ANNUAL REPORT 2004 4.2. Completion of Office of the Human Rights Status Realizing the need of a report covering all the subjects and issues regarding human rights, the National Human Rights Commission of Nepal, with a view to provide information on the current status of the human rights in the country, had initiated a research-oriented project. The status report was distributed with its publication in both languages, Nepali and English. 4.3. Office of the National Rapporteur in Trafficking on Women & Children Realizing the need for an institutional mechanism for developing conceptual clarity regarding women and child trafficking, for monitoring incidents of trafficking by introducing public opinion, for synthesizing the steps taken in national, regional and international level to control trafficking, and for introducing the high level commitment to improve the status of women and child rights, the Office of the National Rapporteur was set up in the Commission. It was established as per the agreement dated 29 August 2002 between the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare and the National Human Rights Commission. However, the office came into operation only after 10 January 2003. The Office of National Rapporteur functions under the National Human Rights Commission. It works for human rights, gender equity and prevention of trafficking and similar other activities along with the treatment, prevention, protection and rehabilitation of the trafficked individuals. After its establishment, the main activities undertaken by the National Rapporteur Office during the period covered by this report are as follows: 4.3.1. Discussion with Interest Groups on Action Plan To formulate the action plan of fiscal year 2004, the National Rapporteur Office organized various discussion programs with the major interest groups. One of such programs was held on 12 February 2003 with the team of NGOs active in the sectors dedicated to women and children. The other was held on 15 March 2003 with the team of INGOs and the United Nations. These interactions provided input for the action plan of the Office of the National Rapporteur. It was also known that the trafficking of women and children be prevented in coordination with the National Rapporteur Office. The INGOs and donor agencies have shown their interests and commitments for assistance in this regard. 4.3.2. Interaction for the Plan of Action to Prevent Trafficking of Women and Children In order to address the problem relating to the trafficking of women and children, a program was held in Rupandehi in the Central Development Region on 31 March 2003. The main objective of this program was to prepare the strategic plan for strengthening the existing programs against trafficking of women and children and to further clarify the position of the human rights on the issues relating to the trafficking. Representatives from 53