This workshop highlighted that irregular migration is closely linked to trafficking and smuggling of human beings. Young people who embark on this dangerous adventure often end up being victims of trafficking. The main causes mentioned include poverty, social and economic disparities, the search for better livelihoods abroad, as well as conflicts or natural disasters. Furthermore, in Cameroon, many children under the care of guardians are abused and exploited due to their weakness, vulnerability, and inability to defend themselves.

Some programmes implemented by IOM since 2009 to support the Government of Cameroon aim at effectively combating trafficking and smuggling of human beings and assisting the victims. Within this framework, as mentioned by Tatiana Lobe, Project Officer, IOM has implemented projects that have resulted, among others, in the publication of a counselling manual for victims of trafficking in persons; establishment of a toll-free number, 1503, for reporting cases of trafficking in persons; facilitation of the voluntary return of about 6,000 irregular Cameroonian migrants; support for the economic, social and/or psychosocial reintegration of 4,000 of them; rehabilitation and equipping of a temporary reception centre for voluntary returnees; several capacity building activities for state actors involved in the fight against trafficking and smuggling. In a bid to “Prevent, Protect and Prosecute” as underlined by the theme chosen by IOM in its awareness campaign for this edition, it is important to have a good grasp of the legal framework in this field in Cameroon.

Angelina Atabong, a lawyer and facilitator of the workshop recalled that trafficking in persons is addressed by the law of 14 December 2011 on trafficking in persons, and by Article 342-1 of the Penal Code which punishes trafficking in persons. According to Atabong, the 2011 law focuses on prosecution as it punishes perpetrators of trafficking and smuggling, but “has almost no provisions for prevention, victim support and cooperation”. While acknowledging the Government of Cameroon’s efforts in the fight against trafficking and smuggling, she stressed the need for a holistic Cameroonian legal framework to include punishment of perpetrators, prevention, victim assistance, witness protection and cooperation.