Angola Signs Cooperation Accord Against Traffic Of Humans

[Richard Akindele]

Abuja, 07/09 - The Republic of Angola signed over the weekend, in Abuja, Nigeria, the Multilateral Cooperation Agreement Against the Traffic of Humans, mainly women and children in central and west Africa.

The document signed by the Angolan ambassador to Ghana, José Guerreiro Alves Primo, representing the Foreign Affairs minister, João Miranda, during the ministerial conference of the Economic Community of West African States (ECWAS) against the traffic of humans, held on 07-08 July.

Among the objectives of the agreement are included the creation of a common front for the prevention, fight, suppression and punishment of people, through a joint cooperation at international level, as well as protect, rehabilitate and socially reintegrate the victims of the traffic, plus provide mutual assistance in the investigation and detention of traffickers, through the cooperation between the authorities of the signatory states.

The document outlines that the trafficking of people is forbidden, and the victims of it, whether they are national or not, are to be treated with respect, dignity and without discrimination.

The parties commit themselves to ratifying the United Nations Convention against Organised Trans-National Crime and its Additional Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Condemn the Traffic of Humans, particularly women and children.

The members states of the ECWAS and ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) also agreed to create a National Force Against the Traffic of Humans, tasked with elaborating national action plans and monitor its implementation, as well as define mechanisms that enable the identification of victims, the traffickers and their accomplices.

The agreement also includes the extradition of traffickers and their accomplices at the request of a signatory member state, as well as the creation of specific programmes and permanent mechanisms to improve the registration of children right after their birth and the establishment of partnerships with organisations of the civil society, technical and financial partners.

At the end of the works of the ministerial conference was approved a Resolution in which the subscribers pledge to work towards the eradication of traffic of humans.

The Angolan ambassador Alves Primo emphasised that the Angolan government is strongly committed to the protection of Human Rights and for this reason it adhered and signed the final documents of the conference.

AngolaPress