ONLCT’s Annual Report Highlights Urgent Need for Enhanced Anti-Trafficking Measures
In a stark reminder of the dark legacies of the past, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Slave Trade highlights the ongoing plight of modern-day victims of trafficking. According to a recent report by the National Observatory for the Fight against Transnational Crime (ONLCT): Where is your brother?, the scourge of human trafficking continues to afflict Burundians in the 21st century.
The ONLCT’s 2023 Annual Report reveals a distressing trend: over 16,000 Burundian irregular migrants, including nearly 13,000 women and girls, have been clandestinely deported to various destinations across the Arab Gulf and Africa. Among the most troubling findings is the trafficking of more than 328 Burundian women and girls to Iraq—a new and alarming destination.
This modern form of slavery reflects a grim reality that persists despite international efforts to eradicate it. The ONLCT’s report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive action. Maitre Prime Mbarubukeye, President and Legal Representative of ONLCT, is calling on the Burundian government to enhance national coordination among anti-trafficking stakeholders to streamline efforts and prevent overlapping interventions. Additionally, Mbarubukeye advocates for stronger regional judicial cooperation to combat trafficking and irregular migration effectively.
“The fight against human trafficking requires a united front,” Mbarubukeye states. “By strengthening regional synergy, we can disrupt trafficking networks and protect vulnerable individuals.”
As Burundi grapples with these challenges, the ONLCT urges immediate action to address these severe issues. The ongoing trafficking crisis not only demands national attention but also highlights the need for broader regional collaboration to safeguard the rights and dignity of those at risk.