Justice Sey, who stepped in for the Chief Justice of The Gambia, was speaking at the opening of a day’s session on Trafficking-In Persons convened by the National Agency Against Trafficking-In Persons (NAATIP) targeting magistrates held at Ocean Bay recently.
Justice Sey while referring to the act as a form of modern-day slavery, explained further that victims are subjected to force, fraud or coercion to compel them to provide commercial sex, debt bondage services or involuntary services.
Victims of this crime, she added, can be men and women as well as young children and teenagers.
She also talked about the Act that criminalises both sex and labour trafficking and prescribed a penalty of 15 years to life imprisonment and a fine between D50,000 and D500,000.
She, however, pointed out that it is pertinent to note that Trafficking-In Persons (amendment) of 2010 has amended Section 28 of sub-section (4) of the 2007 Act by substituting the word (fifteen) the word (fifty) and in sub-section (5) by substituting the word (life imprisonment) with the words sentence of death.
‘Magistrate and judges play a crucial role in human trafficking by adjudicating cases and upholding the rights of victims and survivors. The ability of magistrates and judges to mete out appropriate sentences and penalties for a trafficker, sends a strong message that trafficking will not be tolerated, especially considering the severity of the crime and factors such as coercion or exploitation of vulnerable victims.’
Justice Sey acknowledged that human trafficking is a global menace that requires efforts from all stakeholders including the judiciary.
To that end, she described the forum as crucial in the pursuit of justice and human rights and for calls for the support of all to end the menace.
