Combating Human Trafficking :Concrete Measures
Report by : Haffiya Elyas
Twenty-three percent of global human trafficking takes place in Africa. According to the 2018 Global Slavery Index, over 9.2 million people living in Africa are living in modern slavery. This makes up nearly a quarter of all human trafficking around the globe. When it comes to countries within Africa that have the highest amount of victims per 1,000 people.
The National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking held in the Ministry of Justice last Thursday, a meeting with the delegation of the US Embassy in Khartoum, which included officials from the political section of the embassy.
The meeting discussed the embassy delegation’s comment on the response and comment of the National Committee on Sudan’s report issued by the US State Department on human trafficking in countries of the world.
On 30 August 2021, the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCT) launched the National Action Plan for Combatting Human Trafficking 2021-2023 in Khartoum. The Committee was established after the Sudanese Parliament had passed the Combatting of Human Trafficking Act in 2014 and includes members of all relevant ministries and governmental institutions.
In the framework of the National Action Plan 2017-2019, Sudanese authorities increased the number of identified victims, of investigated and prosecuted cases of human trafficking as well as the number of operations together with Interpol .The new action plan aims to combat and prevent human trafficking and exploitative smuggling, especially trafficking of women and children.
Concrete measures for 2021-2023
Amongst the measures adopted, there are:Access to a microfinance programme and to vocational and technical education and job opportunities to reduce poverty and increase livelihood options for young people, including migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.Trainings with a special focus on female social workers to improve protection and support services for victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants.More safe houses and secured shelters for rescued victims.Further trainings targeting law enforcement officials, the establishment of specialised prosecutor offices and courts, cross-border cooperation and the access for victims of trafficking to legal aid to improve investigation and prosecution.Revision of the national legal framework according to international conventions relevant to the protection of human rights.
The plan also includes strengthening the NCCT to fulfil its mandate all over Sudan and to coordinate with all relevant national and international bodies to combat human trafficking.
The NCCT announced that it will conduct a series of briefing workshops and engage with the different state and non-state stakeholders to coordinate the intervention immediately after the launch
International Commitment :
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) commend the Sudanese Government for the launch of its 2021–2023 National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Human Trafficking.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) commend the Sudanese Government for the launch of its 2021–2023 National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Human Trafficking.
The plan, officially launched yesterday by the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking (NCCT), seeks to reinforce Sudan’s efforts to curb human trafficking and to build on the previous action plan for 2017-2019.
“The launch of this National Action Plan shows the renewed commitment of the Government of Sudan to tackle human trafficking, which is also a key concern for refugees and asylum seekers,” said , UNHCR Representative in Sudan. “We will continue to work with the NCCT, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other partners to enhance the protection of forcibly displaced who have fallen victims of trafficking and to find solutions for them,” he added.
“The National Action Plan is a way forward to coordinate the efforts in the prevention of trafficking, protection and assistance to victims of trafficking in Sudan,” said IOM Chief of Mission in Sudan. “IOM is committed to continue its efforts to support the government together with UNHCR and other partners to protect the human rights of and provide assistance to victims of trafficking.”
The overarching goal of the new NAP is to prevent and respond to human trafficking and migrant smuggling, which women and children are at heightened risk of. The plan outlines activities aimed at eradicating trafficking in persons.