Trafficking in persons in Lesotho
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Date
2023-11-13
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National University of Lesotho
Abstract
The passage of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2011 represented a significant milestone in
Lesotho's endeavours to counteract Trafficking in Persons. In light of the prevalent issue of human
trafficking within the country, exacerbated by the absence of a robust legal framework to address
the problem, the introduction of legislation criminalising Trafficking in Persons, establishing
institutions to combat the crime, and providing for the protection of trafficking survivors can be
seen as a partial manifestation of Lesotho's commitment to combating this form of exploitation.
However, the mere enactment of legislation marks only the initial phase, as the effectiveness of
any legislation hinges upon its proper implementation.
This dissertation examines the implementation of the Act and assesses its efficacy in upholding
the rights and welfare of trafficked survivors. Utilising an extensive literature review, qualitative
interviews, comparative analysis with best practices from other nations, and legal scrutiny, this
study evaluates the degree to which the Act has been put into practice and identifies the challenges
encountered during its execution. The research probes into the Act's provisions concerning
prevention, protection, prosecution, and collaborations among key stakeholders. Additionally, it
scrutinizes the alignment of the Act with international standards and analyses the experiences of
various stakeholders, including governmental bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations, and law
enforcement agencies.
By illuminating both strengths and weaknesses, this study aims to facilitate policy discussions,
steer future interventions, and advocate for a more efficient response to combat Trafficking in
Persons in Lesotho, all while safeguarding the rights and dignity of trafficking survivors. Thresearch findings contribute to the existing literature on anti-trafficking endeavours and propose
recommendations to bolster the protection of human trafficking survivors. These
recommendations encompass training programs for law enforcement and relevant authorities, the
allocation of adequate resources for victim support services, and fostering cross-border
cooperation and collaborations
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Keywords
Trafficking in persons, anti-trafficking, Act 2011, Lesotho, human trafficking