Impunity and lack of accountability are serious threats to Guinea-Bissau’s concerted efforts to combat the prevalence of trafficking in persons and strong, urgent measures are needed, a UN expert said today.
“The administration of justice must be strengthened to ensure accountability for the serious crime and serious human rights violation of all forms of trafficking, particularly affecting children,” Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, said in a at the end of an 11-day visit to the country.
Mullally said child poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to quality education, contribute to serious risks of child trafficking. “Girls are particularly at risk of exploitation as domestic workers, trafficked for purposes of domestic servitude from rural to urban areas, and at high risk of sexual exploitation.”
The Special Rapporteur said children in street situations, exploited in begging, and selling goods, are also especially at risk. “With the growth of the tourism sector, particularly in the Bijagos islands, risks of child trafficking for sexual exploitation are significant,” Mullally said. “The prevalence of child labour also increases risks of trafficking in the agriculture sector in particular.”
The Special Rapporteur highlighted risks of trafficking in the context of migration, and the need for greater international cooperation to expand safe regular migration routes particularly for young people, to prevent exploitation.
While welcoming the Government’s commitment to combat trafficking in persons and the adoption of a new national strategic plan, the Special Rapporteur said limited financial resources, weak child protection systems, and continuing impunity enable child trafficking to persist. “Despite reports of child trafficking consistently arising, and initiation of investigations, impunity is widespread,” she said.
The expert also reflected on risks to trafficking in persons for purposes of forced marriage, and sexual exploitation faced by women and girls due to gender inequality, discrimination and violence.
“The need for gender, child sensitive and trauma informed criminal justice procedures is evident, and continued efforts are urgently needed to strengthen access to justice particularly in rural areas, ensuring gender equality and the rights, safety and dignity of victims.”
The expert also highlighted the need for strengthened protection of workers’ rights, and enforcement of labour protections in high-risk sectors such as domestic work, agriculture, fisheries and mining. “Domestic workers are at high risk of forced labour, and sexual exploitation,” Mullally said.
“The role of civil society, trade unions and lawyers must be strengthened”, the expert said. She was particularly concerned at the lack of comprehensive assistance and protection measures for victims.
