US envoy calls for decisive actions against human traffickers
DAR ES SALAAM: The US Ambassador to Tanzania, Michael Battle, has urged the Government of Tanzania to take decisive actions against perpetrators of human trafficking while simultaneously protecting the victims.
Speaking at a workshop designed to empower hotel operators to detect and report human traffickers organized by the Tanzania Relief Initiative (TRI) in Dar es Salaam recently, the envoy emphasized that the state has an important role to play, especially in educating its people and protecting human rights.
The one-day workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and took place at the Giraffe Hotel in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.
Ambassador Battle stated that taking severe measures against traffickers is the best way to show that Tanzania neither supports nor tolerates human trafficking.
“I know that Tanzania is absolutely committed to protecting the rights and freedom of women and young people, who are most likely and most often the victims of human trafficking.
If we show equal importance to the prosecution of those who perpetuate trafficking and the protection of the victims, not only will we make life easier for those who are victimized, but we will also teach the perpetrators that in Tanzania, we do not stand for nor tolerate the trafficking of humans. Every single person is a member of our collective family,” the ambassador stated.
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He also highlighted the importance of the private sector, particularly those within the hospitality industry, in engaging in the fight against human trafficking, noting that hotel managers are often on the front line and uniquely positioned to recognize the signs of trafficking and to take swift and decisive action.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of TRI, Adv. Edwin Mugambila, said that as the government puts efforts into fighting against human trafficking, it is high time it works closely with hotels since, by their nature, they have been a crossroads for many, including those seeking to exploit the vulnerable.
According to the CEO, hotels operating in the country should not just be considered as places of comfort but as fortresses against trafficking.
“This training is not just about fulfilling a professional duty; it is about saving lives by equipping hotel managers with the knowledge and tools to identify trafficking.
We want them to be guardians, gatekeepers of safety, and protectors of human dignity. For this to be accomplished, we need a united front,” Advocate Mugambila said.
Additionally, the Advocate noted that after the training, they will issue a human trafficking accreditation certificate to all the hotels that have attended, while asking the government and other stakeholders to prioritize working with those hotels that have earned the certificate.
“It is high time that the government of Tanzania prioritizes working with hotels that have earned a human trafficking accreditation certificate.
We wish to champion the agenda that for any hotel that has never received this training, it will be difficult to work with some stakeholders, including the government.
The certification is not just a symbol; it is a commitment to vigilance, action, and justice. By choosing to work with accredited hotels, we send a powerful message that Tanzania will not tolerate trafficking within its borders,” he noted.
The training was attended by hotel managers from 15 hotels in the country, with experts from the Anti-Trafficking Secretariat and the International Organization for Migration among those presenting topics.
