Rwanda's First Lady Calls For Multi-faceted Fight Against Human Trafficking, Reports KT Press

    KIGALI, RWANDA, October 13, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The fight against human trafficking will not be easy if other related vices such as drug abuse and gender-based violence are not tackled concurrently, Rwanda's First Lady Jeannette Kagame has told a national consultative forum.

"We must understand the correlation of these issues, their consequences and establish our role as parents in fighting them," she said. "We need to address different facets: What role are the concerned institutions playing? Or the community in general? What is lacking to eradicate human trafficking?"

Mrs Kagame was speaking on October 10 at a national conference bringing together parliamentarians, security, central and local administration. This was organized following a red flag raised by President Paul Kagame, after a spate of incidents.

The First Lady said human trafficking is a huge global industry with up to 1.2 million people falling prey. "In sub-Saharan Africa, 'people trafficking' is getting to worrying levels," said Mrs Kagame.

Government data shows that since 2009, police has foiled 36 cases of human trafficking, rescuing over 150 victims. More than 60 were Rwandans - most of whom were females. The largest single case involved 54 victims of Bangladeshi nationality rescued in a Kigali suburb, in December 2010.

Police say they uncovered up to twelve well-furnished houses in Kigali which were being used as transit centers for trafficking of girls. Nyagatare district in eastern Rwanda - bordering Uganda is a major transit area, as well as the Musanze district, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Once sold, the youth, primarily under-18 are forced into prostitution and pornography. Some are deliberately killed for their organs.

Some girls have been trafficked to Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi where they are sold off for marriage. Others are promised well paid jobs to Middle East and Africa, and forced to work as prostitutes.

Officials suggested an extensive sensitization campaign targeting the village level. The First Lady said an ancient-old practice whereby children belonged to the entire community, needs to be brought back.

Human trafficking is a criminal offense in Rwanda - attracting up to five years in jail. Compared to regional neighbours, it is less prevalent in Rwanda, according to the German-based Alfred Weber Institute of Economics annual 3P Index based on UN and US State Department data.

# # #