Eswatini Prime Minister launches strategic framework and action plan on human trafficking

Prime Minister in the Kingdom of Eswatini, His Excellency Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, today launched the National Strategic Framework and Action Plan to Combat People Trafficking 2019-2023.

The launch of the Strategic Framework and Action Plan coincided with the Commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with the theme, ‘Human Trafficking: Call your Government to action.”The action plan, supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aims to upscale prevention measures, effectively empower law enforcement agencies and facilitate prosecution of criminals.

The plan addresses amongst other priorities, the current gaps in the victim protection measures, by advocating for a victim-centred approach as one of the guiding principles. Mr Dlamini highlighted that the framework will guide stakeholders on their respective roles and responsibilities in fighting human trafficking. “I implore all role players to honour their obligations, take collective responsibility and deliver in accordance with their specific intuitional mandates,” stated the Prime Minister.

UNODC Regional Director, Ms. Zhuldyz Akisheva, commended the Government of Eswatini for making significant strides in combating human trafficking. “We believe the commemoration theme resonates very well with the actions of the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini who have shown tremendous efforts in the response to Trafficking in Persons,” she stated. “This is evidenced amongst other things, by the trafficking in Persons Judgements that are beginning to emanate from the kingdom of Eswatini which show that the government has taken a serious stance against the perpetrators of TIP.”

In her remarks, UN Eswatini Resident Coordinator, Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh reiterated the commitment of the UN in supporting government in a range of strategic areas as guided by the needs of the country and the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We remain committed to preventing and suppressing trafficking in persons as well as assisting Eswatini in bring traffickers to justice and providing adequate support to the victims,” she stated.  She added that the theme highlights the urgent need to step up responses to the trafficking of children and young people across the world. “The call to action is primarily addressed to Governments; however, we do encourage every individual, every group, every organization to take action to prevent and combat prevent this heinous crime,” she said.

The United States Embassy Political/Economic Chief, Mr. Mich Coker congratulated Eswatini for upgrading to Tier 2 on the U.S. Government 2019 TIP Report. He recognized that Eswatini had demonstrated measurable improvements in anti-trafficking efforts through interventions such as the enactment of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act and expediting prosecutions of perpetrators of sex trafficking.