Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Zambia (Ratification: 1964)

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee notes with interest the adoption of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act (No. 11 of 2008), which provides for various measures aiming at combating human trafficking, including prevention and victim protection measures. It notes, in particular, that, under section 3 of the Act, persons found guilty of human trafficking and related crimes are liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than 20 years and up to 30 years and, in certain situations, to imprisonment for life. The Committee also notes the information on the application in practice of the Penal Code provisions criminalizing human trafficking adopted in 2005.

The Committee asks the Government to provide, in its next report, information on the application in practice of the new Anti-Human Trafficking Act (No. 11 of 2008), as regards both victim protection measures (particularly sections 34, 37, 40–47 and 58) and punishment of perpetrators (section 3), supplying sample copies of the relevant court decisions and indicating the penalties imposed. 

The Committee notes the Government’s brief indications in the report concerning the tasks of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Trafficking, which include, inter alia, coordination of various programmes concerning prevention and protection measures, prosecution of traffickers, as well as development and revision of policies and legislation on human trafficking.

The Committee asks the Government to provide, in its next report, information on the application in practice of the National Plan of Action to combat trafficking, to which reference has been made in the Government’s previous report, as well as the information on practical activities of the Inter‑Ministerial Committee referred to above, including copies of relevant reports and available statistics. Please also supply a copy of the National Anti‑Human Trafficking Policy referred to in the Government’s 2008 report.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.