Friday, June 29, 2018

Danuwar wins top US honour

Sunita Danuwar from Nepal is among the ten activists working against human trafficking selected by the US Department of State for 2018 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) honour’s list.
Danuwar – the co-founder and executive director of the anti-trafficking NGO Shakti Samuha –  works to elevate survivors’ perspectives and raises awareness about human trafficking in poor and rural communities.
Issuing a press note today, the US Embassy in Kathmandu congratulated Danuwar for her efforts in the face of serious challenges to protect victims, punish traffickers, and raise awareness on human trafficking.
The US Embassy in Kathmandu also said that Danuwar was recognised for her commitment to providing services to survivors and at-risk communities across Nepal. “The report assesses governments around the world on their efforts to combat modern slavery and presents an updated, global look at the nature and scope of trafficking in persons," the press note reads.
US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo joined the advisor to the President Ivanka Trump to release the US Department of State’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report 2018 in Washington, DC. During the ceremony, secretary Pompeo also honoured the State Department’s 2018 TIP Heroes including Sunita Danuwar.
Danuwar is one of the only 10 anti-trafficking TIP Heroes selected from around the world to receive the international honour, which celebrates the work and achievements of exceptional individuals, who have devoted their lives to the fight against human trafficking. Danuwar was recognised for her commitment to providing services to survivors and at-risk communities across Nepal.
"Modern slavery has no place in the world, and I intend to ensure, through diplomatic engagement and increased action, that the US government’s leadership in combating this global threat is sustained in the years to come," said secretary Pompeo speaking on the occasion.
The report assesses governments around the world on their efforts to combat modern slavery and presents an updated, global look at the nature and scope of trafficking in persons. This year’s report also focuses on the effective ways local communities can address human trafficking proactively and on how national governments can support and empower them.
The report also recognises that Nepal has made progress to eliminate human trafficking through increased efforts to prevent it, as well as modest improvements in law enforcement and victim protection efforts.
It has recommendaed for improvements that Nepal can make to meet the minimum international standards for the elimination of trafficking. The recommendations include acceding to the 2000 UN TIP Protocol, which would send a strong signal of Nepal’s continued commitment to fighting human trafficking. The UN TIP Protocol – also known as one of the Palermo Protocols – has already been ratified by 173 countries.
The US Embassy in Kathmandu is committed to continue its support to Nepal government and people of Nepal in their efforts to combat trafficking in persons, the statement further reads.

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