ETHIOPIA- It is reported that the British Embassy in Addis Ababa marked World Day against Trafficking in Persons by agreeing to provide training next month to Ethiopian Immigration Officials.
The British Embassy has been working closely with Ethiopian Airlines in tackling cases on human trafficking and has been providing training to the airline on a regular basis at Bole International Airport. The aim of the training, as reported, is to make Ethiopia a secure and difficult place for traffickers as well as to tackle the irregular flow of migration to the UK.
According to the press release by British Embassy Addis Ababa, the UK is also planning to provide regular capacity building training to increase immigration and airline officials’ skill sets to fight human trafficking. The officers will be trained in ways of identifying people who try to travel with forged visas and travel documents.
The embassy disclosed that, work is underway by the Ethiopian government to enforce strict rules to combat human trafficking which will include interception and prosecution of traffickers in Ethiopia. With these efforts, Ethiopian Immigration and Ethiopian Airlines Officials were able to stop illegal passengers and facilitators travelling through Bole International Airport. In the last one year British Embassy together with Ethiopian Airlines have intercepted over 160 cases of illegal migration.
Reacting to the development, British Ambassador to Ethiopia, Susanna Moorehead said: I’m pleased to see that our joint efforts are making good progress in the fight against human trafficking. The UK wants to see a secure Ethiopian airport where it is impossible for human traffickers to operate.
Correspondent: Ridwan A Olayiwola
