Maria David
“TRAFFICKING in Persons has become a huge global modern-day slavery across the world.”
Sadly, according to the UNODC global report on Trafficking in Persons of 2022, approximately 450 000 victims and 300 000 (potential) perpetrators of Trafficking in Persons were detected globally between 2003 and 2021.
Deputy Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, in a speech read on her behalf, said that Namibia is committed to the fight against TIP.
“Hence Namibia ratified the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children in 2002.”
“To further domesticate the Protocol,” Nandi-Ndaitwah indicated that Namibia enacted a Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018 (Act No. 1 of 2018). Section 3 of the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018 (Act No 1 of 2018) covers all forms of trafficking indicated in the Protocol.
“In addition to the Combatting of Trafficking In Persons Act, 2018, other national laws include Combating of Rape Act, 2000 (Act No. 8 of 2000); Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 2004 (Act No. 29 of 2004); Labour Act, 2007 (Act No. 11 of 2007); Immigration Control Act, 1993 (Act No. 7 of 1993); Child Care and Protection Act, 2015 (Act No.3 of 2015).”
Since 2010 to date, a total of 101 cases of trafficking in persons have been reported in Namibia, of which 38 are under investigation, 24 are on the courts roll awaiting trial, 5 cases have been submitted to the Prosecutor-General for her decision, and 34 cases have been finalized.
She added that Namibia continues to implement the National Referral Mechanism and Standard Operating Procedures on Trafficking in Persons.
“A total of 44 suspected victims of different nationalities were rescued from being trafficked in Namibia.”
“The victims were found in two vessels at a hub in Erongo.”
This was revealed by Prosecutor General Martha Imalwa during the commemoration of World Day Trafficking In Person (TIP) at the border town of Helao Nafidi in Oshikango.
Imalwa said that it was not easy to provide protection and assistance to such a large number of suspected victims; however, through coordinated efforts of different government institutions as well as non-governmental institutions, shelter was secured for those people.
“The suspected victims were provided with medical and psychosocial assistance,” she said.
She added that they also provided them with food and warm clothing and assisted in getting wages owed to them.
Imalwa indicated that all the suspected victims of human trafficking were repatriated back to their respective countries.
“Since 2015, Imalwa said that 8 traffickers have been convicted and serving their prison terms.”
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