Sunday, December 13, 2009

Kenya ‘lacks laws to fight human trade’

The Slave Market (painting)Image via Wikipedia

Labour minister John Munyes (centre) launches the website on countering human trafficking in January, 2009. Kenya urgently needs legislation to fight human trafficking, an aid agency said on Sunday. FILE

By NATION CorrespondentPosted Sunday, December 13 2009 at 19:47

Kenya urgently needs legislation to fight human trafficking, an aid agency says.

Emergencies such as drought, hunger, civil and political unrest have resulted in a rise in forced displacement, a perfect condition for trafficking, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says.

Kenya has been described as a transit point for traffickers who smuggle people to Europe, Asia, the Middle East and America.

Addressing a press conference in Nairobi, Tal Raviv, IOM’s regional programme development officer, said there was an increase in human trade locally and internationally.

“Tragically, human trafficking is on the increase in Kenya. Victims are caught between favourable conditions for traffickers and lack of proper laws,” Ms Raviv said.

Young girls

IOM’s plea could, however, soon be answered as the Counter Trafficking in Persons Bill has been taken to Parliament by nominated MP Millie Odhiambo and could be debated in February.

Ms Raviv said in Kenya, victims are trafficked locally as well as across borders.

She cited cases of young girls being lured to urban centres with promises of jobs or education but end up as domestic workers or sex slaves.
“There is need for a formal procedure of relocating such children, even if those taking them are known people,” she said.

IOM’s counter trafficking consultant Japheth Kasimbu said human trafficking in Nairobi was flourishing because of an increase in brothels and massage parlours, which exploit foreign young women.

He said the girls are lured from Rwanda, DR Congo, Uganda and Somalia.

Trafficking is the third highest paying organised crime, raking in between $8 billion and $31 billion globally every year, according to the UN and US government.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/822012/-/vo2xjy/-/



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