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UNODC and Tanzania Launch new National Plan of Action to Counter Trafficking in Persons

Dodoma, Tanzania, 29 March 2022 – UNODC, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Tanzanian Ministry of Home Affairs launched the new National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Plan of Action (NPA) (2021-2024) on the 4th of March at a ceremony in Dodoma, Tanzania.

Every year, thousands of men, women, and children are exploited and trafficked. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is a serious violation of human rights. Eastern Africa, including Tanzania, is no exception and has recently witnessed an increase in trafficking crimes, notably online sexual exploitation. With criminal groups and illicit traffickers operating within and across the borders of Tanzania, enhancing national as well as regional action is critical.

UNODC is committed to counter TIP in Eastern Africa through the U.S.-funded project Enhancing Effective and Victim-Centred Criminal Justice Responses to Trafficking in Persons in Eastern Africa, by implementing activities across 13 Eastern Africa Member States to effectively prevent and suppress TIP through enhanced regional co-ordination, strengthened Anti-TIP legislation and the setup of a regional plan of action to counter TIP, aligned with the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its supplementary Protocols (UNTOC), in particular the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.

The United Republic of Tanzania ratified both the UNTOC and the TIP Protocol in 2006. In July 2021, UNODC provided technical and legislative advice to the Government of Tanzania on the development of the new National Anti-TIP National Plan of Action (NPA) (2021 – 2024). The NPA was launched in March 2022 at a high-level ceremony in Dodoma, Tanzania with 70 delegates from governmental departments, including the Anti-Trafficking Secretariat and the National Police Services, as well as civil society organizations.

Key high-level officials officiated the ceremony and delivered remarks highlighting the importance of the NPA as a tool to effectively prevent and suppress TIP. Dr Qasim Sufi, Chief of Mission at the International Organization for Migration office in Tanzania, discussed the importance of ensuring the protection and safety of victims and witnesses of TIP while combating this crime. Mr Johan Kruger, Head of Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Terrorism Programmes, UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa, expressed that strong legislative frameworks and a targeted criminal justice response are vital to counter TIP. Additionally, Mr Kruger highlighted that preventing individuals from being exploited ought to be the core of the work to be done.

Moreover, the United States (U.S.) ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Donald J. Wright, congratulated the Government of Tanzania and the Ministry of Home Affairs on the launch of the NPA and the steps taken to prevent and suppress TIP. He additionally highlighted the need to strengthen the existing Anti-TIP legislation to include more sufficiently stringent sentencing for perpetrators of TIP.

The event was also attended by Mr Edwin Mugambila who delivered a brief speech on behalf of the NGO TANHUT, and Mr Deogratias Bwire from the Legal Services Facility in Tanzania, who expressed the timely urgency of the NPA and thanked UNODC and the U.S. for the support provided to the Government of Tanzania.

Following the opening remarks, Mr Adatus Magere, Chairperson of Tanzania Anti-Trafficking Committee, officially presented and handed over the NPA to the guests and participants.

After the handover, Mr Jumanne Sagini, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs – on the behalf of His excellency, Mr Hamad Yussuf Masauni, Minister of Home Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania – thanked UNODC, IOM and the U.S. for the support and expressed that the Ministry of Home Affairs is committed to continuing the partnership in the fight against TIP.

Enhancing Effective and Victim-Centred Criminal Justice Responses to Trafficking in Persons in Eastern Africa project is being implemented in 13 Eastern Africa Member States within the framework of the UNODC Programme for Eastern Africa – Promoting the Rule of Law and Human Security in Eastern Africa (2016-2022) and its regional Countering Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Programme.

 

See the Tanzania National Plan of Action (2022) here.

 

See UNODC’s Strategic Vision for Africa (2030) here.

 

For more information, please contact: 

Mr Johan Kruger – johan.kruger@un.org
Head of Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Terrorism Programmes,
UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa