Understanding Human Trafficking in the Eastern Himalaya: Case of India-Nepal and India-Myanmar Border
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32674/chxe0132Keywords:
Human Trafficking, India, Nepal, Myanmar, SDG 5, SDG 16Abstract
Human trafficking is a serious crime and is considered a violation of basic human rights. It is also one of the fastest-growing illegal trades, which has affected the developing countries of South Asia. This paper suggests two different borders in the eastern Himalayas that have addressed border activities differently. First, the India-Nepal border has been prone to Human Trafficking due to its porous border, where there is no formal agreement. Secondly, the India and Myanmar border has a specific agreement to prevent human trafficking and has recently ended the Free Movement Regime due to cross-border activities. This paper uses snowball methods to collect data with its narrative to provide a picture of the day-to-day activities. It studies the collaborative effort of state and non-state actors and their success and failure in those two different borders.
References
References
1. Amnesty International (2023), Myanmar 2023. https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-east-asia-and-the-pacific/myanmar/report-myanmar/ (Accessed on 5 February 2025).
2. ASEAN Main Portal (March 2009), SIREN human trafficking data sheet, Myanmar. https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/MY3_Strategic-Info-Res-Netw-HT-Data-Sheet-2009.pdf (Accessed on 8 February 2025).
3. Bachpan bachao Andolan (December 10, 2020), Indo-Nepal Dialogue Trafficking of Children Across Borders. p. 1. https://bba.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Indo-Nepal-dialogue_Trafficking-of-Children-across-Borders_Revised-Note_08.12.2020-1.pdf (Accessed on 7 February 2025).
4. Embassy of India (May 31, 2024), Advisory regarding fake job racket targeting Indian youth. Yangon. https://embassyofindiayangon.gov.in/public_files/assets/pdf/yangon_3july2024_popup.pdf (Accessed on 8 February 2025).
5. Gallagher, A. (2010), The International Law of Human Trafficking, Cambridge University Press: New York.
6. Interview with Nirnay Chettri, Founder of MARG, Darjeeling (interview via Google Meet), 12 February 2025.
7. Interview with Rangu Souriya, Founder of Kanchanjunga Uddhar Kendra, Siliguri, 12 February 2025.
8. Interview with Raju Nepali, Founder of Duars Express Mail, Jalpaiguri, 12 February 2025.
9. Interview with Ankita Gupta, Student of Christ University, Bangalore, February 14, 2025.
10. Kengurusie, N. (2017), Human Trafficking in North East India: Patterns and Emerging Trends, Journal of North East India Studies, Vol. 7(1): 115-124.
11. Legislative Department (2022), The Constitution of India, P. 14. https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s380537a945c7aaa788ccfcdf1b99b5d8f/uploads/2023/05/2023050195.pdf
12. Lee, M. (Ed) (2007), Human Trafficking, Willin Publishing: Cullompton.
13. Mahadevan, P. (November 2020), Crossing the Line: Geopolitics and criminality at the India-Myanmar border. Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Crossing-the-line-Geopolitics-and-criminality-at-the-India-Myanmar-border.pdf (Accessed on 4 February 2025).
14. Ministry of External Affairs, Human Trafficking, Consular, Passport and Visa Division. https://www.mea.gov.in/human-trafficking.htm (Accessed on 7 February 2025).
15. Ministry of Women and Child Development (July 11, 2023), Government to help build infrastructure to combat child trafficking in the border areas. Delhi. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1938648 (Accessed on 4 February 2025)
16. National Human Rights Commission of Nepal (2022), Annual Report (Summary) (FY 2021-22), Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal. Page 15. https://www.nhrcnepal.org/uploads/publication/Annual_Report_Summary_For_Website_Final.pdf (Accessed 6 February 2025).
17. Narcoordindia (May 8, 2014), Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Myanmar on Border Cooperation. https://narcoordindia.gov.in/narcoordindia/Mous/1656157853-8654-DOC-MoU%20Myanmar.pdf
18. National Crime Records Bureau (2022), Crime in India 2022. Statistics, Vol. I. Ministry of Home Affairs. https://www.ncrb.gov.in/uploads/nationalcrimerecordsbureau/custom/1701607577CrimeinIndia2022Book1.pdf (Accessed on 6 February 2025).
