Why and how Nepal has become a new trafficking route

Nepal has emerged as a new transit route for human trafficking to Europe and North America, driven by weak visa scrutiny, easy cross-border access, and active broker networks exploiting regulatory gaps, according to a recent report.

On 1 December, the National Security Intelligence (NSI) sent a special report on human trafficking in Nepal to the senior secretary of the home ministry.

3 trafficking routes identified

The report identifies three major trafficking routes, using both air and land, operated by organised broker networks.

Air routes include:

• Bangladesh (Dhaka) – Nepal (Kathmandu) – China (Hong Kong) – North America (Canada)
• Bangladesh (Dhaka) – Nepal (Kathmandu) – Italy (Rome) – Europe (Belgium)
• Bangladesh (Dhaka) – India – Nepal (Kathmandu)

Land routes include:

• Dhaka/Khulna – Benapole/Bhomra – India (Petrapole/Kolkata/Siliguri) – Kakarbhitta – Kathmandu

Why Nepal is the route of choice

The report outlines several factors behind Nepal's emergence as a trafficking hub. These include visa-on-arrival facilities for Bangladeshi citizens, the absence of complex visa verification and strict security screening, and Nepal's geopolitical position that allows easy land and air connectivity through India.

It also points to a lack of effective information-sharing and monitoring mechanisms between the immigration authorities of Bangladesh and Nepal, which traffickers exploit to move victims onward to Europe and North America.

To curb the trend, the report recommends transferring Nepal-centric trafficking cases to the Criminal Investigation Department's (CID) serious crime investigation division, informing relevant foreign missions through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and scrutinising the financial transactions of accused traffickers through the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU).

CID Additional Superintendent of Police Mostafizur Rahman told The Business Standard that three people, including a broker, have been arrested in Bangladesh in connection with a case involving torture in Nepal for ransom. He said the investigation is ongoing and authorities are examining possible involvement of foreign brokers.

Warning to migrants

Shariful Islam Hasan, associate director of the BRAC Migration Programme, said attempts to traffic people to Europe via Nepal have been continuing for nearly a year. He cautioned that Nepal is not a legitimate transit country for Europe and urged people not to be misled by such offers.

He added that traffickers are taking advantage of easy visa procedures and comparatively low airfares, making the Nepal route appear attractive but highly dangerous for prospective migrants.