A Situational Analysis of Child Sex Tourism in Nepal (Kathmandu ...

Nepal. It has been discovered that large international networks of paedophiles are visiting
and often living permanently in Nepal. For cover-up some of them have opened
“orphanages” and “street shelter” for poor and neglected children. They are active under
these orphanages and street shelters. Investigations have revealed that some of these socalled
“social servants” are actually exploiting Nepalese children in their orphanage or
shelters.
Where tourism plays an important part in the contribution to our country’s economic
growth, the hazards of tourism should not be deserted. Tourism development appears to
be directly connected with the presence of extensive sex industries in these countries. The
growth of tourism has been found a contributing factor to growth of sexual exploitation
of children. Sex tourism, as it is called has found its way into the tourism market.
Paedophiles prefer developing countries like Nepal probably because the services of
children are easily available at cheaper rates that encourage Nepalese children suffer at
the hand of foreigners. Regardless of whatever this concern springs a humanitarian,
religious or any other motivation, this is an issue, which needs to be tackled with
urgency, especially since Nepal has no law against this form of crime. Although the
seriousness of problem is being felt, there have been fewer efforts to address the problem
from the government side.
1.8. National and International Commitments against CST
There has been a significant progress in the acknowledgement of the rights of the child in
past few years, though very limited.
The convention on the rights of the child, 1989: Nepal ratified the UN Convention on
the rights of the child in 1990.
Optional Protocol: In addition, HMG/Nepal signed the Optional Protocol to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child regarding the sale of children, child prostitution
and child pornography at the Millennium Summit in the year 2000.
ILO Convention no. 182: Nepal has also ratified ILO Convention no. 182 on the Worst
Forms of Child Labour, in the year 2000.
Muluki Ain: The Muluki Ain (Civil Code) formulated 35 years back also has a provision
against unnatural sex but Nepalese acts are silent about the paedophiles.
The Children's Act 1992: The Children's Act formulated some eight years back has
provisions against any kind of sexual abuse against the girl child but it is silent when the
victims are boys. The Children's Act 1992 merely states children's sexual exploitation. It
also does not mention sexual abuse of boys.
Bill on Prohibition and Regulation of Child Labour: Nepal has also adopted a Bill on
Prohibition and Regulation of Child Labour in 2001, according to which commercial
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