ADDIS ABABA – The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a national hotline, 8797, designed to be a crucial tool in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and to enhance law enforcement efforts.
The hotline was officially inaugurated yesterday by the MoJ, the Federal First Instance Court Vice President, and representatives from international civil society and survivor organizations.
Speaking at the launch, MoJ State Minister Belayhun Yirga emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting safe migration and addressing irregular migration through comprehensive policies, legal frameworks, and structural improvements aligned with national and international standards.
He outlined the government’s initiatives to tackle the root causes of migration, including implementing social and economic programs to boost domestic and overseas employment, raising public awareness, improving border management, and strengthening law enforcement.
The 8797 hotline will operate in four languages: Amharic, Afan Oromo, Tigrigna, and English, facilitating access for a wider population.
Belayhun highlighted its role in addressing serious criminal activities such as smuggling and trafficking.
Beyond improving migration governance, the hotline will provide vital support to victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, offering information dissemination, referrals, psychological support, and feedback through a single point of contact.
He acknowledged the perilous conditions faced by many Ethiopian migrants who engage in irregular migration, often experiencing severe threats to their lives, rights, and dignity in destination countries.
Belayhun expressed gratitude to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ethio telecom, and the Ministry of Health for their support and urged government institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders to collaborate for the hotline’s effective implementation.
IOM Ethiopia Chief of Mission Abibatou Wane Fall underscored the hotline’s significance in the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling, crimes that deprive individuals of their fundamental rights.
She highlighted the global crisis of modern slavery, affecting approximately 50 million people, and noted the vulnerability of many migrants in Ethiopia to violence, abuse, and deprivation.
Abibatou emphasized that the 8797 hotline will serve as a catalyst for preventing trafficking and risky migration, protecting victims, and supporting the prosecution of perpetrators by providing reliable information, facilitating victim referrals, and aiding law enforcement.
“This hotline is not just an information tool. It is a lifeline for victims, a sign of hope for survivors, and a powerful weapon in our fight to combat human trafficking. It is a bridge to safety, support, and justice for many who find themselves in vulnerable and exploitative situations,” she stated.
Abibatou reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to collaborating with the MoJ and the National Partnership Coalition on Migration to strengthen the hotline and other counter-trafficking initiatives.
BY ASHENAFI ANIMUT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 26 MARCH 2025
