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Emergency Trust Fund for Africa
  • News article
  • 30 August 2021
  • 3 min read

Sudan launched its National Action Plan to counter and prevent human trafficking

Launching Ceremony of the Sudanese Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, in presence of the EU Ambassador Robert Van den Dool and the Sudanese Minister of Justice, Nasredeen Abdulbari
© GIZ/Mazin Al-Raheed

Over the past decade, thousands of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers have been transiting to and through Sudan which is currently hosting some 1,3 million migrants. Most of them rely on smugglers for the transport into, through and out of Sudan, and therefore risk falling prey to abuse and exploitation by smugglers or human traffickers.

According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR, 2019), persons of concern consulted in Al-Shagarab camps mentioned kidnapping, abduction, physical violence and sexual harassment among their most common fears. With support of the Better Migration Management programme, funded by the European Union and Germany, the Sudanese Government implements measures to counter and prevent human trafficking and to improve the protection of victims of trafficking.

Launching Ceremony of the Sudanese Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, in presence of the EU Ambassador Robert Van den Dool and the Sudanese Minister of Justice, Nasredeen Abdulbari
Launching Ceremony of the Sudanese Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, in presence of the EU Ambassador Robert Van den Dool and the Sudanese Minister of Justice, Nasredeen Abdulbari © GIZ/Mazin Al-Raheed

Building on the previous phase

On 30 August 2021, the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCT) launched the National Action Plan for Combatting Human Trafficking 2021-2023 in Khartoum. The Committee was established after the Sudanese Parliament had passed the Combatting of Human Trafficking Act in 2014 and includes members of all relevant ministries and governmental institutions.

In the framework of the National Action Plan 2017-2019, Sudanese authorities increased the number of identified victims, of investigated and prosecuted cases of human trafficking as well as the number of operations together with Interpol such as in the beginning of July 2021 when 253 victims of human trafficking have been rescued and 32 suspects arrested. The new action plan aims to combat and prevent human trafficking and exploitative smuggling, especially trafficking of women and children.

“With this plan launched today and in our ongoing fight against human trafficking, we express our commitment to maintaining the human dignity; that we must respect and preserve, whether a person is living in his country, travels within or migrates to other countries.” declared the Sudanese Minister of Justice, his excellency Nasredeen Abdulbari.

Concrete measures for 2021-2023

Ms Siham Osman, Undersecretary Ministry of Justice and Head of NCCT committee expressed her satisfaction: “This action plan was developed in collaboration with all the relevant governmental institutions mandated to combat human trafficking. Throughout the development phase, the four core aspects to combating human trafficking were met: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Coordination and Partnership.”

Opening speech of Siham Osman, Undersecretary Ministry of Justice and Head of NCCT committee
Opening speech of Siham Osman, Undersecretary Ministry of Justice and Head of NCCT committee © GIZ/Mazin Al-Raheed

Amongst the measures adopted, there are:

  • Access to a microfinance programme and to vocational and technical education and job opportunities to reduce poverty and increase livelihood options for young people, including migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
  • Trainings with a special focus on female social workers to improve protection and support services for victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants.
  • More safe houses and secured shelters for rescued victims.
  • Further trainings targeting law enforcement officials, the establishment of specialised prosecutor offices and courts, cross-border cooperation and the access for victims of trafficking to legal aid to improve investigation and prosecution.
  • Revision of the national legal framework according to international conventions relevant to the protection of human rights.

The plan also includes strengthening the NCCT to fulfil its mandate all over Sudan and to coordinate with all relevant national and international bodies to combat human trafficking.

The NCCT announced that it will conduct a series of briefing workshops and engage with the different state and non-state stakeholders to coordinate the intervention immediately after the launch.

Background:

The Better Migration Management (BMM) programme, funded by the EU Trust Fund, supports the NCCT to coordinate across ministries to counter human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants, and to address victims’ needs more efficiently. The programme improves the capacities of the NCCT members, advocates with relevant actors to support the implementation of the national action plan and implements trainings to improve the capacities of law enforcement officials as well as members of civil society organisations. BMM is active in the process of establishing referral systems and standard procedures for victims of human trafficking and vulnerable migrants in East Sudan, supports safehouses and building capacities of service providers.

Details

Publication date
30 August 2021
Region and Country
  • Horn of Africa
  • Sudan
Thematic
  • Improved migration management
Partner
  • GIZ

Programmes in the region

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Region and Country
  • Horn of Africa
Thematic
  • Strengthening resilience of communities
Partner
  • World Food Programme

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Region and Country
  • Horn of Africa
Thematic
  • Greater economic and employment opportunities
  • Improved governance and conflict prevention
  • Strengthening resilience of communities
Partner
  • Plan International
  • Save the Children
  • Danish Church Aid
  • Norwegian Refugee Council
  • International Rescue Committee

The specific objective is strengthening economic opportunities and resilience of the most vulnerable communities to human-induced and natural disaster crises, through measures that will increase livelihoods and employment, and better access to basic services.

Region and Country
  • Horn of Africa
Thematic
  • Greater economic and employment opportunities
  • Improved governance and conflict prevention
  • Strengthening resilience of communities
Partner
  • Action Contre la Faim
  • International Development Entreprises UK
  • Cordaid
  • CARE
  • Danish Church Aid
  • Vita Ethiopia
  • Save the Children
  • International Rescue Committee

To strengthen the local health systems to better deliver basic packages of health services in West Darfur with the final aim of creating a more conducive and sustainable living environment for host communities and displaced populations through: (1) greater access to and quality of primary health...

Region and Country
  • Horn of Africa
Thematic
  • Strengthening resilience of communities
Partner
  • Concern Worldwide
  • International Medical Corps

The main objective is to strengthen the local health systems to better deliver basic packages of health services in selected areas of Eastern Sudan, with the final aim of creating a more conducive and sustainable living environment for host communities, displaced populations and refugees.

Region and Country
  • Horn of Africa
Thematic
  • Strengthening resilience of communities
Partner
  • Italian Development Cooperation