In the National Assembly Seychelles remains committed, making great strides towards combating human trafficking |05 August 2021
Seychelles is making great strides towards combating human trafficking and this is evident in the increasing number of prosecutions and convictions so far this year, Internal Affairs Minister Errol Fonseka informed the National Assembly yesterday morning.
The minister said this in a statement to coincide with the World Day AgainstTrafficking in Persons which was marked on July 30.
He noted that Seychelles is engaged in the war to combat human trafficking, a crime which takes many formsincludingexploitation of migrant workersand sexual exploitation.
“This year, Seychelles is proud that its position on the human rights list has improved, from a Tier 2 watch list to Tier 2. Seychelles has made great progress in the implementation of measures relating to prosecution and conviction in matters of human trafficking. For instance, in 2020, there was one prosecutionas compared to 12 so far this year. There have been three convictions so far this year compared to zero in 2020. This doesn’t mean that human trafficking is on the rise, but it just goes to show that we are more proactive than before,” Minister Fonseka stated.
As part of the government’s efforts to further improve Seychelles’ ranking and tackle such crimes, the ministry in April established a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) secretariat, in accordance with the Prohibition of the Trafficking in Persons Act 2014. The secretariat is directed by Ina Laporte. Prior to the establishment of the secretariat, the principal secretary for social affairs Linda William-Melanie directed the national TIP committee as the chairperson.
Over the month of July, the secretariat initiated a three-day training programme in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) to evaluate the efficacy of the legal framework and policiesespecially when it comes to prevention and prosecution from such crimes.
On July 30, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the secretariat launched a hotline114, making it possible for suspected cases of human trafficking to be reported.
“Thisfight especially needs the cooperation of all government departmentsand non-governmental organisations (NGOs). It is important for all departments to have a role to play in fighting human trafficking,for examplethe police, immigration, employment, institutions for human rights and non-governmental organisations (NGO) and for them to understand and appreciate the limit of regulations of their respective departments. This will allow for the TIP secretariat to accomplish its objectives and mandate with efficacy,” Minister Fonseka explained.
“Seychelles has reaffirmed its commitment and engagement through numerous related international conventionswhich it has signed, namely the UN Convention, Universal Ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime, and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Against Women and Children,” Minister Fonseka highlighted.
According to Ms Laporte, the Attorney General’s office is working towards incorporating into the TIP legislative framework provisions for witness protection. She also noted the existence of a special task force which was inducted yesterday comprising members from different concerned agencieswith which the secretariat will coordinate activities.
To conclude Minister Fonseka called on members of the Assembly to give their support to the secretariat and the ministry in its endeavours to educate the public in the fight against TIP crimes in Seychelles.
Laura Pillay