By Nasratu Kargbo
President Julius Madaa Bio has announced the establishment of a national toll-free hotline that will serve as a means to report human trafficking in the country. He made this announcement on the 28th of February 2022 during the national conference on trafficking in persons.
According to President Bio, the government has worked together with partners to develop the national reporting system in order to enhance national reporting on human trafficking. He stated that “the national toll-free 134 FREEDOM HOTLINE established on all three telephone carriers”, adding that he believes that the free line will be a significant tool to fight human trafficking.
The president said even though the “men-pikin” (foster parenting) phenomenon is acceptable, he however described it to be “abusive, inhumane, and exploitative”. He also said the idea that one needs to go through a “temple run” (illegal migration through the Mediterranean sea) before they can be successful is dangerous.
Stating the strides made by the government to tackle this menace, Bio explained that they are presently reviewing and improving on the Anti-Human Trafficking Act of 2007, Act No. 7. He explained that the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Bill 2021 is expansive and works in accordance with international best practices looking into crimes such as illegal removal of organs, sexual servitude, debt bondage, and all forms of migrant smuggling.
However is noted that more need to be done in educating people on trafficking in persons, Bio explained they need and will intensify their efforts to educate the public on the forms and impact of trafficking in persons, noting that “An informed public is a more vigilant public” and that the more educated the citizens are, the more citizens will report trafficking in persons.
He explained that he has asked the Trafficking in person taskforce to develop a broader anti-trafficking architecture to identify, track, and support victims within an integrated national referral system. He added that the Ministry should make sure that there is strict compliance with all standard operating procedures for all stakeholders within the national referral system.
Speaking on some of the challenges, President Bio said they lack finance and other resources to tackle the national and transnational networks. He explained that with the limited resources they have supported training and fund victims' support operations and infrastructure.
In addition, Bio said they need more public education, training, and equipment for first responders, law enforcement officers, prosecutorial staff, social workers, and more shelters to support victims. He added that they need more support to remove, repatriate, and reintegrate the nationals that are victims of human trafficking.
He promised that they will work with the neighboring countries, ECOWAS sub-region, and international partners to harmonize national actions and the country’s referral systems.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (02/03/22)
