The Role of Local Governments in Combating Human Trafficking in Ethiopia: The Case of Addis Ketema Sub City of Addis Ababa City Administration Wereda seven
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Date
2018-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Currently human trafficking is affecting almost all countries of the world including Ethiopia. Thousands of Ethiopians are exposed to devastating challenges and multitude massacres in the deserts, sea routes as well as in destination countries. Though the government of Ethiopia had enacted a comprehensive anti-human trafficking law, ratified a number of international conventions, and has been making counteracting efforts, human trafficking is still increasing in Ethiopia. Hence, this study questions why? And aims to investigate the anti-human trafficking measures and examine the local practices particularly, in Addis Ketema sub city Wereda seven. There is an urgent need of local, national, regional and international cooperation to combat this exploitation, from government officials to law enforcers and different sectors. Local governments in particular play a key role in improving human trafficking prevention, victim protection and prosecution of traffickers. The general objective of this study is to examine the role of local governments in combating Human Trafficking based on the case of Addis Ababa. For the purpose of this study the research methodology was designed the qualitative case study. In order to pursue the objective of the study the researcher use multi-stage sampling technique and relied on both primary and secondary data source. For the primary data the key informants were selected by using judgmental/purposive sampling technique. Though, both primary and secondary data sources were used in gathering relevant information. The technique of collecting primary data includes in-depth interviews at sub-city and woreda, two focus group discussions with the local officials and community representative. Secondary sources such as published and unpublished materials such as books, proclamation, procedures, directives and manuals are used. Besides, focus group discussion was made with residents of the study area. Consequently, findings of the study show, the issue of human trafficking is mainly connected to individuals’ desire to migrate illegally as an ‘exit strategy’ from poverty, unemployment and lack of economic opportunities in their local area. Though attempts were made to create awareness, provide loans and prosecute traffickers, these attempts could not reduce the problem. Lack of coordination, capacity, commitment, and appropriate amount of resources are the main reasons behind. Local government is crucial to develop democratic structure in federal systems by addressing the grass root society. Accordingly, the importance of local government is increasing in service provision, poverty alleviation and community protection. The study found that local administrative discretionary power is not adequately devolved and accountability to weredas, and also it is not properly designed due to different reasons. It is challenged by many problems such as crucial autonomy still remain in the upper stratum, as well as lack in properly codified rules and regulation in administrative autonomy. As a result, local governments are not mandated effectively as expected in combating human trafficking. In general, this study I argues that antihuman trafficking responses can be successful if the local governments are responsible for their accountability, discretional power and financial abilities. Therefore, it is recommended that local governments need to be granted actual power to combat human trafficking.