Trafficking from Nepal to China on the Rise: A Case of Exploitation Under False Promises

Recent developments indicate a significant increase in human trafficking from Nepal to China, often disguised as opportunities for employment and marriage with Chinese nationals. Nepalese and Chinese brokers have expanded their networks, facilitating financial transactions to smuggle people.

In the past, police have arrested and prosecuted individuals from both Nepal and China involved in human smuggling under various pretenses. Victims sold to China are often held hostage and subjected to physical and mental torture, labor exploitation, sexual exploitation, prostitution, and hazardous work.

In a recent incident, a Nepali woman has been arrested for trafficking another Nepali woman to China under the pretext of arranging her marriage to a Chinese man. The arrested woman is identified as 31-year-old Sundari Rai.

The Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau of the Nepal Police arrested Rai on Tuesday. According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Gautam Mishra, the Information Officer of the Bureau, it was revealed that Rai arranged a meeting between the victim girl and a Chinese man in Thamel, Kathmandu, facilitated their marriage, and sent the girl to China on a visit visa.

Rai contacted the victim through Facebook, enticing her by claiming that she had been married to a Chinese citizen for 10 years and had moved to China. She praised life in China, encouraging the victim to also get married, assuring her that the prospective husband was wealthy and good.

On Falgun 10 last year, Rai took the victim to China on a visit visa, sold her for 150,000 rupees, and then returned to Nepal.

The police investigation revealed that the Chinese nationals held the victim at their home, where they physically and mentally tortured her and repeatedly sexually abused her.

The police, in coordination with the Nepali Embassy in China, rescued the victim and brought her back to Nepal last Sunday.

In the human trafficking case against Rai, the police obtained a 7-day remand from the Kathmandu District Court. The search for the Chinese nationals and other suspects involved in the incident is ongoing.