Kathmandu, September 6:

People from different walks of life today expressed concern over the poor implementation of the Human Trafficking Control Act 2007.

Although the trafficking control act is a step towards controlling human trafficking, it is poorly implemented, the people said at a function organised to mark the national day against human trafficking.

The new law on human trafficking is better than the older one because it also incorporates issues related with sale of human organs as well, said Yubaraj Sangraula, director of the Kathmandu School of Law (KSL).

Sangraula was speaking at a programme organised by KSL.

“However, there is a danger that rich people and criminals could influence police officers and the voices of the powerless and poor could be overshadowed,” Sangraula further said.

The present trafficking control act has authorised the police to directly move the court against traffickers, but in the earlier ones cases had to be filed through lawyers.

“The act is silent on the cases of human trafficking associated with foreign nations,” said associate professor Gita Pathak.

She emphasised on the need for preventive measures to check human trafficking.

In a separate programme organised under the aegis of the Forum for Women Law and Development in the capital, speakers discussed on the pros and cons of the new anti-trafficking act.

The speakers came up with the conclusion that the human trafficking control act, despite being a very positive step to check human trafficking, is not on par with the international convention on human trafficking.