Critical analysis of Ethiopias action against internal child trafficking

Abstract

Large proportions of Ethiopian children are exposed to violation without having care and treatment from the State and their parents by the mere fact of violation of their rights and interests of children. As a result, they face a multitude of risks to their lives due to various forms of exploitation, abuse and neglect. Even after novel international instruments on the issues of human trafficking of children have come into force, greater recognition has given to the international trafficking. However, the majority of cases of child trafficking involve internal trafficking. A few efforts by means of adopted legislation and policies, in national structures have been set up to stop trafficking in children. On issues such as legislation, national policies and national structures established to coordinate in anti-trafficking initiatives; this dissertation notes both progress and some gaps. In fact, some practices such as child protection unit have been identified to prevent children from being trafficked or to assist trafficked children. However, the protection and assistance of children who have been trafficked is not encouraging. The dissertation argues that the term ‘trafficking’ is still interpreted to refer to different crimes such as child labour, sexual abuse and so on which can be the consequences of trafficking. Particularly in this regard how national legislation conforms to international standards. The paper also recognises that the government of Ethiopia and NGOs have given priority to combating international trafficking of women rather than to child trafficking. This resulted in the protection of children and their specific rights and needs being completely neglected, as they have not been addressed explicitly. However, the actions made by the Ethiopian government to the response of child trafficking are not enough. Moreover, Ethiopian children who have been trafficked are not entitled to adequate protection and assistance. Many legislation and international documents have been issued, but not enough has been done to implement them at the national level.