Malawi Judiciary Launches Guidelines to Combat Human Trafficking Crisis
The launch of these guidelines marks a significant step in Malawi's commitment to address human trafficking and protect victims, particularly children.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Malawi Judiciary launched four new resource books and guidelines Tuesday aimed at strengthening the country's fight against human trafficking, writes Martin Kamlaike.
Chief Justice Rezine Mzikamanda, presiding over the launch at Chinsapo UNICEF ground in Lilongwe, called for urgent action to combat the crisis affecting human dignity in Malawi.
"Human trafficking is very bad, it's a serious matter in our country," Mzikamanda said.
"It's a serious matter that take children away from their homes, to places unknown, and they are abused in several ways whether as labourers or sexually abused or exploited in many different ways."
The launch coincided with the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Mzikamanda emphasized that the new sentencing guidelines will help courts and stakeholders deliver informed sentences to perpetrators.
Dr. Steve Kayuni, Secretary for the Ministry of Homeland Security, highlighted previous gaps in sentencing human trafficking cases and disparities in working arrangements among protection officers, police, and social welfare.
Maxwell Matewere of the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime expressed hope that the guidelines would address past lenient approaches to punishing offenders.
"The past has not been fair to the victims of human trafficking," Matewere said.
"Today, it's one of those days that brings hope to so many victims of human trafficking who have cried because of lenient approach the court has been taking."
Matewere revealed that out of 366 victims of human trafficking in Malawi in 2023, 233 were children.
This year's global campaign theme, "Leave No Child Behind in the Fight Against Human Trafficking," underscores the need for an inclusive approach to protect children.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes Global Report, one in three trafficking victims globally is a child.
The launch of these guidelines marks a significant step in Malawi's commitment to address human trafficking and protect victims, particularly children.