Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Stringent anti-trafficking law in offing

The government has registered an anti-trafficking bill at the Parliament Secretariat with an aim to check human trafficking.The Bill has made a stringent provision of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh for a trafficker. Clause 15 of the Bill states: “One who is found involved in buying or selling of human beings will be imprisoned for 20 years and fined up to Rs 1 lakh. Those found guilty of forcing anyone to take up prostitution shall be sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison and fined Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
”It also has a provision of 10-year jail term and a fine between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh for those found guilty of trading human parts. Those found guilty of forcing people to work against their will shall be imprisoned for three months to two years and fined Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.The Bill also has a provision to punish brothel visitors by slapping a jail term of one-three months and a fine of Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000.According to the Bill, those found guilty of taking women abroad for the purpose of prostitution shall be sentenced to 10 -15 years in prison and fined Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000. “If it involves a child, the culprit shall be sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison and fined Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh,” states Clause 15 of the Bill.
The Bill also has a provision to punish a culprit involved in transporting human beings for the purpose of exploitation, including prostitution, within the country. The accomplices of traffickers shall get half the punishment slapped on the main criminal.“If a trafficker happens to hold a public post, he/she shall be charged 25 per cent additional fine and shall spend 25 per cent more time in prison,” states Clause 15 (2).The Bill, however, protects a victim even if he/she injures or kills his/her tormentor in the course fleeing. The Bill states that a victim should be given 50 per cent of the fine slapped on a trafficker as compensation. Anyone who informs the authorities about the crime shall be entitled to 10 per cent of the fine.The Bill, which was registered at the Parliament Secretariat yesterday, will be tabled in the House soon.
mainwhile The government tabled Nepal Law Commission Bill in the House of Representatives on Monday. It aims to promulgate, review and amend laws in the country. The government has proposed that the NLC would be set up in Kathmandu valley. The proposed commission will be led by a retired justice of the Supreme Court with five other members. The government can nominate up to five honorary members in the commission.It has to submit its report to the council of ministers every year.

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