• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

The government of Burundi is committed to the fight against human trafficking

ByWebmaster

Sep 25, 2022

BUJUMBURA September 20th (ABP) – The National Commission for Consultation and Monitoring for the Prevention and Suppression of Trafficking in Persons (CCSPRTP) of Burundi, and the National Authority for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (INLCTP) of Tunisia, is organizing from September 19-23, 2022 in Bujumbura, a workshop for the exchange of expertise on the fight against human trafficking between Tunisia and Burundi.

In his speech, the Speaker of the national consultation and monitoring commission for the prevention and repression of human trafficking Colonel Epitace Masumbuko first recalled that human trafficking is a serious violation of human rights which has serious consequences for its victims. According to him, most of the victims are women and children considered as a vulnerable group of trafficking. It is often observed in several forms including sexual exploitation and forced labour. He also added that human trafficking is one of the world’s fastest growing revenue streams, with victims finding themselves deprived of their dignity, freedom and fundamental rights. Human trafficking is a violation of human rights that deserves special attention to ensure its eradication, he stressed.

In terms of the fight against human trafficking, Burundi has just been classified at level 2, which is, according to Mr. Masumbuko, a satisfactory level that opens the way to direct cooperation between Burundi and the United States of America. He did not fail to point out that apart from the establishment of the national consultation commission (CCSPRTP) which is responsible for developing the national plan of activities over five years, the government of Burundi has put in place banks for women and young people to enable the latter to have autonomy, explaining that poverty is often at the root of this trafficking. The government of Burundi is also committed to combating human trafficking by making progress on the 4 pillars, including prevention through awareness-raising, protection of victims through investigations, partnership and coordination.

Regarding cooperation, Burundi has already ratified an agreement with Saudi Arabia where Burundians will have an opportunity to legally work in this country. The national consultation commission (CCSPRTP) is at the level of the creation of private companies that will facilitate that placement of labor in Saudi Arabia only where the agreement with the government of Burundi exists. He took advantage of this opportunity to arrest private companies that have given themselves permission to recruit and train those who want to go to work in Saudi Arabia, arguing that those companies have not received permission from the competent bodies.

Mr. Masumbuko did not forget to point out that during the 5 days, we will share the experience in relation to the fight against human trafficking with the Tunisian delegation, explaining that Tunisia was chosen because of the efforts that it has deployed in the fight against human trafficking.

The chairman of the national authority for the fight against trafficking in persons in Tunisia, Mrs. Raoudha Laabidi, said that the visit of the Tunisian delegation to Burundi within the framework of the INLCTP will contribute to strengthening coordination and partnership. That visit also aims to promote the exchange of experiences in order to guarantee the protection of victims and their integration as well as the repression of criminal networks.