Cross-border crimes are one of the serious threats our planet faces these days. These crimes encompass a variety of illicit activities, such as human trafficking, smuggling, cybercrime, money laundering, terrorism, drug and weapons trafficking among others. These crimes have far reaching negative consequences for any country, for regional stability and global security.
By taking the issue seriously, countries all over the world are working individually or in collaboration to curb illegal human trafficking and cross-border crimes.
Ethiopia is one of these countries that are working aggressively to halt all forms of cross-border crimes. This is especially true regarding illicit human trafficking and it is taking measures against traffickers. The government has been implementing various strategies, including strengthening law enforcement, enhancing border control and improving international cooperation.
As part of its vision to curb illegal human trafficking, Ethiopia has also increased efforts to raise awareness, provide support to victims and prosecute those involved in human trafficking.
Recently, the Regional Operational Center in support of the Khartoum (ROCK) process and the African Union (AU) Horn of Africa Initiative organized a consultation meeting with stakeholders to address the issues of human trafficking and cross-border crimes, here in Addis Ababa, ENA reported.
Speaking at the event, Federal Police Deputy Commissioner, General Zelalem Mengiste stated that Ethiopia will continue to enhance its continental and international cooperation to combat illegal human trafficking and cross-border crimes.
According to the Deputy Commissioner, cross border crime is becoming a serious threat to global peace and security and its impact is affecting the peace and security of countries across the globe.
During the Prosecution and Law Enforcing Dialogue he said: “We are living at a time when technological and communication advancements have shrunk distances between states and opened up new frontiers of opportunities for economic, political and social interactions,” he noted.
According to him, globalization has brought the whole world into a single village. The interconnection among nations’ economic, political and social interconnectedness has also provided a fertile ground for criminal organizations and cross-border crimes, illicit human trafficking and organized smuggling.
The Deputy Commissioner underlined that because of illicit human trafficking, several people are suffering in the hands of traffickers and smugglers who are gambling and making money out of the blood of innocent people.
Many of the illegal migrants are victims of extortion, torture, kidnaping for the sake of ransom, sexual exploitation, forced labor and domestic servitude. What is more, the Deputy Commissioner also pointed out that several people are also dying because of the inhuman treatment of illicit traffickers. Seeing the magnitude of the problem, Ethiopia is actively working to curb illegal trafficking and cross-border crimes.
Mentioning that Ethiopia has been a member country of the ROCK for long, he said that the country is working persistently to prevent the crime of human trafficking through assigning a representative. It is contributing significantly by joining hands with member countries, stakeholders and police institutions.
A task force led by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen has been established and various activities are ongoing to prevent human trafficking. In turn, encouraging results are recorded. Similarly, activities are being carried out to prevent the crime in coordination with all regional police institutions, he added.
Speaking on his part, ROCK Technical Director, Harve Jamet said that ROCK is working to mitigate human trafficking in the region by joining hands with member countries.
Regarding Ethiopia`s role in fighting cross-border crime and illicit human trafficking, the Technical Director said that Ethiopia is one of the main partners in the ROCK project. “I just want to underline that Ethiopia is a very important partner for us and the main partners of this project.”
Ethiopia is indeed working committedly to combat both cross-border crimes and illicit human trafficking within and outside its borders seeing the danger and the magnitude of the challenge for regional peace and stability as well as country`s safety. This includes international and regional cooperation, enacting and enforcing legislation aimed at curbing human trafficking, awareness raising and prevention efforts, provision of support and protection for victims of human trafficking.
Ethiopia, as a country prone to both cross-border crimes and illicit human trafficking, is working with its neighboring countries and international organizations including INTERPOL and other regional and international organizations to address the problem.
This is in the form of sharing intelligence and information about cross-border criminal activities; and through joint operations to apprehend criminals involved in crimes, gaining capacity-building programs offered by INTERPOL to strengthen the skill of Ethiopian law enforcement personnel.
Ethiopia’s effort to curtail illicit human trafficking is also worth appreciating. The efforts the country took to combat illicit human trafficking have been yielding positive results. Law enforcement efforts have led to an increase in the prosecution of individuals involved in human trafficking. This signals a more rebuttal legal response to the crime.
Through coordinated efforts, law enforcement agencies have been able to rescue victims of human trafficking and provide them with the necessary support and rehabilitation services. This demonstrates a commitment to not only apprehending traffickers but also assisting and protecting survivors. What is more, using its citizen based policy the government of Ethiopia is doing its level best to create job opportunities at home or sending workforces outside of the country in a legal manner.
Both illicit human trafficking and cross-border crimes are complicated and more sophisticated that involve modern technologies and organized criminal groups. In this regard, coordinated efforts are essential to effectively combat cross-border crimes and illicit human trafficking. Ethiopia`s recognition of the need for coordinated efforts reflects a comprehensive approach to address these complex challenges, acknowledging that a united front is essential to combatting cross border crime and protecting vulnerable individuals from the horrors of human trafficking.
The ROCK is a project working focusing on to eliminate human trafficking and human smuggling. The project is funded by the European Union.
The main purpose of the roundtable is to exchange ideas and to cooperate on the smooth exchange of information among stakeholders, it was learnt,
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 27 JANUARY 2024
