Rwanda has prevented 673 folks from being trafficked since 2025 via enhanced border screening programs, together with digital applied sciences used to detect and cease suspected circumstances earlier than they happen, Minister of Justice Emmanuel Ugirashebuja has mentioned.
Ugirashebuja made the remarks on Thursday, July 23, whereas showing earlier than the Senate Committee on International Affairs, Nationwide Unity and Safety to debate Rwanda’s implementation of worldwide commitments on stopping and combating human trafficking.
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The minister mentioned the Directorate Normal of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) has established programs aimed toward strengthening the prevention of cross-border human trafficking.
These embody the Interactive Superior Passenger Data (iAPI) system, Passenger Identify File (PNR) system, Facial Recognition System (FRS) and Doc Fraud Detection (DFD) system.
“These applied sciences have helped stop 673 folks from being trafficked since 2025,” Ugirashebuja mentioned.
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He mentioned the programs have been complemented by thorough screening at borders and steady coaching programmes involving Rwanda’s border officers and officers from neighbouring nations to strengthen their skill to fight cross-border crimes.
Ugirashebuja mentioned human trafficking stays a posh crime as a result of traffickers typically function throughout totally different nations, making prevention and investigations more difficult.
He added that Rwanda has additionally continued consciousness campaigns via group gatherings, colleges, discussions with native leaders, transport operators, and media platforms to assist stop folks from falling into trafficking networks.
The minister mentioned the federal government can be strengthening cooperation with different nations to forestall trafficking, noting that stopping folks from being trafficked earlier than they depart the nation is more practical than addressing circumstances after victims have already been exploited.
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Senator Hadija Murangwa, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on International Affairs, Nationwide Unity and Safety, mentioned extra efforts are wanted to deal with the mindset amongst some younger those who alternatives overseas robotically translate into higher lives.
She mentioned some younger individuals are influenced by false info and guarantees shared via totally different platforms, with out totally understanding the dangers related to travelling to unknown locations.
“Some younger folks have a mindset that going overseas is at all times an excellent alternative, however they don’t realise that they might be heading to a spot the place they have no idea what awaits them. We have to assist them perceive that alternatives additionally exist the place they’re identified and supported,” Murangwa mentioned.
She mentioned some victims solely handle to hunt assist after experiencing exploitation overseas, including that traffickers typically take away identification paperwork and communication gadgets from victims, making it troublesome for them to contact households or authorities.
“Stopping somebody from being trafficked is less complicated than attempting to repatriate them after they’ve already gone via that have. That’s the reason consciousness and cooperation with different nations are vital,” she mentioned.
Ugirashebuja mentioned Rwanda continues to strengthen measures beneath the nation’s legislation on stopping, suppressing and punishing human trafficking and exploitation of others, which relies on 4 pillars: prevention, prosecution, safety of victims and partnership.
He mentioned whereas expertise and consciousness campaigns have helped stop trafficking, authorities proceed to encourage residents to share info that may help in figuring out trafficking networks and defending potential victims.
