Human trafficking among nationals, refugees and migrants in Tunisia

Abstract

Abstract Human trafficking is a worldwide phenomenon organized by national and international gangs and generating important financial resources. Refugees and migrants constitute the main victims of such organized crimes. At national level, human trafficking is facilitated by poverty, social exclusion and all forms of vulnerability. School dropout at young age is among determinants of Child labor, organized begging, drug trafficking and involvement in criminal gangs. Economic and political migrants are easy targets to national and international traffickers. The 2018 report shows that documented cases have increased from 28 in 2015 to 780 in 2018. Women and children represent the high majority respectively 75 % and 50 %. Criminal activities include forced employment (55 %), economic exploitation of children (33 %), sexual exploitation (10 %) and slavery like practice (2 %). Victims of human trafficking are from Tunisia (55 %), Ivory coast (40 %) and Caucasian countries (5 %). The reported cases are provided social and health services by government and national and international civil society organizations active in Tunisia. Victims suffer stigmatization particularly for HIV carriers and also depression and psychological disorders. Civil society organizations in addition to service delivery, facilitate case notifications and encourage victims for self-reporting which remains low (10 %). The objectives of the paper are to: Shed light on human trafficking in Tunisia particularly among refugees and migrantsAddress ways and means of preventing such criminal phenomenonInclude care of victims of human trafficking in the social and health package for refugees and migrants.