Trafficking in persons in 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