Curbing human trafficking has become increasingly complex and challenging for countries due to various pushing and pulling factors. The international community is also striving to develop a working system to eliminate human trafficking worldwide, ensuring dignity and humility for all individuals involved.
Recent incidents in routes such as the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Lampedusa in Italy, where numerous lives were lost, serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for more robust measures to combat trafficking and protect migrants on dangerous migration pathways.
According to documented statistics, millions of men, women, and children worldwide fall victim to human trafficking, facing sexual exploitation, forced labor, and other forms of exploitation. The human and economic costs of this heinous crime have a profound impact on individuals and communities.
Conservative estimates suggest that the cost of trafficking, including underpayment of wages and recruiting fees exceeds $20 billion. The true costs to human capital are likely impossible to quantify. Human trafficking intersects with various development issues, from poverty to social inclusion, justice, and the rule of law, making it a relevant concern for practitioners across the development community.
In line with these perspectives, Ethiopia has been actively working with stakeholders to curb human trafficking and collaborating with countries of destination and transit. Most recently, the Ethiopian Delegation, led by Minister of Peace, Benalf Andualem, participated in the 20th Palermo Convention, focused on discussing trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, held in Palermo, Italy.
During the convention, Benalf expressed Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to collaborate with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in countering the illegal trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants.
Benalf highlighted on the Convention that the policy frameworks, institutional arrangements, and corrective measures that Ethiopia has been implementing to control trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. As a country situated in the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia serves as an origin, transit, and destination for migrants, underscoring the importance of comprehensive efforts to address these issues.
Ethiopia recognizes human trafficking as a significant challenge and a violation of human rights. The country has made concerted efforts to combat this crime, striving to protect the well-being and rights of individuals affected.
Curbing human trafficking requires collaborative efforts at local, national, and international levels. Ethiopia’s commitment to working with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, along with its policy frameworks and corrective measures, demonstrates its dedication to combating human trafficking and promoting the dignity and rights of all individuals.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Demise Gebermichael, an expert in Leadership, Good governance and Development Studies working at the Federal Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Ethics and Anti-Corruption team leader, highlighted that in today’s complex and interconnected world, no single country can tackle this issue alone. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to curb human trafficking.
According to him, Ethiopia has taken significant steps to address human trafficking by enacting laws to criminalize it. The 2014 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Proclamation, for example, criminalizes all forms of trafficking, both internal and transnational. This law includes penalties for traffickers and provisions for the protection of victims.
To effectively combat human trafficking, Ethiopia has established national coordination mechanisms. The National Council to Combat Human Trafficking, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, serves as the focal point for coordinating anti-trafficking efforts among various government agencies and stakeholders. This demonstrates Ethiopia’s commitment to addressing human trafficking with great concern.
However, Demise suggests that, efforts to raise awareness about human trafficking need to be further strengthened. Many people fall victim to human traffickers due to lack of awareness about the risks involved. He recommends implementing sustainable awareness campaigns across the nation and emphasizes the importance of job creation to address the growing demand for work both locally and abroad through legal means.
While Ethiopia has conducted awareness campaigns targeting communities in different regions, vulnerable groups, and potential victims, it appears that the outcomes have not been as effective as desired, as migration continues.
Demise believes that these awareness campaigns should be tailored to specific communities and calls for better collaboration among civil society organizations to ensure a more organized approach.
In addition to awareness, Demise emphasizes the need to strengthen the skills of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judges, and other stakeholders involved in combating human trafficking. Improving victim identification, investigation techniques, and legal procedures are vital aspects of the fight against trafficking.
Demise also highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach involving legal frameworks, coordination mechanisms, awareness campaigns, job creation, and capacity building to effectively curb human trafficking. Ethiopia’s efforts in these areas demonstrate its commitment to addressing this issue, but further collaboration and strengthening of initiatives are necessary to combat human trafficking more effectively.
Since population migrations may have a big impact on local political, social, economic, and ecological systems in both sending and receiving nations, illegal migration is a major issue for all governments. In order to solve the issue, it is crucial that parents, families, the legal system, and the community as a whole actively participate.
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
The Ethiopian Herald October 5/2023
