Survivors Demand Justice In March 2007, Free the Slaves’ partner organization, Shakti Samuha organized the first ever national convention for trafficking survivors in Nepal. During a three day closed session, the women shared their experiences and their efforts to rebuild their lives. By the end of the convention they had identified the issues that had affected them all and created a series of demands directed at the Nepali government, the society as a whole, as well as the wider international community. The following day, after a march through Kathmandu to the national auditorium, they presented these demands to representatives of government ministries, political parties, international human rights organizations (including Free the Slaves) and women’s organizations. - The state must guarantee education and skill-based employment for women trafficking survivors.
- There should be prompt establishment of rehabilitation centers for trafficking survivor.
- Arrangements should be made for free health checkups for survivors.
- Affected women should be assured their rights to food, shelter, clothing and security.
- Both the trafficker and the buyer should be punished.
- The state must guarantee women the rights to treat specific health problems and live in a violence-free environment.
- Arrangements should be made for free education, health and security for the children of the affected women.
- Immediate and easy implementation of the provision for children to register their citizenship on the basis of their mothers' citizenship.
- Arrangements should be made for rightful compensation for those that are affected.
- Prompt arrangements should be made for a secure alternative employment after reintegration.
- Internal human trafficking as well as trafficking outside the country’s borders should be included under the legal definitions.
- There should be life imprisonment for people who help middlemen to traffick women.
- There needs to be strong action against those who socially abuse or ill-treat those affected by trafficking.
- The basic human rights of the affected women must be specified and upheld.
- The state must guarantee access to information about those affected by trafficking, inside and outside the country.
- It is necessary to have a research and investigation about those affected, in order to prevent further trafficking.
- The hearing of the cases of trafficking survivors should be arranged in a closed (confidential) court.
- There should be labor agreements to protect migrant rights between the source country and destination country.
- Rights of movement across the border should be upheld, and information for migrants* should be made available under the leadership of a person who has been affected by trafficking.
- The state must take the responsibility of social security and safety of those affected, their families and those helping the affected, during the course of a legal case.
- The state must ensure the right of confidentiality of the affected women.
- Arrangements should be made for a suitable national policy to address and solve cases of trafficking, and as these programs are developed, those most affected by trafficking should participate.
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