LAUNCHING OF ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING LAW

UNCLAS LUSAKA 000538

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR G/TIP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ZA PHUM
SUBJECT: LAUNCHING OF ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING LAW

REF: REF: LUSAKA 102


1. On July 28, 2009, the Zambian Minister of Home Affairs
launched the Anti-Human Trafficking Law of 2008, this makes
Zambia one of three SADC countries to enact such a law.
Zambia recognizes the high threat human trafficking poses to
marginalized citizens. In 2007, the International Labor
Organization (ILO) conducted a study on Child Trafficking in
Zambia, which reported Zambia is a source, transfer point,
and destination country for human trafficking within the
region.


2. Amending the penal code to prosecute perpetrators in 2005
was the Government of Zambia's (GRZ) first response to human
trafficking. The GRZ took action again in September 2008,
when the Zambian Parliament enacted Act 11 of 2008, otherwise
known as Anti-Human Trafficking Act, 2008. The Act drew
heavily from the 2003 United Nations Protocol to Prevent,
Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women
and Children to develop clear-cut guidelines for widespread
implementation, prosecution, and prevention in rural and
urban areas. The Act requires a Human Trafficking Committee
to establish national strategies against trafficking, work
with ministries and NGOs, and advise ministers on related
policy matters. The committee includes one representative
from the following five ministries: Labor and Social
Security; Gender and Women in Development; Sport, Youth and
Development; Home Affairs; and Health. The Anti-Human
Trafficking Act of 2008 also supplements the United Nations
Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, credited
for defining human trafficking.


3. The Anti-Human Trafficking Act institutes penalties,
ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment, and sends strong
messages to parents, as courts may suspend parental/guardian
rights if trafficking suspected. Under the Act, government
ministries are responsible for developing adult and children
victim centers to provide counseling, rehabilitation, and
education. The Ministry of Home Affairs must introduce public
awareness programs to promote citizens' rights and publicized
recruitment tactics commonly used by traffickers. If
enforced, the Act could make major strides in reducing
organized crime's prevalence in Zambia. There is no
indication, however, that additional resources were made
available for adequate enforcement in Zambia's current fiscal
year (1/1/09 - 12/31/09).
BOOTH