East Africa lawmakers seek views on human trafficking law

A group of members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) are in Rwandan capital Kigali to consult as they embark on enacting a law to curtail human trafficking in the wake of rising cases.

The lawmakers will hold meetings with people of various perspectives to seek their views.

Three Rwandan EALA members, namely Valerie Nyirahabineza, Martin Ngoga and Christophe Bazivamo, have met experts from local institutions during a public hearing on Monday to hear their input on the East African Community (EAC) Counter-Trafficking in Persons Bill, introduced by Uganda's Dora Byamukama, last month.

The MPs want to make sure that views from partner states are reflected in the legislation.

Prosecution of the offence of trafficking in persons and related offences shall be executed in accordance with the laws in respective Partner States, according to Article 18 of the Bill.

Section three of the same clause wants offenders punished by a minimum of 10 years imprisonment.

MP Nyirahabineza who chaired the consultative subcommittee said the Assembly believes East Africa like other regions is affected by human trafficking.

"It is imperative for the EAC to cooperate in the fight against trafficking in persons by having adequate policies and laws that will help us to work together in a coordinated manner," she said.

The object of the Bill is to provide for a legal framework for prevention of human trafficking, prosecution of traffickers, and facilitate cooperation in the fight against the crime in the region. Endit