Stakeholders raise concern over human trafficking
MWANZA: DESPITE intensified efforts to combat human trafficking in the country, the issue remains a significant challenge, particularly as many victims, especially children, are emigrating from neighbouring Burundi.
This was revealed by the Mwanza-based WoteSawa Domestic Workers Organisation, which operates in the Mwanza, Kagera and Kigoma regions, during a mid-week meeting aimed at addressing the problem of human trafficking.
The Organisation’s Legal Officer, Mr Joseph Mukoji, reported that from 2022 to the present, at least 53 victims were rescued from trafficking in Mwanza, with 29 of them coming from Burundi.
In Kasulu District of Kigoma Region, there were 24 victims, including 21 children and one woman from Burundi.
He noted that the situation is particularly critical in Ngara District of Kagera, where 75 victims have been recorded since last year, 42 of whom are from Burundi.
“We have safe homes to accommodate the victims. We typically receive them through referrals from our anti-trafficking partners, including the Police Force, Social Welfare Officers, the Immigration Department and concerned individuals,” he added.
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As previously mentioned, Tanzania serves as both a destination and a transit route for victims heading to other countries.
“As an organisation, we tackle the issue at its roots by educating school children about the dangers of human trafficking. WoteSawa has established at least 100 school clubs in our areas of operation to raise awareness,” he said.
Tanzanian children have also been subjected to inhumane tasks and various forms of genderbased violence, including forced begging.
The Secretary for the Anti-Human Trafficking Secretariat in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Seperatus Fella, echoed these concerns, noting that anecdotal research indicates that at least six children are rescued each month.
He emphasised that, given the majority of victims are from Burundi, Tanzania encourages regular meetings between the two countries to establish joint anti-trafficking mechanisms.
“We recently held one in the Kigoma Region. Tanzania remains committed to enforcing the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2008, which imposes severe penalties on perpetrators, including a minimum 10-year prison sentence and a fine of 50m/-.”
Mr Ken Heriel, Senior Project Associate for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Tanzania, praised the enforcement of the law, noting that it contributed to moving Tanzania off the Watch List in 2022 and placing it in Tier II.
