BUJUMBURA, November 8th (ABP) – The First Deputy President of the Republic of Burundi, Mr. Gaston Sindimwo, opened in Bujumbura on November 6, 2018, an advisory workshop on the development of a business plan aimed at preventing and suppressing human trafficking in Burundi. He said that human trafficking is a crime that affects everyone because of the many problems it poses. In order to fight effectively against the networks of human dealers, he added, it is necessary to work in synergy with the technical and financial partners involved in the fight against human trafficking. He also reminded those responsible for police force and public prosecutors that as criminal justice actors, they have the opportunity to prosecute human dealers, and that everyone must do this in the respect of the law.
The First Deputy President of the Republic pointed out that respect for the dignity of victims of trafficking as well as the protection of their fundamental rights, whatever their status, will remain a permanent priority of the Government of Burundi. The latter, he continued, is aware of the high degree of interdependence among nations in dealing with common challenges that impact the lives of vulnerable populations.According to Mr. Sindimwo, this form of crime ignores borders. Criminal justice must therefore go beyond or cross borders. According to him, the government of Burundi is alongside all partners, both public and private, who are trying to fight against this crime, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) which, through its multifaceted supports, spares no effort to support the Government of Burundi in this matter.
“Trafficking in human beings is a scourge that affects every country in the world. Trafficked women, children and men are being exploited to undermine their basic dignity and fundamental rights, “said Ms. A.J Morgen, IOM Chief of Mission in Burundi. She further stated that those victims endure violence and irreversible trauma. IOM, she said, works closely with all partners to ensure that migration takes place in order and respect for human dignity. She took the opportunity to indicate that IOM covers several aspects of migration, including refugee resettlement, the displacement tracking matrix, shelter assistance needs and health.
Ms. Morgen said that the workshop was important because it brought together different actors to develop a coordinated response to human trafficking in Burundi. In order to prevent human trafficking, she said, prosecution of criminals and assistance to victims are essential elements in the eradication of it.
