-Ahead of World Day against Trafficking in person today.
By: Jerromie S. Walters
Ahead of the today’s official celebration of the World Day against Trafficking in person, the Ministry of Labour with support from UN Women, over the weekend, conducted an awareness program in the Borough of New Kru Town, as part of efforts to educate the public about human trafficking.
The event which was held at the Municipal Building, in Borough of New Kru Town, on Saturday, July 29, 2023, was graced by the Borough’s leadership, concisely the District Youth President, the President of the Federation of Borough’s Women, staff of the Ministry of Labour, as well as scores of residents of the Borough.
In a lecture session on the significance of the World Day against trafficking in person, the Director of Trafficking in Person, The Ministry of Labour Director of trafficking in person Secretariat, Adolphus G. Satiah, firstly termed the act as an illegal migration of individuals from one country to another, with an assurance of better living.
He encouraged residents of the Township to report acts of trafficking, whether at local or international level. “When you see those kinds of things, firstly investigate, and if it is trafficking, call the police and if you can’t reach the police, call the Ministry of Labour, “he encouraged.
He has huge confidence in the Police’s ability to handle trafficking case, as such, he admonished the residents to always report the right cases. Upon being informed, he said the police will firstly look for the visibility of the act to authenticate the crime, and if the person is truly involved, they will ensure that the alleged perpetrator is arrested, sent for further investigation, and prosecuted if found guilty. “Before, the first law say one year, but the new law, it says the minimum sentence is 20 years to life imprisonment,” he added.
As part of government’s efforts, he said they have worked on documents to include the “Situational Analysis”, as it was revealed that the act is being exhibited in Liberia. In concurrence with the government’s efforts, its actions plans contains and strategically considers Prevention, protection, persecution and partnership.
He said the government also has the Standard Operating Procedure to combat trafficking. In it contains the role of the Ministry of Gender, Labour, Justice Health and the Liberia Immigration Service. Among other documents are the National Referrer Mechanism.
Additionally, he told the residents that the government currently has safe homes for victims of human trafficking, that’s being spearhead separately by the Ministry of Gender and Labour. He also warned the residents against mocking victims of human trafficking.
As a vivid demonstration to the dreadfulness of trafficking, Bendu Malley, one of the survivors of trafficking narrated her terrible experience in Oma, something that left the entire audience in sorrow for minutes long, while others couldn’t hold back but to embrace her while lamenting.
Earlier in the overview of the occasion, the audience was informed that the event was intended to raise awareness against Human Trafficking. According to him, the awareness has been conducted in other counties, but Montserrado County was chosen for the recent awareness because this is an election year, and the Borough of New Kru Town, because they are strategically placed.
It was also intended to ensure that the good message against Human Trafficking is spread by the community dwellers ahead of the main event today.
