Stakeholders in West Africa have been urged to work in synergy to combat human trafficking as well as cushion the effects in the region.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Laurent De Boek, who made the call at a workshop on the exchange and sharing of experiences in the fight against trafficking, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, also said that the meeting was apt.
“Synergy is very important for countries in the West African region to fight against trafficking in persons and therefore, this visit is very timely as it comes at a time when NAPTIP will be commemorating 20 years of being in existence and has been instrumental in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria. One of the key aims of this study visit is to strengthen the government’s efforts, particularly in terms of sub-regional cooperation, in the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants. The six days study visit will focus on the achievements, challenges and prospects of the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria.”
De Boek, also reiterated the commitment to partner with Nigeria in the fight against trafficking.
“The ultimate objective is to develop a comprehensive national data collection system on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, in line with international standards and guidelines for administrative data on trafficking. Let me reiterate IOM’s commitment to supporting the Government of Nigeria in migration management and NAPTIP in the fight against trafficking in persons. IOM is supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) in addressing the root causes of irregular migration, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, ranging from the need to strengthen efforts in behavioural change communication interventions, and providing socio-economic opportunities to returned migrants and their communities of origin. Leveraging on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 10:7 and 17, IOM is also supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria in providing post arrival, reception and protection assistance to over 30,000 Nigerians in which 4,000 are victims of trafficking (VoTs). IOM also supports policy, coordination and cooperation amongst Government and nongovernment actors (nationally and internationally) through the development and operationalization of relevant policies and strategies including.” He added
Declaring the workshop open, the Director-General National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Dr. Fatima Waziri – Azi, stressed the need for shared value in protecting human rights.
“Human trafficking and its multi-dimensional effect is a crime that affects every country. Although proportionality and strength may differ, trafficking in persons has continued to threaten the existence of humanity, which is why it is imperative we cooperate in the best interest of our citizens and all of society. The way we used to think about human trafficking has evolved into microcosms of much bigger problems. Our shared value in protecting human right must continue to be thee guiding g principle for our cooperation for mutual benefits”. Waziri Azi said
For his part the Regional project Manager Expertise France, Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Modeste Krah, noted that his country was committed to working with Nigeria fight tracking.
“Both Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria find themselves graphing with migration flows, serving as countries of origin, transit and destination. A detesting reality is that large number of the victims of trafficking rescued and cared for would have been trajectory to trafficking for sexual exploitation of Nigeria nationals. Such complexity pose immense challenges in the identification of victims and prosecution of traffickers, necessitating the concerted collaborative efforts between our two countries, the bilateral cooperation agreement signed between signed between Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria, provides us with strategic frame work to join action in the fight against tracking and smuggling to effectively implement the provisions of this agreement, we are committed to establishing a joint committee comprising of equal representation from both side to monitor and evaluate the action undertaking in line with the objectives of our agreement”. He noted
The study visit is part of the “Providing Assistance To Victims Of Trafficking And Smuggling Of Migrants,” project, funded by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, implemented by IOM Côte d’Ivoire in close collaboration with the National Committee for the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons in Cote d’Ivoire.
PIAK
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