U.S. Department of State 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report - Zambia

Zambia (Tier 2)

Zambia is a source and transit country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Driven by homelessness and poverty, indigenous children in prostitution are found in most cities and constitute the country's most significant trafficking problem. Anecdotal reports suggest that Zambian women are trafficked to South Africa for sexual exploitation. It is likely that Zambia is also a transit point for regional trafficking of women to South Africa.

The Government of Zambia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. During the past year, Zambia has demonstrated significant progress in its efforts to combat trafficking in persons. While Zambia's existing laws are adequate to criminalize the full scope of trafficking in persons offenses, prevention and detection of trafficking by law enforcement officials would likely improve if trafficking were specifically defined as a crime. To further strengthen its anti-trafficking efforts, the government's inter-ministerial human trafficking committee should take concrete steps to prevent trafficking, including the institution of a broad public awareness campaign.

Prosecution

Zambia has made substantial progress in furthering its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts. While there is no specific anti-trafficking law, the country's laws criminalize the full scope of trafficking in persons, including trafficking for sexual exploitation and fraudulent labor recruitment. In November 2004, the Zambian Parliament passed comprehensive child protection legislation that prohibits all forms of slavery, as well as procuring or offering a child for illicit activities, including prostitution. The government actively investigated reports of trafficking in persons and police and the courts successfully intervened in several cases. In July 2004, police arrested a man who offered to sell two children to a local businessman. In October, police intercepted 14 Congolese girls between the ages of five and 17 bound for South Africa, where they were promised jobs. The Congolese woman accompanying the children was arrested for trafficking the girls. The government continued its ongoing prosecution of two Congolese nationals accused of trafficking two girls to Ireland in 2003 and commenced prosecution in two local child abduction cases that involved child prostitution. The Victim Support Unit of the Zambian Police now monitors reports of trafficking and is able to report on its anti-trafficking efforts. The government is currently working with IOM to implement a program to train police and immigration officers in border areas to recognize and investigate trafficking in persons.

Protection

The government took significant steps to implement a strategy for providing shelter and protection to vulnerable children, including trafficking of children into prostitution. Through its social welfare agencies, the government provided counseling, shelter, and protection to approximately 20 victims of trafficking for prostitution or referred victims to NGO service providers. It provided premises for NGOs assisting such victims and civil servants actively assisted these organizations with their work. The government also funded numerous NGOs and faith-based organizations across the country to provide temporary accommodation for at-risk children. Based on the results of needs assessments, the youth are reintegrated with their families, provided long-term shelter and education by civil society organizations, or relocated to a Zambia National Service camp for skills training.

Prevention

Zambia lacks a public information and awareness program to prevent trafficking in persons. In September 2004, the government announced the formation of an inter-ministerial human trafficking committee designed to focus attention, strategies, and resources to combat the practice. The committee is comprised of representatives from the Drug Enforcement Commission, the Zambia Police Service, and the Ministries of Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Sports, Youth, and Child Development. A coordinator of all anti-trafficking in persons activities has been designated. During the year, the government began drafting a national action plan to address trafficking in persons.