U.S. Department of State 2004 Trafficking in Persons Report - Mozambique
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Author | Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons |
| Publication Date | 14 June 2004 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State 2004 Trafficking in Persons Report - Mozambique, 14 June 2004, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4680d7f423.html [accessed 3 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Mozambique (Tier 2)
Mozambique is a source country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. South Africa is the principal receiving country for trafficked Mozambicans. Traffickers are principally Mozambican or South African, though Chinese and Russian syndicates reportedly facilitate trafficking as well. The IOM estimates that 1,000 Mozambican women and children are trafficked every year and sold to brothels, or as concubines to mine workers.
The Government of Mozambique does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Though trafficking is acknowledged as a serious problem at the highest levels of government, border controls remain inadequate and do not effectively monitor for evidence of trafficking. The government has difficulty investigating alleged trafficking cases due to untrained police officers, while equipment shortages limit its investigative capacity. The government should focus its efforts on strengthening border controls, bolstering investigative resources, and undertaking strong preventive measures.
Prosecution
Mozambican law does not specifically prohibit trafficking in persons. Traffickers could be prosecuted using laws on sexual assault, rape, abduction, and child abuse, but no such cases have been brought. The government has responded to trafficking-related allegations in the press by conducting follow-up investigations and issuing public awareness announcements. Two foreigners were detained in 2003 on allegations of child and organ trafficking; the investigation is ongoing. In September 2003, the government launched a program to enhance its child protection laws, including the development of legislation to specifically address trafficking in children. A pilot program of police stations dedicated to deal with trafficking victims was implemented in three provincial capitals and staffed with trained officers.
Protection
In 2003, the Ministry of Women and Social Action Coordination staffed hospitals in all provinces with persons trained specifically to work with trafficking victims. These personnel provide only short-term assistance to the victims; many provinces lack the funding to provide long-term assistance, shelter, or employment skills training. The Campaign against Trafficking in Children, in which the government actively participates, is establishing an assistance center at the border post of Ressano Garcia for repatriated victims of child trafficking.
Prevention
Prevention efforts on the part of the government are extremely weak. An individual from a local NGO has been seconded to the Ministry of the Interior to work on trafficking issues, but the level of resources devoted to prevention is not commensurate with the problem.
