Press Release

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
on Solidarity action against child labour exploitation and trafficking in children between CWIN-Nepal and CLPTP/Save the Children Denmark Regional Office for South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background:

The Child Labour, Prostitution and Trafficking Programme (CLPTP) comprising two issues based sub-networks, namely (i) Active Implementing Sub-Network on child Labour (AISCL) and (ii) Active Implementing Sub-Network on Child Prostitution and Trafficking (AISCPT), under Save the Children Denmark, started working to address the problems of child labour, prostitution and trafficking in Bangladesh and West Bengal since July 1999. On of the main objectives of CLPTP is to ensure wider sharing and dissemination of relevant information among the sub-network members and other like-minded organizations in South Asia aiming to boost up mutual benefits through building linkage and networking. Child Prostitution and Trafficking sub-network of CLPTP has three organizations (ACD, BNLWLA and INCIDIN Bangladesh) of Bangladesh and SANLAAP of India as partners.

Established in 1987, Child workers in Nepal Concerned Centre (hereafter, CWIN) is the national human rights organization for children. This was initiated by a group of University student activists who were dedicated for the cause of human rights, freedom and social justice during the period of the movement for the restoration of democracy. As a pioneer child rights organization in the country, CWIN has been working always in the forefront for rights, dignity and justice for children since its inception. Over the years, CWIN has undertaken a number of initiatives to help protect and promote the rights of children at risk. This includes action programmes for prevention, protection and social reintegration of children who are the survivors of child labour exploitation, abuse and trafficking. CWIN is also among the organizers of many South Asian initiatives, which were dedicated for the common cause of children ate risk. South Asia, which is the common home of the word's 1/3 child population at risk, is also an emerging part of the world for the rights of children. CWIN believes that the growing solidarity among South Asian human rights movements will certainly bring bright future for the children who are living and working under darkness today.

Guided by their shared vision CWIN and CLPTP/Save the Children Denmark agree to work together for the movement for the rights of children at risk, particularly in the areas of child labour and trafficking in children. Therefore, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is developed between two organizations to achieve the following goals:

Objectives:

a) To develop effective linkage and networking among the like-mined organizations to work for the common cause in South Asia.

b) To initiate affective cooperation between Child Labour, Prostitution and Trafficking Programme (CLPtP) of Save the Children Denmark and CWIN to share information, skill and knowledge in the areas of rescue, repatriation, socialization and social reintegration of the chid survivors of trafficking and child labour.

c) To build up a social resistance against the traffickers utilizing concerted efforts from CLPTP and CWIN.

d) to exchange visits between Nepal and Bangladesh and contribute more to strengthen institutional and human capacity through sustainable and dynamic exercise for the rights of children at risk, and

e) To influence all kinds of regional mechanisms including SAARC which is directly or indirectly related to the rights of children in South Asia, particularly in the areas of child labour and trafficking in children, CWIN an CLPTP will formulate joint plans of action in combating child labour exploitation and trafficking in children. As well as to explore, assist and advocate for bilateral avenue or cooperation at government and non-government levels.

In the best interests of child survivors of labour exploitation and trafficking, both CWIN an CLPTP/Save the Children Denmark agree to work together in the following issues:

Signed by:

March 25, 2002, Kathmandu, Nepal