Mozambican government to create strategy to combat human trafficking

MAPUTO, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Mozambican Attorney General's Office (PGR) announced on Monday the plan to create a national campaign to fight human trafficking in the country.

The PGR announced the intention during a meeting in Maputo that brings together civil society organizations, the United Nations representatives and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat.

According to the authorities, the document will be submitted to the Mozambican parliament and, if approved, will come into force in 2018.

Deputy minister of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs of Mozambique, Joaquim Verissimo, said that the need arises due to the growing trend of such evil in Mozambique.

"There are known links between human trafficking and other criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, money laundering and organized crime," he said, adding that Mozambique has a worrying rate of trafficked children.

"This year, there were 11 cases registered in the first semester. Last year, there were 16 cases. So if we make calculations, we will find that the number has gone up," he said. Enditem