Of total human trafficking cases filed at various courts of the nation in last four years, only 50 per cent were successful, a study revealed.

According to the study report launched in Dhulikhel of Kavre, the success rate of human trafficking cases stands at 50.4 per cent in last four years reports THT online.

The Centre for Legal Research and Resource Development (CeLRRD), a Kathmandu-based NGO, had conducted the nationwide research with the support of USAID.

Errors and shortcomings from investigation to verdict announcement resulted in the low success rate, according to the study.

The report identified legal ambiguities and complexities, unskilled human resources, misinterpretation of laws and change of statements from the victims, among others, contribute to the low success rate.

Speaking at the report launch, Joint Attorney General Krishnajeevi Ghimire said the report revealed that people above 12 years of age, women in particular, were victims of human trafficking.  Unmarried, unemployed, poor and illiterate people are prone to trafficking, he added.

As many as 56 district courts of the nation received human trafficking cases in the period, according to the study.

According to the Trafficking In Persons and Transportation Control Act,2007, convicts in human trafficking cases are sentenced with an imprisonment up to 20 years and a fine up to Rs 700,000 as per seriousness of the case.