U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Senegal

Senegal (Tier 2)

Senegal is a source and transit country for women and girls trafficked to Europe and the Middle East for sexual exploitation. Nigerian criminal organizations use Dakar as a transit point for women trafficked for purposes of prostitution to Europe, especially Italy. Senegalese children are sometimes held in conditions of involuntary servitude by some religious instructors in Senegal's larger cities.

The Government of Senegal does not yet fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Provisions of Senegalese criminal law prohibit abduction, hostage taking and the sale of persons, but the penalties for committing those crimes are inadequate to combat trafficking. Senegal has had some success in law enforcement. A high profile attempt to traffic Senegalese women to Libya was prevented, and trial is pending in the case. This year, the Senegalese police responded to the allegations of an escaped Nigerian trafficking victim with several arrests. Land border control is weak and corruption among officials is a problem. The Government supports related prevention programs to raise the status of women in society, promote the rights of the child and encourage public education. Over the past three years, the government cooperated with several United Nations' information campaigns on child labor, sexual exploitation and sexual exploitation of children. Senegal is actively cooperating with several United Nations' programs, as well as with NGOs, to assess the trafficking problem in Senegal. In January 2002, government representatives attended a seminar organized by NGOs to discuss trafficking. Senegal also hosted a regional meeting of experts to discuss trafficking in persons.