U.S. Department of State 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report - Burkina Faso
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Author | Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons |
| Publication Date | 3 June 2005 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State 2005 Trafficking in Persons Report - Burkina Faso, 3 June 2005, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4680d835c.html [accessed 7 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. |
Burkina Faso (Tier 2)
Burkina Faso is a source, transit, and destination country for children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation. To a lesser extent, Burkinabe women are trafficked to Europe for prostitution. Burkinabe children are trafficked to Cote D'Ivoire, Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Mali. Burkinabe boys are trafficked within the country for exploitation as agricultural laborers, domestics, metal workers, wood workers, and miners. Burkinabe girls are trafficked internally for exploitation as domestic servants, beggars, and prostitutes. Burkina Faso is a transit country for trafficked Malian children bound for other West African countries. Children from Benin and Togo are trafficked into Burkina Faso for forced labor.
The Government of Burkina Faso does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government made minimal gains over the past year to combat trafficking, including an agreement with the Government of Mali to cooperate on trans-border child trafficking. A 2003 anti-trafficking law has yet to be used. The government should boost its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts, and regional cooperation on fighting cross-border trafficking in children. It should also initiate improved prevention campaigns.
Prosecution
The government made modest gains in the area of law enforcement over the reporting period. However, the 2003 anti-trafficking law on child trafficking, which carries strong penalties, has never been used. In 2004, 41 child traffickers were arrested, 16 convicted, and 15 are currently imprisoned and awaiting trial. Additionally, four child trafficking networks were dismantled. The government forged an agreement with the Government of Mali to address trans-border child trafficking.
Protection
Due to resource constraints, the government struggles to implement a sufficient protection plan for trafficking victims. Minimal support is provided for Burkinabe children; foreign victims are deported. There is one center in Ouagadougou to aid with the social reintegration of at-risk children. In collaboration with UNICEF, the government has also established 19 transit centers for trafficked children throughout the country. These centers served over 900 children in 2004. Victims are not treated as criminals and their rights are generally respected. The government is unable, due to lack of resources, to directly fund NGOs; however it does collaborate with NGOs and international organizations for the reintegration of trafficked children. Twenty Burkinabe child trafficking victims were repatriated as a result of the agreement with Mali in 2004.
Prevention
The government recognizes that trafficking is a problem, and has implemented some degree of prevention efforts in the country. However, lack of resources inhibits its ability to carryout any long-term anti-trafficking prevention campaign. The government supported Vigilance and Surveillance Committees, which are in place in 12 of the 13 regions of the country. The government provided training on how to identify and aid trafficking victims to the committees, which now exist in 39 of the country's 45 provinces.