19. Nigam, C. (Oct. 7, 2018), 50 women from Nepal are trafficked to India every day, India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/50-women-from-nepal-are-trafficked-to-india-every-day-1357737-2018-10-07 (Accessed on 6 February 2025).
20. Pandey, D. (July 10, 2022), NIA registers four cases to probe trafficking of Nepalese women and girls overseas via Manipur, The Hindu. New Delhi. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nia-registers-four-cases-to-probe-trafficking-of-nepalese-women-and-girls-overseas-via-manipur/article65388702.ece (Accessed 7 February 2025).
21. PIB (November 27, 2019), Cabinet approves MoU signed between India and Myanmar on bilateral cooperation for Preventing of Trafficking in Persons, Delhi, November 27, 2019. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1593659#:~:text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%20chaired%20by,integration%20of%20victims%20of%20Trafficking. (Accessed on 7 February 2025).
22. PTI, (Feb. 17, 2017), Two West Bengal girls who helped bust flesh trade among bravery awardees, The Indian Express, https://indianexpress.com/article/india/two-west-bengal-girls-who-helped-bust-flesh-trade-among-bravery-awardees/ (Accessed on 2 February 2025).
24. Sharma, R. (Oct. 20, 2020), India and Nepal must develop a formal agreement to prevent human trafficking, LSE. https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/socialpolicy/2020/10/20/india-and-nepal-must-develop-a-formal-agreement-to-prevent-human-trafficking/ (Accessed on 5 February 2025).
26. South Asian March Against Child Trafficking. September 2017. https://globalmarch.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Report-Trafficking-March.pdf (Accessed on 7 February 2025).
27. The Global New Light of Myanmar (Sept. 13, 2024), Message by Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, State Administration Council Member, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Chairperson of Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons to 12th Myanmar’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Day. https://www.gnlm.com.mm/message-by-lt-gen-yar-pyae-state-administration-council-member-union-minister-for-home-affairs-and-chairperson-of-central-body-for-suppression-of-trafficking-in-persons-to-12th-myanmars-an/ (Accessed on 7 February 2025).
28. The Straits Times (Nov. 12, 2024), Trafficking victims in Myanmar forced to sell organs, says charity. ASIA. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/trafficking-victims-in-myanmar-forced-to-sell-organs-charity (Accessed on 4 February 2025)
29. The Kathmandu Post. Human Trafficking woes. July 13, 2020. https://kathmandupost.com/editorial/2020/07/13/human-trafficking-woes (Accessed on 7 February 2025)
30. UNODC (2024), Global Report on Trafficking in Person 2024, Austria: United Nations. https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/glotip/2024/GLOTIP2024_BOOK.pdf (Accessed on 15 February 2025)
31. UNODC (2009), Addressing Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. https://www.unodc.org/southasia/en/topics/frontpage/2009/trafficking-in-persons-and-smuggling-of-migrants.html#:~:text=It%20victimizes%20millions%20of%20women,forced%20marriages%20and%20practices%20like (Accessed on 5 February 2025).
32. UNHCR (June 27, 2017), 2017 Trafficking in Person Report-Burma, United States Department of State. https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/usdos/2017/en/117376 (Accessed on 3 February 2025).
33. US Department of State (2024), 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Burma. https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/burma/ (Accessed on 4 January 2025).
34. Union Government (Civil) (2021), Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Performance Audit of Indo-Nepal Border Road Project, Ministry of Home Affairs, Report No. 23 of 2021 (Performance Audit). https://cag.gov.in/webroot/uploads/download_audit_report/2021/Report%20No.%2023%20of%202021_INBRP_English_PDF-A-0624d5a6a9bf384.10361852.pdf (Accessed on 7 February 2025)
35. Zheng, T. (2010), Sex Trafficking, Human Rights and Social Justice, Routledge: New York.
