CMNT_TITLE

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Eswatini (RATIFICATION: 1978)

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee previously requested the Government to provide information on the activities implemented by the Task Force for the Prevention of People Trafficking and Smuggling, as well as on the judicial proceedings initiated and the convictions handed down under the People Trafficking and Smuggling (Prohibition) Act No. 7 of 2009.

The Committee takes note of the adoption of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act No. 15 of 2018 which provides for penalties of imprisonment for up to 20 years and/or a fine in case of the commercial sexual exploitation of an adult (section 13). It notes the Government’s indication, in its report, that a five-year National Strategic Framework and Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons for 2019-2023 was launched, with a view to ensuring a well-coordinated and data-driven national response to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children, characterized by proper identification, referral of victims, strong protection and support mechanisms, as well as successful investigation and prosecution of the offence of trafficking in persons. The Government states that the Task Force holds monthly meetings to monitor the progress in the implementation of the action plan. The Task Force and the Secretariat carried out several awareness-raising activities throughout the country,such as weekly radio programmes, and provided training on trafficking in persons to in-service officers and frontline responders on victim identification and referral to protection services, as well as to judges and senior magistrates. The Government indicates that the anti-trafficking hotline continues to receive information on potential cases of trafficking in persons and to share information on cases and victims of trafficking in persons as well as on trafficker profiles with countries in the region. In 2018-2019, the authorities investigated 14 suspected cases of trafficking in persons, out of which eight were for labour exploitation. Three cases of trafficking in persons were prosecuted in 2018-2019, compared to two cases in 2020-2021. The Government further indicates that procedures to assist victims of trafficking in persons as well as witnesses during judicial processes have been established, and guidelines for identifying victims were elaborated, together with a victim referral form. In 2020, six victims of trafficking in persons were identified and referred to care, compared to four in 2021. A secured shelter was established for victims of trafficking and all identified victims received food, clothing, psychological support and medical care.

Welcoming the efforts made to address trafficking in persons and identify and assist victims, the Committee requests the Government to continue to take the necessary measures for the effective implementation of the Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons for 2019-2023. It asks the Government to provide information on the activities implemented by the Task Force for the Prevention of People Trafficking and Smuggling and the Secretariat in that regard, as well as on the assessment of the progress made. The Committee further requests the Government to provide information on the investigations initiated and the convictions handed down on cases of trafficking in persons and the specific penalties applied to perpetrators under the People Trafficking and Smuggling (Prohibition) Act No. 7 of 2009.