Local NGOs enhance their knowledge of human trafficking |13 October 2017

The government of Seychelles does not fully meet the minimum standard for the elimination of human trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated increasing efforts by initiating its first investigation and prosecution under the anti-trafficking law, conducting more anti-trafficking training, identifying and assisting more trafficking victims, and allocating a budget for the national anti-trafficking committee.

To enhance our knowledge about such important subjects two experts from the U.S. Department of State to combat and monitor trafficking in persons -- Julie Hicks and Rendi Mcay -- met some local NGOs to discuss new ideas to tackle human trafficking.

The presentation took place at the Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles (Ceps) office, Orion Mall on Wednesday afternoon.

In Seychelles the most common form of human trafficking is forced labour.

Ms Hicks stated that human trafficking can be found in every country around the world.

“Human trafficking can be found in all countries. In Seychelles the most common form of human trafficking is forced labour. Sometimes it is hard to detect human trafficking, due to the fact it is a hidden crime, and with no evidence we can’t stop it. NGOs can also provide necessary help for people in need, by educating the people on human trafficking and providing them with the necessary contact to seek for higher help,” she said.

Victims of forced labour, which is a widespread form of trafficking, come primarily from developing countries. They are recruited and trafficked using deception and coercion and find themselves held in conditions of slavery in a variety of jobs. Men, women are engaged in agricultural, fisheries and construction work, along with domestic servitude and other labour-intensive jobs.

Trafficking in persons is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad. Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. 

Besides forced labour, the other common forms of human trafficking are trafficking in women for sexual exploitation, commercial sexual exploitation of children, trafficking for tissue, cells and organs and people smuggling.