NGA: In the year 2000, the international community adopted the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, with July 30th set aside to mark it.
As part of a commitment to commemorate it, the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Nigeria has called for urgent and comprehensive action by national and state actors against human trafficking.
IHRC’s Ambassador-at-Large/Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, in his statement through the Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Mr. Fidelis Onakpoma, said human trafficking is one of the most heinous crimes of our time.
According to him, human trafficking undermines the security of states because it is related to organized crime and corruption, and because some traffickers deal not only in people but also in drugs, weapons, and other goods.
But most obviously, trafficking violates the human rights of trafficked persons who are exploited, raped, and sometimes killed.
Dr. Duru noted that the International Human Rights Commission-IHRC in Nigeria has an MOU with the National Prohibition for the Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), working together in the fight against human trafficking across the Nigerian States.
He said the fight against human trafficking has three components: the prosecution of traffickers, the protection of trafficked persons, and the prevention of trafficking.
He further urged governments not to leave any child behind in the fight against human trafficking but rather explore comprehensive action by establishing a task force on human trafficking in respective states to help in identifying victims, investigating networks, disrupting operations, and prosecuting traffickers.
“The force should comprise of major state actors such as the Attorney General/Commissioner of Justice, NAPTIP, Commissioners of Women Affairs and Information, the NDLEA, Officers of the Nigeria Police and Migration, amongst others”, he maintained.
Reported:
Fidelis Onakpoma
Head Media and Strategic Communications IHRC Nigeria
