Rwanda National Police

The First Lady Jeannette Kagame has called upon Rwandans to stand up jointly against threats of human trafficking, gender based violence, drug abuse and alcohol consumption, which pose danger to the youth.

The First Lady made the call on October 10 while officially opening a high level dialogue on trafficking in human beings at the Parliamentary Building in Kigali.

“We must understand this issue, its consequences and establish our role as parents in fighting it,” the First Lady said.

She said there is need to work together to build a generation this country desires to continue the transformation process.

The Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana said the issue of human trafficking is not only a threat to Rwanda but also the regional and globally.

“The threat of trafficking in persons, however small, is real and a grave one and there is link with drug abuse and GBV,” IGP Gasana said.

Over 150 cases of human trafficking were registered in Rwanda since 2009, 90 percent of them females and 82 percent of them aged between 18 and 35.

He said it’s largely facilitated by ignorance, corruption and technology and the nature of borders, which are porous in nature.

“Most of them are taken to Asia, Europe and most recently in Australia but there is no indication of human trafficking criminal networks operating in Rwanda. Rwanda, in most cases, is being used as a transit centre,” IGP said.

Interpol Kigali, in recent years, he noted, intercepted 12 Ugandans that were being trafficked to Dubai, intercepted Burundians and rescued four Rwandan boys.

He outlined force, deception, abduction and fraud as some of the ways used by traffickers to lure victims into forced labour, sexual exploitation, organ removal and sale and human sacrifice.

The Police Chief, however, said the force has initiated and implemented various policies to fight and prevent these three security challenges including laws, rehabilitation centres, community policing committees, forensic laboratory for evidence collection, Isange One stop centre to offer free medical and legal services to GBV victims and periodic awareness programmes.

The Minister for Justice, Johnston Busingye said there is need to initiate deterrent measures including revising laws, conduct awareness on the scope and prevention of the problem and training on investigation and evidence collection to ensure that justice is served.

He observed that the existing laws are weak in relation to the human trafficking and drug abuse gravity.

“There should be a debate on these laws. Drug abuse is a problem in schools, in our children and penalties should also be equivalent,” Minister Busingye said.

The meeting attracted over 200 participants including ministers, legislators, governors and district mayors.