English
Kinyarwanda
The vice mayor in charge of social affairs in Kirehe District Jacqueline Murekatete has appealed to students and parents always be fast to report any person who tries to lure the youngsters into modern day slavery – human trafficking – under the guise of securing them life-changing offers like jobs.
Murekatete made the call early this week while speaking to over 500 parents and their school-going children of Rusumo High School.
Although the issue of human trafficking is a rare case in Rwanda, Murekatete told them that one can’t rule out the likelihood of individuals targeting young people especially girls, to traffic them from one place to another for their personal benefit.
“Such criminals present themselves as good people, saviors but behind a good smile lies an evil mind that wants to take your children to be slaves through hard labour, sexual exploitation and other bad things. Such people are only interested in money not helping to change a life,” Murekatete told participants.
Present were also Police officers and the school administration staff, among others.
She emphasised the need for strong partnership and timely information sharing against any unlawful and criminal acts.
Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Gahigi Harerimana, the District Community Liaison Officer (DCLO) reminded parents and students that in most cases, such masqueraders use tricks including manipulating targeted victims not to inform anyone on the deal.
Gaspard Karangwa, one of the parents said it was his first time to hear of human trafficking.
One of the students, Fidelite Usenga said: “This session has given me vast knowledge on trafficking of human beings. I didn’t know how it was being done, the tricks they use, but now I know, and it’s my duty to partner with police and all Rwandans to fight and prevent such crimes.”
Close to 36 cases of human trafficking involving 153 victims, have been handled since 2009, majority involving foreigners trying to use Rwanda as a transit route.
