Human trafficking setback to progress
By KALOBWE BWALYA ZAMBIA is deeply concerned that Sub-Saharan Africa has remained the largest category of human trafficking despite sustained worldwide anti-trafficking efforts.
Zambia is also concerned that human trafficking has become the biggest threat to sustained economic development of many developing countries.
Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Lazarous Kapambwe said Zambia, like other developing countries has not been spared from the scourge as victims of human trafficking continue to be exploited in domestic servitude.
Mr Kapambwe said victims of trafficking are often women and children whose human rights are being abused through forced labour in sectors such as agriculture and textile industries.
He said this on Thursday at the ongoing 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High Level meeting on the Appraisal of the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat trafficking in persons.
Mr Kapambwe said, Zambia’s resolve to eliminate all forms of human trafficking has resulted into the country enacting the Anti-Human Trafficking Act No 11 of 2008 whose vision is to eradicate all forms of trafficking.
“The Anti-Human Trafficking Act has made provisions for the prohibition, prevention and prosecution of human trafficking, including the protection of victims by ensuring physical safety, material support, counselling, rehabilitation, education and skills development.
“Human trafficking continues to pose a serious threat to sustainable development, with millions of victims of trafficking, many of whom are women and children, being denied their human rights, dignity and freedom.
“Zambia has not been spared from the scourge and government has adopted a new national policy that aims to eradicate all forms of trafficking in the country through combined measures to raise awareness of issues and address the root causes while ensuring the victims are protected and perpetrators brought to justice,” Mr Kapambwe said.
And the United Nations (UN) has called for an end to human trafficking which according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Global Report has seen tens of millions of people become victims of forced labour, sexual servitude and recruitment as child soldiers across the globe.
UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres has described human trafficking as an abomination which is gripping the weakest and most vulnerable, often women, girls and boys who the perpetrators exploit for sex, vital organs and forced labour.
Mr Guterres has cited rising conflict, insecurity and economic uncertainty as among the causes of trafficking in persons, stating that millions of women, men and children are spilling out of their countries in the search of safety.
Mr Guterres stated that human traffickers have formed criminal networks and are using disorder and despair to expand their brutality, stating the gungs and groups have become global, well organized and technologically savvy, therefore the UN and its member should remain determined in countering the menace.
And President of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly Miroslav Lajčák observed that lack of strong institutions and the absence of rule of law has allowed human trafficking to continue with impunity.