Seychelles’ resolve to combat trafficking in persons hailed |01 February 2014

Seychelles’ resolve to fight against trafficking in persons has been hailed by the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Dr Joy Ngozi Ezeilo.

Dr Ezeilo is in Seychelles to study the situation and formulate recommendations to prevent and combat trafficking in persons.

She underlined Seychelles’ resolve to fight against such crime as reflected by the country’s ratification of several conventions and protocol related to this matter.

But she also suggested that the country should accelerate its efforts in putting appropriate mechanisms in place for such purpose.

These were revealed in Dr Ezeilo’s preliminary findings on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, she presented to the press in a press conference this week.

Dr Ezeilo reiterated her appreciation towards President James Michel for his interest shown in her visit and for personally engaging himself in this fight which she said shows a strong demonstration of his political will and leadership to address the phenomenon.

“I appreciate the strong leadership taken by the President to fight this phenomenon and ensure it doesn’t take root in Seychelles. I will be counting on his political will to ensure urgent action is taken and in particular towards implementation of my findings,” said Dr Ezeilo.

She also acknowledged the phenomenon of trafficking in persons in Seychelles is at best insidious, remains hidden as a result of lack of awareness.

To remedy this situation she suggested the setting up of comprehensive training programmes with support from interested partners, including donor organisations and other governments to enhance knowledge and awareness of human trafficking for all stakeholders, especially the police, the defence forces, the immigration and border agents, prosecutors, judges and lawyers as well as labour inspectors, the civil society including the media on reporting on effective trafficking in persons.

She also suggested training in providing assistance and care to victims and to use multi-media approach to create public awareness about all forms of trafficking in persons.

“Yes Seychelles is an island but not an island out of reach of traffickers and their nefarious activities in today’s globalised world where transnational crimes continue to challenge and shame humanity. Thus proactive measures and vigilance must be taken to avoid making this beautiful island a passage or haven for traffickers,” Dr Ezeilo concluded.