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Momodou
Denmark
11734 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Sep 2007 : 19:06:45
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New Law Criminalizes Human Trafficking
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
A new law, "Trafficking in Person bill 2007," which aims to criminalize human trafficking has been enacted by the National Assembly on Thursday, September 6.
This bill seeks to prevent, suppress and punish those engaged in the trafficking in person and also to rehabilitate and integrate of victims of trafficking.
Introducing the bill before the deputies, Kebba Sanyang, the Secretary of State for Justice said human trafficking is a twenty first century slave trade driven by the continuous global demand for cheap labour and commercial sexual exploitation.
The Secretary of State stated that trafficking in persons in the Gambia has become a cause for concern. Mr. Sanyang explained that lack of understanding of the matter has been affecting efforts to combact it in the country. He said The Gambia in a bid to curb the menace has signed numerous multi and bi-lateral agreements.
"The Department of State for Justice is chairing a national taskforce to combat trafficking in The Gambia. This taskforce consists of law enforcement agencies, the Department of immigration, the Department of Social Welfare, the Chief Protection Alliance which is a non-governmental organisation and UNIC EF, to name a few," Mr. Sanyang announced.
He said the Act will establish a national agency against trafficking in persons, which will be responsible for administering the bill, monitoring the immigration and emigration among government departments and among others. The Secretary of State said the bill provides for a minimum of fifteen years jail term or life in jail in addition to a fine upon conviction for the offence.
Haddy Nyang Njie of Jeshwang, who seconded the bill, commended the Secretary of State for what she called a "laudable bill". She described human trafficking as the worst form of human right violation, which Africans have been bearing the brunt from the days of the slave trade to present day phenomenon.
The Member for Niamina West Lamin Jadama said human trafficking is one of the ugliest manifestations of organised crime and the bill is a comprehensive law that will curb the problem.
Sidia Jatta of Wuli West said human trafficking is the newest form of slavery though the phenomenon is giving a new name today, but the trend is the same. Sellu Bah of Basse urged his fellow parliamentarians to support and consider the bill.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No 108/2007, 14 - 16 September 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Sister Omega
United Kingdom
2085 Posts |
Posted - 15 Sep 2007 : 20:25:51
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This Bill is to be commended it is a travesty to see the unnecessary death and suffering which these traffickers cause. Although a 15 year sentence will be a serious deterrent to curtail the trade in Human Trafficking. I think government can do much more to educate the Gambia Public about the reality of the hazards people face if they are still tempted to take the risk. Therefore more public information on the issue needs to be circulated to encourage debate on the issue and greater awareness about life in the west. This is where the media can actually contribute by producing documentaries on the issue.
As Gambia has now introduced this Bill other Africa countries may also follow suite, which is a step in the right direction. I think it's also important for African countries to use some leverage by lobbying EU countries to introduce more ethical visa requirements. At present Gordon Brown the UK Prime Minister, is going to introduce more immigration restrictions on Non-EU citizen, which will only permit those who are skilled with A-C English language. My concern is how much EU Tax payers money contributed to the education of those Non- EU citizens? The Answer is probably very little or non and who will be the beneficiaries of it? If African invests in it's human resources and the West reaps the profits through brain-drain. How can this be sustainable development when poor countries are forced to be dependent on remittance from relatives who live aboard? Without opportunities to alleviate poverty many more people will be still tempted to risk 15 years in prison for easy money. And many more youth will risk death in search of money.
Peace
Sister Omega |
Peace
Sister Omega |
Edited by - Sister Omega on 15 Sep 2007 20:47:13 |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 17 Sep 2007 : 11:44:04
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once again sister omega has given us food for thought, but let me look at this other side, if some developing coutries took care of their own they would nto be desparate to leave, they pay a small fortunate to smugglers to get to europe, a bit more or even a lot more education would help, less corruption between all parties, better infrastructure locally, regional and internatioanlly would bring down basrries to trade with in the continent.
think about this how easy is it to move goods across gambia, what happens ifyouwant to take your good from gambia to sierra leone, how many pieces of paper are needed. I do support britain and other countries who want to cut back on the amount of immgrants coming in. look at china, boatloads, trains loads, airplanes loads are leaving all heading for Europe, why they have resources at home but are nto encourage, there is always some local barrier to progression.
people often talk about how much the remittances from abroad help the local economy, why, the locals should be encourage to help themselves. Each person here has sent money abroad to fund something small but necessary, why cannot their be better support on the grassroots level.
lots could be done to make more entising to stay home, more encouragement, training, better infrastructure, telecommunications, road, rail, sea and air should be brought up todate. Fortress europe will happen in our lifetimes, watch the signals, France led the way, northren european countries norway and denmark will follow.
Look at the price they charge for Visa, a barrier to application this could be done for free, if the answer is no so be it, if the answer is yes then charge.
Human Trafficking is the responsibility of the government that are not being accountable, look at Zimbabwe, the small number leaving will turn into a human tide, eastern africa whole communities are being "trafficked".
people can look at the big picture, but read the small print. |
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