GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA LAUNCHES TOOLS FOR PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE MIGRANTS

By MacPherson Mukuka

A number of people across the globe travel from their homelands, covering millions of distances in search of better life usually as a result of civil conflicts in their nations.

Some of them succeed while others die on the way; however those who manage to reach their destinations find themselves in complex situations as many become victims of human rights violation.

Human traffickers take advantage of the most of those who may seem to be desperate to finding better living in other countries, promising them of good living standards but later realise later that the situation is different.

The Government of the republic of Zambia and its cooperating partners has developed guidelines which are the protection assistance for vulnerable migrants in Zambia.

The guidelines have been developed as part of a joint programme that is implemented by the international organisation for migration, UHNCR and UNICEF, supporting government of Zambia to build the capacity of national actors in responding to mixed migration.

Launching the handbook at the opening of a 2 day 4^th National Symposium on human trafficking in Zambia, Vice President Guy Scott said it must be accepted that there people living in circumstances that are miserable.

Dr. Scott stressed the need for a balanced response to migration challenges and the need to harmonise compassion and sympathy with discipline and order in Zambia.

And Home affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula says government’s commitment to fighting human trafficking is demonstrated by the enactment of the anti-human trafficking act of 2008 to domesticate the countries ratification in 2005 of the United Nations protocol which aims to prevent, supress and punish trafficking persons.

And speaking earlier, Acting UN resident coordinator Simon Cammelbeeck said across generations, human beings have migrated in search of a better life. He said such hope however do not always materialise.

Mr. Cammelbeeck, further states that lures by the false promises of traffickers, many victims are subjected to abuse and violations of human rights of the worst kind, including violence at the hands of traffickers and ultimately facing sexual or labour exploitation.

Meanwhile, EU head of delegation to Zambia Aad Biesebroek says trafficking of human beings is a serious crime and a gross violation of human rights which often linked with organised crime and is considered as one of the most profitable criminal activities worldwide.