The visiting UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons Siobhán Mullally on Wednesday called on the government to redouble efforts to prevent trafficking in persons.
Mullally who spoke to journalists in Juba at the end of her itinerary that commenced on 5 to 14 December called for strengthening prevention measures, improve protection and support for victims.
“Conflict-related sexual violence including trafficking remains a serious concern, there is a need for continued attention to the risks faced by children associated with armed groups and armed forces, including of conflict -related sexual violence and trafficking,” she said.
Mullally also noted the prevalence of sexual exploitation, forced labor, child and forced marriage, including among refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees.
“Internal displacement as a result of conflict and violence coupled with climate induced displacement, gender inequality, and limited access to education increases the risks of trafficking, including for purposes of child recruitment and marriage, sexual exploitation, forced labor and domestic servitude,” she said.
Mullally hailed the constructive engagement and dialogue she had with government officials during her visit, which included high- level meetings with ministers and law enforcement agencies.
“At this junction of peace building and state building in South Sudan, urgent action to prevent trafficking in persons and to protect survivors, especially women and children is crucial,” she said.
She disclosed that violence also contributes to increased abductions and sale of children.
The Special Rapporteur said that she met with a range of survivors and victims of trafficking, including those who had been trafficked for sexual and labor exploitation, domestic servitude, child and forced marriage, and child recruitment and use.
“I also met with sex workers, feminist activists, women leaders and community leaders, and lawyers,” said Mullally.
She visited an internally displaced persons camp hosting over 106,000 people in Bentiu, as well as IDP camps formed as a result of climate related displacement and flooding.
“As a country that hosts a high number of refugees and migrant workers, the government of South Sudan must prioritize prevention of trafficking through increased awareness raising, and through ensuring just and fair conditions of work despite gaps in the rule of law and urgent need for effective justice mechanisms, including functioning court systems,” she revealed.
“I hope that the recommendations resulting from my visit to South Sudan will provide important tools to prevent trafficking in persons and to strengthen human rights and survivor centered responses to trafficking,” said Mullally.
