U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Burkina Faso
- Author: Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
- Document source:
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Date:
5 June 2002
Burkina Faso (Tier 2)
Burkina Faso is a source, transit, and to a lesser extent, a destination country for children trafficked to labor under conditions comparable to involuntary servitude. To a much lesser extent, Burkina Faso is a source and transit country for women being trafficked to Europe for prostitution. Most of the trafficking problems of Burkina Faso result from a traditional regional pattern of poverty-driven mass migration of very young children in search of subsistence labor in mining, crafts, agriculture, and as domestics. These children are frequently subject to threats of violence and sexual abuse.
The Government of Burkina Faso does not yet fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Burkina is severely constrained in all its efforts against trafficking by its profound poverty. Burkina has no law against trafficking as such. Laws against kidnapping and violence against children, as well as labor laws are used in the rare instances of prosecution of traffickers. Enforcement is generally weak to non-existent, despite some efforts by the government to sensitize border control personnel to trafficking issues. In terms of protection, Burkina has made efforts through the Foreign Ministry's High Council for Burkinabe Living Abroad to repatriate and re-integrate victims. The government maintains two shelters in the capital for trafficking victims. There are no reports of any trafficking victims being mistreated after their return. To help prevent trafficking, the government allots one-quarter of its budget to education, and makes a particular effort to educate girls. The government has also held seminars for soldiers and customs agents on trafficking issues. It cooperates with NGOs and uses assistance efficiently on trafficking-related projects. Burkina Faso is one of the West African countries participating in an international program to reduce trafficking in children.
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