Nigeria's House of Representatives to probe rising human trafficking, trafficking networks
SpeakOX News
The House of Representatives in Nigeria has resolved to investigate the growing issue of human trafficking and trafficking networks within the country. The lawmakers expressed concern over the exploitation of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, through fraudulent recruitment and irregular migration.
Background
Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights and dignity, involving the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or obtaining of persons through force, coercion, deception, exploitation of vulnerability, or other unlawful means for the purpose of exploitation.
Proposed Measures
The House of Representatives has tasked its Committees on Human Rights, Interior, and Police Affairs to investigate the scale and patterns of human trafficking in Nigeria.
The committees will assess the effectiveness of existing measures to combat the crime and identify challenges faced by agencies responsible for combating human trafficking.
Activism and Collaboration
The lawmakers urged relevant government agencies, civil society organizations, local and international partners, and community leaders to collaborate and increase public awareness on the dangers of human trafficking and fraudulent recruitment methods.
The call for collaboration comes as the Federal Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders are urged to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies and provide adequate funding to combat human trafficking.
Victims' Rights and Rehabilitation
The House of Representatives emphasized the need for the protection of the rights of trafficking victims and rehabilitation programs for those affected.
The lawmakers emphasized the importance of providing support to victims, including medical, psychological, and legal assistance, as well as vocational training and employment opportunities.
Existing Laws and Legislation
The House of Representatives noted that the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2003 and the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking of 2017 provide robust frameworks for combating human trafficking.
The lawmakers called on the Federal Government to enforce the existing laws and ensure that relevant agencies, including NAPTIP, work together to combat the issue.
International Cooperation
The House of Representatives urged the Federal Government to strengthen international cooperation with other countries to combat human trafficking, particularly those with high rates of human trafficking.
The lawmakers emphasized the need for Nigeria to collaborate with international partners to share intelligence, intelligence-sharing platforms, and best practices to tackle the issue.
Victims' Support Services
The House of Representatives called for the establishment of victims' support services that provide medical, psychological, legal, vocational training, and employment opportunities for victims.
The lawmakers emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of trafficking, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, alongside support for victims.
Recommendations
The House of Representatives resolved to:
- Ensure the enforcement of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2003 and the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking of 2017.
- Collaborate with international partners to share intelligence, intelligence-sharing platforms, and best practices to tackle human trafficking.
- Establish victims' support services that provide medical, psychological, legal, vocational training, and employment opportunities for victims.
- Address the root causes of trafficking, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, alongside providing support for victims.
The lawmakers called on the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, including the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Nigeria Police Force, to combat human trafficking effectively.
The House of Representatives emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of trafficking, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, alongside support for victims.
Concerns
- The lawmakers expressed concern over the rising cases of human trafficking, particularly in the north-eastern states.
- They expressed concern over the exploitation of women, children, and other vulnerable groups by organized criminal networks.
- The lawmakers expressed concern over the inadequate support for victims and the need for a more robust strategy to tackle the issue.
The lawmakers called for a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of trafficking, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of education, alongside
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
