Day 1 Highlights: Workshop on Access to Justice for Survivors of Human Trafficking
Today marked the commencement of a vital two-day workshop dedicated to addressing the critical issue of human trafficking. The event saw a distinguished panel of guests, with the Attorney General Hon. Dr. Dinamani Pokharel from the Office of the Attorney General Nepal serving as the Chief Guest. His opening statement emphasized the indispensable role of justice in the lives of survivors, setting the tone for the workshop’s significance.
Joining the workshop as Special Guests were Supreme Court Registrar Mr. Narayan Panthee, Nepal Police DIG Surendra Mainali, and Dr. Tek Bahadur Ghimire, all representing the Office of the Attorney General Nepal. Each shared valuable insights, emphasizing their commitment to combating human trafficking and ensuring justice for survivors.
Event Chairperson Mr. Bishworam Khadka, Executive Director of Maiti Nepal, steered the discussions, stating, “Empowering survivors is at the core of our mission, and this workshop is a significant step towards creating a more just society.”
Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Pangeni from the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau provided a comprehensive presentation on investigating cases related to human trafficking and transportation. The discussions covered various crucial points, including the legal system surrounding human trafficking, cross-border challenges, case investigation intricacies, case studies, efforts to combat challenges, and suggestions for the way forward.
A key highlight of the day was the discourse on law enforcement tools, specifically the need for special surveillance wings within Nepal Police and the effectiveness of the Digital Forensic Lab. These tools serve as crucial assets in the ongoing battle against human trafficking.
Deputy Attorney General Dr. Tek Bahadur Ghimire underscored the necessity for policy reforms to address the evolving forms of human trafficking. He highlighted the importance of an inter-agency data access system for systematically analyzing data to formulate effective policies in the fight against human trafficking.