Thriving Anti-human Trafficking Sentiment

Toumelisan G/Wold

United Nations, at the end of last July, stated that human trafficking is one of the world's most shameful crimes and which robs people of their dignity and basic rights. It said traffickers make an estimated USD 32 billion annuallyTheexploitation of human beings is a highly lucrative business for organized criminal groups and this illicit market affects millions of victims worldwide every year.

In an effort to alleviate the problem of illegal trafficking, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs stated that Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia are striving to conclude an agreement related to the legal migration of workers from Ethiopia to Saudi Arabia. The conclusion of binding agreement has been awaited by thousands of citizens who need to migrate to Arab countries in search of job opportunities.

Ministry’s State Minister, Damene Retta stated that consensus has been reached on close to 80 percent of the agreement. He said citizens who migrated to Saudi Arabia (and all other Arab countries) legally can have better protection of their rights and send their money to their families.

He said the agreement enables to provide protection to the rights of citizens when they are working in Saudi Arabia and hold the country responsible to maltreatment and violation of human rights (it is a secret in public that earlier various allegations had been surfacing on various social media and web sites related to the abuse of rights of migrant workers including Ethiopians).

Nation has been trying to ink an accordwith Saudi Arabia due to the fact that the destination of over 90 percent of Ethiopians is Saudi Arabia. In addition, legal migration of work force has multi-pronged benefit to citizens and the country as well. Efforts being exerted to conclude agreement have been taken as bold step towards ensuring respect of the rights of citizens in foreign countries (andnullify various allegations that Ethiopia had been indifferent to enforce respect of rights of citizens in foreign countries).

The government has showed noticeable commitment to collaboratively work with destination countries. So far, it had concluded labor migration agreements with Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. It is also expected to conclude same agreement with other countries that are thought to be destinations of Ethiopian job seekers.

As a lucrative business, though illegal and immoral, human trafficking is being carried out for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced labor, domestic servitude, child begging or the removal and sell of their organs. Numerous types of human trafficking activitiesmean that there is no singled-out victim profile.

Human trafficking victims are targeted irrespective of gender, age or background. Children, for example, might be trafficked from Africa to Europe for the purpose of begging, prostitution or slavery; while young girls from Africa could be deceived with promises of modeling or au pair jobs only to find themselves trapped in a sea of sexual and pornographic exploitation.

According to UNOCHA, trafficking in human beings is to a large extent a symptom of poverty, unemployment and lack of opportunity. It forces millions of people to look for a better life by moving away from the places they call home. Human trafficking appears to be the worst human development outcome linked to increasing global mobility. It is a form of modern day slavery that is stripping people off their human rights, dignity and freedoms.

Trafficking has been damaging the mental, emotional and physical well being of women and girls ensnared in its web. Beyond physical abuse, trafficked women suffer extreme emotional stress, including shame, grief, fear, distrust and suicidal thoughts. Victims often experience post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and insomnia. Many victims turn to drugs and alcohol to vainly help them abate the pain.

Various international media had stated that Ethiopians are among the ones who are crossing to Europe and Arab countries through the perilous journey of Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean. Being dare devils to brave the harsh journey some had died due to the junky boats of illegal traffickers and capricious weather condition while others saved by rescue workers.

Illegal migrants not only suffer from perilous journey but also risk all their money to cruel brokers and smugglers who used areto bluffing their way by offeringfake promises and persuasions to gullible migrants. Unbearably and indescribably, the migrants may be forced to pay exorbitant sum of money as much as five thousand USD by smugglers who are making arrangements for them.

Most returnees said that some Arab home owners forcefully confiscate their passports and official papers to make them helpless dependents and subjects of modern day slavery. This criminal and illegal activity increases victims' dependence on their home owners and victims to be kept in captivity and debt bondage.

According to UN, some steps should be taken to tackle human trafficking including being alert( if you see anything that you think might be related to trafficking, tell the police or telephone your local anti-trafficking helpline); finding out what is being done to prevent human trafficking in a community;see what you can do and encourage your friends, family and neighbors to be more aware about human trafficking and getting involved.

Seeing its endless harm on all human beings, UN has launched a campaign to combat transnational organized crime of human trafficking. The campaign highlights some of the key threats being posed today by human trafficking(which is among the leading concerns of the world) and called on Government authorities and all segments of society to contribute their own in the fight against organized crime of human trafficking.

As a cooperative member state, Ethiopia has so far undertaken encouraging activities to stem the flood of human trafficking and prevent its negative effects. For instance, it has amended various rules and regulations that could improve the safety of work environment and legal travel to and from the country for the purpose of searching jobs.

Nation believes that increasing public awareness about the issue and supporting victims with necessary services are very crucial to successfully combat trafficking. Particularly, women must be encouraged to participate actively at all levels of social and political affairs of the society to better enhance their awareness about development efforts and job opportunities in their localities.

Thegovernment said anti-human trafficking awareness and sensitization should be strengthened and across the country. Particularly, families in rural and urban areas should be made well aware of the problem toprotect their children from going abroad with the dishonest persuasion of brokers. Besides, families should strive in collaboration with the government and other stakeholders as disorganized effort cannot bring the desired result(the problem is entrenched and exacerbated which could not be prevented by the single-handed effort of the government; the current system of human trafficking is well-organized and elusive changing its face a breast of time and technology).                                      

Enhancing awareness of people about the problems of illegal human trafficking (both in rural and urban areas) is crucial as lasting remedy to the problem. Besides, individuals assigned on administration posts from kebele up to the federal level shouldcoordinate people;disseminateinformation and messages that outlaw human trafficking.

Combating human traffickingis one of the predominant tasks of Ethiopiaand it is arduously striving to desiccate its root cause. To this end, nation is leaving no stone unturned to stamp out illegal human trafficking in collaboration with stakeholders and citizens. As a final resolve, nation has called on citizens to strengthen efforts and contribute their own o prevent human trafficking.