FBI Collaborates with Mauritius to Combat Human Trafficking

In a poignant gathering at the InterContinental Hotel in Balaclava yesterday, the pressing issue of human trafficking took centre stage, under the banner of “A Better Approach to Ending Impunity for Trafficking in Persons.” This conference, initiated by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), brought together a cadre of local and international experts, including representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Interpol, as well as Henry Jardine, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s legal representative, and the United States Ambassador to Mauritius.

The event aimed to dissect the myriad obstacles faced by investigators tackling the insidious crime of human trafficking, particularly within the maritime domain along the perilous Southern route.

The opening ceremony was graced by dignitaries who underscored the urgency of the matter at hand.

In a candid address to the press, Mᵉ Rashid Ahmine, the DPP, articulated a stark reality: while human trafficking remains a largely unrecognised crime among the Mauritian populace, its prevalence has alarmingly escalated in recent years, coinciding with a surge in foreign workers arriving on the island.

He lamented the disheartening truth that investigations and prosecutions in this domain remain woefully inadequate, despite the grim reality that unfolds daily.

This conference, he asserted, was a crucial step towards bridging the knowledge and resource gap that currently hampers the Mauritius Police Force, despite the existence of a Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Unit.

The DPP was unequivocal in his assessment: Mauritian investigators still lack the necessary techniques to effectively manage and process such cases.

While he acknowledged the establishment of a Task Force, he expressed a fervent hope that it would soon operate in a formal and professional capacity, as his office currently finds itself merely at the “receiving end” of the case processing chain.

As the conference unfolded, it became abundantly clear that the fight against human trafficking in Mauritius is at a critical juncture.

The presence of international experts serves as a clarion call for enhanced collaboration and a renewed commitment to combat this heinous crime, ensuring that the voices of the victims are heard and justice is served.

Source: l’Express