Embassy of the United States Yaounde, Cameroon

The Honorable Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice,
The Honorable Ministers of Labor and Social Insurance,
Social Affairs, Women Empowerment and Family,

The Honorable Secretary of State for Defense, in charge of National Gendarmerie,
Mr. General Delegate for National Security,
Honorable Members of Parliament
Ladies and gentlemen,

Each year, millions of people all over the world – including the United States - are tricked, sold, or forced into human trafficking.   Most are women and children.  A lack of knowledge, weak application of legal rights and insufficient support mechanisms further isolate trafficking victims from receiving justice.  There are no easy solutions to combating trafficking, but its magnitude requires quick action.  Just like the abolitionists movements against slavery in the 18th and 19th century, the international community has begun a global movement to end trafficking in persons and Cameroon needs to join the fight.  As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, “Trafficking in persons is a form of modern-day slavery, and we strive for its total abolition.  Future generations will not excuse those who turn a blind eye to it.” 

I am proud to address this seminar which will promote a multi-disciplinary strategy to combating trafficking in persons.  The United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking In Persons, Especially Women and Children in 2000 marked a significant milestone in international efforts to stop the trade in people.  However, there is much more that every country needs to do to stop this phenomenon. 

Every year the U.S. Government publishes a global report on Trafficking in Persons to highlight the problem throughout the world.  The report ranks each country in the world according to a Tier system indicative of its progress in combating trafficking.  It so happens that this year’s report will be released today at 10 am Washington time and will be available on the web at www.state.gov/g/tip.  I’m prevented from detailing the report or any country’s ranking until its official release – but I encourage you all to read it later today online. 

It will probably not surprise you that the report includes coverage of Cameroon’s trafficking in persons challenge.  The Government of Cameroon has made some efforts to combat trafficking in persons, such as establishing an inter-agency working group and passing specific legislation on child trafficking.   Local NGO’s have done good work in withdrawing, educating, training and rehabilitating victims. I visited one of these NGOs several weeks ago in Bali in the Northwest Province and saw the impressive work that Nkumu Fed Fed does to give victims a new life.  I know there are others who are equally committed – and I salute your work!

Despite those achievements, there is much more to be done.  In Cameroon there is still no law prohibiting the trafficking of adults and the draft national plan for combating trafficking has not moved forward.   Enforcement of the 2005 law prohibiting child trafficking remains weak, as many police officers, prosecutors and judges are unaware of the law.   To my knowledge, there has not yet been a single prosecution or conviction of a trafficking in persons case under the 2005 law. 

We have supported anti-trafficking efforts in Cameroon for a number of years.  Our collaboration with African countries through the West Africa Cocoa/Commercial Agriculture Program (WACAP), which ended in 2006, removed 1,600 children, some of whom were trafficked, from hazardous work in Cameroon’s cocoa farms and prevented 379 other children from entering the workforce.   In addition, the program helped 800 parents prevent their children from entering the workforce or being trafficked, using education and income generating activities. WACAP has also created a common initiative group of tea farmers who now produce and label their tea “Child Labor Free.” 

We have supported a number of NGO efforts over the years, including Nkumo Fed Fed.  I am very pleased that the US Government is now able to fund the American Bar Association’s efforts here, working with government officials to implement a program to develop and apply a specific legal framework to fight against trafficking in persons.  However, a program alone cannot stop trafficking. It is important that the government continues to make this a priority and use its resources and political will to bring about change. 

I am impressed by the level and quality of the participants in this training seminar.  Hopefully with your devotion and commitment, Cameroon will quickly move forward in combating trafficking.    We will continue to support the efforts of the Government of Cameroon because we are fighting for a common cause.   As part of a global effort, we are fighting for the lives of millions of people who suffer from one of the most devastating evils of the 21st century.   I wish you great success in your work.