South Africa: Lack of Laws Lets Human Trafficking Flourish

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA -- Although the United Nations (UN) protocol to suppress and punish trafficking in persons has been ratified by more than 100 countries, few countries had antitrafficking legislation, making the prosecution of offenders difficult, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) .

SA was being lobbied by the UN to help fight the battle as it was increasingly becoming the traffickers' country of choice. Because of its infrastructure, the syndicates were using SA as a transit point.

The protocol came into force in December 2003. It encourages the prosecution of offenders and promotes international cooperation. Countries have to adopt measures to protect the victims of trafficking and help them return safely to their own or another country...

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