Human trafficking on the rise

Reported cases up by 150 per cent as compared to last year

Sujata Awale

Kathmandu

After the massive 2015 earthquake, various reports confirm that human trafficking rate has gone up. As per the data provided by Nepal Police Headquarters, human trafficking in the first month of this fiscal (mid-July to mid-August) was up by 150 per cent when compared
to the same month of fiscal year 2015-16. In the fiscal year 2015-16, a total of 212 cases were reported which was 16 per cent higher when compared to the fiscal year 2014-15 that reported 181 cases. However, due to the lack of a systematic and centralised counter-trafficking database system in Nepal, the data presented cannot be termed as exact data.

Unlike other criminal acts, human trafficking faces technical difficulties. To determine if a crime has been committed, it needs victims to give witnesses. This is the main reason why stakeholders stated that it is difficult to ascertain the real scenario of human trafficking. Experiences from the 2010 Haiti earthquake also showed that vulnerability of trafficking of children and women is much higher after a disaster. According to a recent report from the National Human Rights Commission ‘Trafficking in Persons’, vulnerability to human trafficking has increased by 15 to 20 per cent for women and children.

LACK OF DATA

 

“There is no doubt that women and children are the most vulnerable groups for human trafficking after the earthquake owing to a drastic change in livelihood and poverty,” said Kamal Thapa Kshetri, Human Rights Officer at National Human Right Commission Office of the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons (NHRC-OSRT). Citing that human trafficking has increased, he said, “However, it is hard to say at what rate human trafficking is increasing. The problem of database is not only in Nepal but exists worldwide.” According to him, there lacks a central data system and the data varies according to organisations.

Talking about the pattern of human trafficking and destinations, Kshetri said, “Of late human trafficking of women and children from Nepal is growing to South Asian, middle east and African countries also besides India.”

According to him, women were even rescued from Sri Lanka, Kenya and Tanzania, among others.The latest US State Department 2016 Trafficking in Persons report stated that Nepal is a major source, transit and destination country for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking. It also said that Nepali men women and girls are subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour in Nepal, India, the Middle East, Asia, United States and Sub Saharan Africa in construction, mines, factories, domestic work, begging and the adult entertainment industry.

Till date, no reliable information has been generated on the magnitude of trafficking even
after the earthquake. The study on child trafficking conducted by ILO in 2001 estimated that 12,000 children are trafficked each year from Nepal. As very few cases are reported in Nepal, data on women and children who are victims of trafficking are limited and estimates are highly varied. “Districts of origin, poverty, unemployment, gender, age group, education, ethnicity and caste system are affecting factors that increase vulnerability to trafficking,” said Kshetri, adding, “These are the reason why women are mostly trafficked and missing children are reported high.” He further elaborated that the earthquake has invited sudden change in livelihood of the women and children resulting vulnerable situation.

PROBLEM GALORE

 

According to UNICEF, lack of reliable data regarding trafficking, caste and ethnicity-based discrimination, limited financial resources, insufficient labour market regulation and monitoring, absence of programmes to promote safe, legal migration and provision of services to people who wish to seek work legally within a country are contributing factors for trafficking.

Photos: Sanu Maharjan/ THT

It is a universal truth that after disaster or conflicts people became so vulnerable that they can be easily convinced and trafficked to metropolitan cities or migration for better livelihood. “After a big crisis, people are vulnerable and desperate for survival support. And in this most vulnerable time, anyone can take advantage,” said Reseacher for women and conflict issues Shiva K Dhungana. Citing that due to the government’s negligence human trafficking has increased, he said, “The earthquake hit while the country was reeling under political crisis or in political transition. The government had not been able to develop preparedness for such a sensitive issue like human trafficking.” He blames the government for the sad situation and said, “The government is too busy with political agenda that so reconstruction and rehabilitation of the earthquake victims is not prioritised.”

Moreover, Dhungana said that there are still loopholes in the security system in Nepal. “Due to open border, it is easy for traffickers to cross the border. In this case, Nepal Police should be more alert and increase security checking at border areas.” He is of the opinion that trafficking cases will naturally drop if the government initiates work on reconstruction and implements plans to upgrade the life of earthquake victims.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM

 

Effective law enforcement against traffickers is a major deterrent to trafficking and Nepal Police plays vital role in minimising human trafficking. The government’s preparedness and prioritising reconstruction work will create better livelihood and also decrease the vulnerability of people living in poverty after the disaster. “Nepal Police is working at optimum level to control human trafficking,” said Sarbendra Khanal, Senior Superintendent of Police at the Metropolitan Crime Division of Nepal Police. Informing that they were successful in breaking a network of human traffickers from Delhi and the US, he said, “This crackdown has been successful and surely demoralise other traffickers.”

