Thursday, October 20, 2016
EAC’S citizens in Diaspora to get support while in violent crimes
EAST African Community
(EAC)’s citizens encountering violent crimes in foreign countries will get
support from their country embassies, thanks to EAC Anti-Trafficking in Persons
Bill, 2016. Before the East African
Legislative Assembly (EALA) passed the Bill here yesterday, several members
debated it extensively, with Ms Susani Nakawuki asking embassies abroad to
increase efforts in helping the EAC citizens in difficulties. “The primary
concern of the Embassy or Consulate should be the safety of citizens, arranging
for medical assistance, providing guidance on regulations and contacting next
of kin in the event of violent attack, accident or death,” she said. Ms
Nakawuki accused many EAC member embassies abroad of not offering enough
support to the victims, arguing that it’s high time changes were made amid this
era of escalating human trafficking in the pretext of searching jobs. She said
most of the victims were women as another legislator, Adam Kimbisa drummed up
for increased control of the permissions to leave the country. “Details of
where our citizens are going (abroad) should be made available before the
leaving approval.” Ms Dora Byamukama, who moved the Bill, Mr Martin Ngoga and
Ms Maryam Ussi who presented the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges report
on behalf of the substantive Chairperson, Mr Peter Mathuki, asked all members
to endorse the proposed legislation. The Bill now awaits the assent of the EAC
Heads of State in line with Article 63 of the Treaty of the Establishment of
the EAC. Should the Heads of State assent the Bill, it will become an Act of
the Community, taking precedence over the laws of the partner states on the
matter. The Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for the prevention of
trafficking in persons, prosecution of perpetrators of crime, provision of
protection mechanisms and services for the victims of trafficking and
strengthen partnerships against trafficking in persons in regional bloc.
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