Update by: Social Affairs Department African Union Commission (AUC) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 1 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS African Union COMMission Initiative against Trafficking = AU.COMMIT

2 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS Adopted in Tripoli, November 2006 by AU-EU Ministers, four Major AU Migration Policies: Migration Policy Framework for Africa African Common Position on Migration and Development Joint AU-EU Declaration on Migration and Development Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Especially Women and Children AU.COMMIT

3 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT Ouagadougou Action Plan Political and legal commitment of AU-EU Unique legal protection for children and women Due to: - Vulnerability - Harmful cultural traditional practices - Increasing sex tourism

4 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT 3P Strategy: 1.P revention of trafficking 2.P rotection of victims and 3.P rosecution of traffickers and their accomplices

5 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT 5 Core Principles in the Campaign 1.Victims-Protection Approach 2.The best interest of the Child 3.Empowerment of Women and Girls 4.The Root-Cause Approach 5.Respect for AU and UN Conventions

6 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT Measures called for in Ouagadougou Action Plan Prevention and awareness raising Capacity building for institutions Training of criminal justice system officials Support Protection and Rehabilitation Centres for victims of trafficking

7 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT Core message of the AU.COMMIT Campaign: Curb Both the Supply and Demand Side of Trafficking The methods for AU.COMMIT Campaign to use both soft and hard tools or “smart tool” by mixing both

8 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT Soft tools - supply side of trafficking, namely: Socio-Economic Development Poverty Eradication Prevention Protection

9 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT Hard tools deal with the demand side of trafficking Reform of laws Prosecution of criminals Disruption of network of crime Coordination among countries of destination, transit and origin

10 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT AU.COMMIT Campaign Activities Launch : 16 June 2009 Regional Workshops on Operationalisation of 2007 Ouagadougou Action Plan - March 2010 (ECOWAS); - December 2010 (IGAD and EAC) W/s on Prevention – May 2011 W/s on Protection/Prosecution – 2011/2012

11 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT - PREVENTION Empowerment, education and training and employment Raise awareness Mobilise support Rehabilitation centres Reduce the demand Eliminate harmful customs and traditional practices Further research and information

12 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT - PROTECTION Measures for victim protection and assistance Avoid criminalisation of victims of trafficking Special measures to address the plight of children- headed households, especially girls. Promote an HIV/AIDS sensitive approach and protect the dignity and human rights of victims of HIV/AIDS, taking the special needs of children into account.

13 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT - PROSECUTION Legislative Framework Policy development Law Enforcement

14 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT – COORDINATION aka 4 th “P” - PARTNERSHIPS Integrated approach Share experiences and lessons learned Enhance bilateral and multilateral co-operation Creation of focal points at national and regional levels

15 AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION: DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS AU.COMMIT Thank you for your attention!