He further said, “We are aware of probable trafficking cases on the rise, we have increased surveillance, vigilance and even started stringent action in border areas, major bus parks, check points and airports.” For easy access to police, Nepal Police also operates a victim support unit hotline number 1177 for the public who can complain about any suspicious activities. Moreover, it has also made the phone number 4269741 available for victims to call from abroad. “Till now we have rescued 600 women from different countries and we are doing our best to crack down on human trafficking,” he added.

Khanal does not agree with how the international media, INGOs and NGOs create a picture of human trafficking issues. Stating that human trafficking issues are different from other crimes, he said, “In such case, we need victims to come forward and give witness how they were taken. Otherwise, police can’t intervene on migrating workers as it falls on their right to travel freely for better economic opportunities abroad,” he added.

He is of the opinion that public awareness is vital to minimise human trafficking. According to him, Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot, Dhading are the most vulnerable districts for human trafficking as these are highly affected districts after the earthquake.

“It is true that the number of cases of human trafficking reported is increasing more than before especially from the metros,” said Madhav Prasad Joshi, Spokesperson of Nepal Police Headquarters. Admitting that there are still loopholes in the security system, he said, “However, Nepal Police is not the only one responsible for the control mechanism. It takes equal effort and fulfilling of responsibilities by the government, NGOs, INGOs and citizens.”

According to him, there is a lack of awareness among people and they themselves consciously or unconsciously get trafficked lying to police and not giving the right information when police intervene. Nepal Police reported that 1,851 people (413 boys, 437 girls, 825 women and 176 men) were intercepted from potential trafficking between April 2015 to March 2016.

Published on The Himalayan Times, Perspectives on September 25, 2016
 
http://epaper.thehimalayantimes.com/ 

The huge disconnect

Delay in construction of transmission lines by NEA leads to losses for everyone

Sujata Awale
Kathmandu
Despite long hours of power cuts even in wet season, electricity generated by two cascade projects — 4.34 MW Tungun Thosne and 2 MW Khani Khola hydropower project is wasted due to lack of connection to the grid. Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has not been able to construct the Matatirtha-Malta 33 kV transmission line project due to problems with contractors. Khani Khola Hydropower Public Limited (KKHPL) — developer of these projects, is forced to bear a loss of Rs 730,368 per day. And electricity that would be sufficient to fulfill the demand for a district is wasted.

This is just one example, there are many such projects whose construction is almost in the final stage but transmission line projects to connect them to the national grid are far behind. According to Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN), IPPs have projects totaling at least 100 MW capacity to be completed in this fiscal 2016-17. Due to delays in transmission line projects, projects close to completion seem that they will also face the same fate.

 

LACKING CONNECTION

Developers are suffering a significant loss as the produced power cannot be evacuated to the national grid. On the other hand, NEA has to pay a penalty to the developers as per the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Moreover, the country suffers prolonged power cuts even after projects being completed.
“We have invested Rs 1.10 billion to construct these projects and now when they have been completed, there is no transmission line to evacuate generated power,” said Bijay Man Sherchan, Chairman of KKHPL. Citing that there is a clause to get five per cent penalty in PPA, he said, “The penalty that the NEA pays is not even sufficient for paying back our interest rate. If this is the situation, developers will not invest in the hydropower sector.”Informing that no work at all has been carried out for the 33 kV transmission line so far, Sherchan said, “NEA awarded the project work to contractor Tripureshwor Jaya Durge who has 10 different similar projects. They have not been able to complete a single project.” He further said that NEA’s lack of proper monitoring, keeping contractors in the loop and holding them responsible for completion of projects on time has resulted in costly delays. According to him, no work on transmission tower erection has been done till now.

