THE CHALLENGES FACING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PREVENTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN TANZANIA

Abstract

This study explores the Challenges Facing the Implementation of Preventing Human Traffcking in Tanzania, a case study of Arusha Region. This study used a cross-sectional research design because it allows the researcher to study different groups of respondents at one point at a time by using mixed methods. Data were collected from 40 respondents consisted of migration officers, police officers, national, transport stakeholders, national prosecutors Service (Director of public prosecution), court officers, VEO and WEOs. The study also used both primary and secondary data to gather information from the respondents. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The study findings concluded that it istrue that the international laws have established obligations in preventing human trafficking in Tanzania, despite of having these international laws in Tanzania, the problem of human trafficking still persists, data obtained through interview revealed that, the laws has not well implemented due to various reasons such as ineffective implementation of the laws, ineffective implementation of treaties and MoU, and prolonged protocol. In the second objective, the study concluded that that Tanzania h a s anti trafficking Laws which curb human trafficking, in this regard, Tanzanian law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking in persons,traffickers can be prosecuted under existing statutes criminalizing the sale of people, forcedlabor, child labor, and various sexual offenses. Following the UN Protocol in 2008, the Government of Tanzania enacted the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. In the last objective, thestudy concluded that various effects were identified by the respondents in the field such as physical trauma, mental trauma, ostracism, and lack of independent living skills. It isrecommended that the government should provide training related to human trafficking among its employees especially the WEO and VEO. During the field, it was discovered that most of the government officials especially those working at the lower lever had no ideas concerning the issues related to human trafficking. The policy makers in the country such as members of the parliament should pass laws and regulations that will ensure the laws curb this problem to a large extent. The study recommended that, more emphasis should be given to all migration officers to work closely with the citizens in order to get information concerning the network of people engaging in human trafficking.