Anti-Human Trafficking Rights Activists Smile at Passing of Trafficking in Persons Bill

Anti-Human Trafficking Rights Activists Smile at Passing of Trafficking in Persons Bill

Human Rights Activists against human trafficking have expressed satisfaction upon the passing of Trafficking in Parsons Bill, a legislation which is going to punish all those found doing any illegal transportation of persons for exploitation.

Maxwell Matewere President for Southern Africa Network against Trafficking and Child Abuse (SANTAC) said “I am very excited that the members of parliament and government have responded positively to our call for Malawi to enact the law which will curtail human trafficking.”

“For some time we have behave as if we don’t care about the suffering that goes through with human trafficking.” He said, “We have witnessed so many cases where the victims have ended up losing their organs and life. So human trafficking is very associated with an imaginable abuse and violence’s and now when we witness the enactment of this important bill it really brings hope to Malawians and us service providers.”

“In addition this makes it easier for the prosecutors in the police so that all that will be found trafficking a person shall be charged and tried through this important human trafficking legislation” said Matewere

Reacting to the same, Habiba Osman Gender Justice Programme coordinator for Norwegian Church appreciated all legislatures for passing the long waited bill “As part and parcel of the team and players that has been involved in issues of addressing anti-trafficking interventions I am very excited for this historical occasion that has happened in the House”

Speaking of her expectations following the passing of the bill Osman said “Our expectations are that now those faceless victims, those survivors as well as our law enforcement agencies will be able to do their work properly because our cry has been that the victim has not been given adequate support, our cry has been that how can traffickers be walking without any fines or penalties.”

She added “This law will make sure that all those people that are trafficking others are punished adequately and they are compensating even the victim so this is also a law that is going to be a victim centered”

Norwegian Church Aid Appeals for Passing Trafficking in Persons Bill

Norwegian Church Aid Appeals for Passing Trafficking in Persons Bill

The Norwegian Church Aid has appealed to Members of Parliament to pass Trafficking in Persons Bill without hesitation once it is presented in the house on Thursday.

The bill is already appearing on order paper and is expected to be presented in the house this Thursday.

Cases of human trafficking are increasing in the country due to lack of specific legislation to curb such illegal practice. Last month 13 children the youngest being 6 years old were trafficked from Zomba to Mozambique and in Phalombe, Police have been involved in rescue operations with Mozambican authorities and more than  124 children have been rescued but some of these were mutilated their genitals according Norwegian Church Aid information.

Habiba Osman Gender Justice Programme coordinator for Norwegian Church Aid says current proposed legislation contains necessary provisions that can help to end the human trafficking which is rampant in Malawi in all regions and most vulnerable areas being border districts due to porous boundaries.

Habiba said Malawi is the only country in SADC region that does not have a comprehensive law on trafficking “There has been no specific legislation that prosecutes traffickers adequately” but assured “current proposed law is a good one” and hoped that the National Assembly will do the “need full” to pass this legislation.

She said absence of the legislation puts everyone in a vulnerable to trafficking and that everyone is living in fear. She therefore pleaded that, MPs should debate the bill of trafficking with sober mind and seriousness taking into account that trafficking is happening everywhere in the country.

“This legislation should be passed even without debate” she added

“It is my deepest call that when the bill reaches parliament members of parliament should not sent it back but should pass it” reacted Maxwell Matewere President for Southern Africa Network against Trafficking and Child Abuse (SANTAC)

He said “This bill is very important because it is supporting the victims through care programmes and rehabilitation and sheltering programmes among others. This is also important for the collaboration with other countries where prosecution will also be easy if for example Malawi arrests traffickers from other countries or Malawian traffickers arrested elsewhere”