 

POOR PERFORMANCE

As a contingency plan, NEA plans to evacuate power through the 11 kV transmission line for the project. However, even that will take time. “As per NEA, they will take 45 days more to complete this 11 kV transmission line, and till then we have no option but to wait and watch,” he said in disappointment. He stated that there is a sufficient fund to develop domestic hydropower projects but the government needs to be more responsible.
“A total of at least 100 MW projects will be completed in this fiscal. If NEA cannot complete the transmission line projects on time, NEA has to pay a huge penalty as per the PPA to developers,” said Kumar Pandey, General Secretary of IPPAN. He said, “Developers initiate their projects only when the government commits to complete their part of the project on time. Not fulfilling these commitment shows how irresponsible NEA is. This is not acceptable from a public entity.” He said that developers suffer the most as they invest huge capital acquiring loans. According to him, developers of projects totaling 700 MW are waiting for the commitment of NEA to construct transmission lines before starting.

 

ALL TALK

Stakeholders stated that problems of land acquisition, right of way issues, forestry clearance, snail paced bureaucratic process, contradictory policies, irresponsible contractors and time consuming process are to blame for delayed transmission line projects. “In the case of the Matatirtha-Malta transmission line project, we have already completed the substation but we are facing difficulties in erecting towers due to contractors,” said Kanhaiya Manandhar, Chief of Directorate of Transmission Line at NEA.
Hewa Khola 15 MW project and Upper Marsyandi 50 MW project are near to completion. He said, “We have a contingency plan for Hewa Khola project which will be completed on time to evacuate power. We have almost completed Bhulbhule transmission line to connect Upper Marsyandi project.”
Manandhar informed that the government has made good ground policy to develop transmission line projects in the concept paper ‘National Energy Crisis Mitigation and Electricity Development Decade 2072’. “On the basis of this paper, the government has formed the ‘Infrastructure Development Projects Monitoring and Direction High Level Committee’. This committee will solve the issues related to important development projects,” he informed.
He further said that they are working on a master plan to have cross border connectivity with India. “We have solved the issues of right-of-way and forestry for the 220 kV Khimti-Dhalkebar (75 km) transmission line project via fast track system. Other pending transmission line projects such as Hetauda-Syuchatar and Kusma have also been solved,” he explained. According to him, they have plans to complete 500 km transmission line projects by the end of this fiscal year.

 

BIG PLANS 

 

While Manandhar is optimistic about the smooth work environment at these projects, developers stated that it is not the actual situation and there are challenges to implementation.In Dordi Corridor alone, 112 MW total power projects are under construction and their commercial operation date (COD) is within three years. But the interesting thing is that NEA is still working on the initial environmental examination (IEE) of the project. If this transmission line is not completed on time, Upper Dorje I 25 MW and Upper Dorje 27 MW will not be able to evacuate energy to the national grid and NEA will have to pay the penalty to developers.
The Upper Marsyandi project has COD in few months. However, the 220 kV Marsyandi Corridor Transmission Line Project still waits for approval from the Ministry of Energy (MoE) for terms of reference (ToR). “We have completed the survey design and initiated the Environment Impact Assessment for the project to be fast tracked,” said Chirantan Rana, Project Manager at Marsyandi Corridor 220 kV Transmission Line Project. He informed that they broke the license into two sections, the Manang- Udipur (46 km) and Udipur-Bharatpur (69 km). Agreeing that they are behind schedule, he said, “As soon as we get approval for ToR, we will take out the tender of IEE for the project. Our target was to complete the project in 2019 but it seems it will be completed only in 2020.” The 115 km long transmission line project will have the capacity to evacuate 1,600 MW from Ilam to Bharatpur. According to him, the total project cost of USD 95 million will be funded by the European Investment Bank.

PRETTY ON PAPER

On the National Energy Crisis Mitigation plan, Rana said, “It is a brilliant document that addresses hurdles of transmission line development such as right-of-way issues, forestry clearance, local obstruction, land acquisition, et cetera. However, the main challenges emerge in the implementation part.” He further said, “If only the government can turn the concept paper into directives and act, only then it can be implemented smoothly.”
Likewise, in the Solu Corridor total 217.5 MW projects are in the construction phase, however, the 132 kV transmission line project is still waiting for forestry clearance. Solu (23.5 MW) and Lower Solu (82 MW) are already in construction. “It seems that Solu will be completed four months before the completion of the transmission project in 2018,” said Janardhan Gautam, Project Manager at Solu Corridor 132 kV Transmission Line Project, adding that they are working on the project to be completed on time. He emphasises on the need to select technical and competent bidders rather than just the lowest bidder. “A year was wasted on the issue of selecting more technical bidders than the lowest bidder. Everyone should be aware of this,” he said.

Published on The Himalayan Times, Perspectives, September 4, 2016