An international conference in Luxor is to discuss means to combat human trafficking, Reem Leila reports Human trafficking is considered the most dangerous challenge to human rights. As such, the Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement (SMWIPM) will hold an international forum against today's modern form of slavery. The international conference, called Human Trafficking in Luxor, will be held in collaboration with the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking. Headed by Mrs Mubarak, founder of SMWIPM, it will discuss major issues related to human trafficking and success stories in this respect. The 10-12 December gathering will be attended by a large number of world leaders and heads of major companies. Coinciding with the international forum to discuss possible means of ending human trafficking, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday issued a statement expressing concerns over 250 Eritrian migrants who are believed to be held hostage in the Sinai Desert by traffickers. "We have noted reports that traffickers are demanding payments of $8,000 per person for their release. The migrants are subject to abuses," said the statement. The UNHCR said it was in contact with the Egyptian government and that the Ministry of Interior had "assured that around-the-clock efforts are underway to locate the hostages to release them." The Sinai Desert border has become a major trafficking route for African migrants seeking jobs. Thousands of Eritrians each year flee their country on their way to Israel. Mrs Mubarak has previously referred to the fact that while human trafficking is not a phenomenon in Egypt, it is being given much attention at all levels, especially by the government and NGOs. Human trafficking is today the third most profitable illegal business after weapons and drugs. Recent statistics reveal that the $32 billion industry traffics up to 2.4 million people every year. The US State Department's annual report issued in June estimated numbers of trafficked people by 600,000 to 820,000 men, women and children who are trafficked across international borders each year. The majority are destined to a form of sexual slavery. Egypt is an exporter, transit point and destination for the victims of human trafficking, including women and children who become victims of forced work and sexual exploitation. There are various forms of trafficking in Egypt, including commercial sexual exploitation, begging, early marriage, sex tourism, forced labour and domestic servitude. Egypt now has the legislative infrastructure to combat human trafficking. The government last year established a committee affiliated to the cabinet to draw up a national strategy on combating human trafficking. The government also approved the country's comprehensive anti- trafficking Law 64/2010 in early May. Nihal Fahmi, regional consultant on combating human trafficking at the UN regional office for drugs and crime, said penalties for the new anti- trafficking law which punishes those involved in human trafficking by at least 15 years in jail, will play an important role in reducing human trafficking in the country. Among the main solutions recommended by the national strategy are increasing law enforcement activities, applying formal victim identification procedures, and implementing a comprehensive public information campaign to educate the public. According to the law, when someone is found guilty of establishing, organising or running a criminal gang for human trafficking, the maximum sentence is now 20 years and a LE100,000 fine. However, Fahmi said the law alone was not enough. "All concerned authorities along with governmental and non- governmental organisations must increase people's awareness about the harms of early marriages," she said. Egypt's street children problem must be solved because, according to Fahmi, they are among the main sources of human trafficking. Unemployment, poverty, and lack of awareness are the main reasons behind human trafficking in Egypt. "Human trafficking is a modern crime that societies suffer from as a result of the effects of globalisation," explained Fahmi. According to the recently approved law a fund is to be created in order to provide human trafficking victims with financial aid to help them lead a respectable life, stated Fahmi. "The government is responsible for the rehabilitation, health and protection of human trafficking victims, because most victims are forced to commit violations," Fahmi added. Upon the approval of the anti- trafficking law the National Coordinating Committee to Combat and Prevent Trafficking of People has also been established. "The committee which is affiliated to the cabinet is headed by Ambassador Naela Gabr and is charged with the implementation of related laws and to follow up on all reported cases," Fahmi said. "Egypt is expected to take a huge leap in combating human trafficking within the coming years. There will be various media campaigns to increase people's awareness with the causes behind human trafficking in order to gradually limit them until they finally end," Fahmi said. "People must cooperate with all concerned authorities in order to accomplish this target in the shortest time possible." According to Gabr, the committee is cooperating with the National Centre for Social and Criminological Research in preparing the necessary studies and data required to combat trafficking in humans. "Training sessions are being conducted to increase people's awareness about the harms of human trafficking. Factors leading to human trafficking such as street children, kidnapping children for adoption abroad, and marrying young girls to wealthy Arabs are among the issues being addressed."
