of the illegal companies operated out of India, making it very difficult for the GON to regulate. The Secretary noted that there was a new "Foreign Employment Act" (FEA) in Parliament that, when passed, would provide increased protection for migrant laborers. In addition, the government had recently entered into labor agreements for the protection of Nepali workers in the United Arab Emirate and Malaysia. Lamsal added the new FEA would provide the necessary "legal basis" for the operation of the Ministry's "labor desk" at the international airport in Kathmandu. The desk provides information to migrant workers before they leave Nepal and, in the future, will facilitate a much needed "official" worker's registration system. The Secretary acknowledged that these efforts only address migrant workers leaving by air and emphasized that the open border with India remains the biggest challenge. Lamsal also told Emboff that the Ministry recognized the need for more public awareness programs and was working with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) on an education program for women migrant workers. Comment -------------- ¶5. (U) The GON and the political parties are well aware of Nepal's growing migrant labor force and the importance of remittances to Nepal's economy. However, the GON needs to increase its efforts to educate and protect those most vulnerable to trafficking on the potential dangers of working abroad. The 2007 TIP report gave us an excellent reason to remind officials to do more to combat this vicious practice. HUGINS