Legal action intensified against human traffickers: Ethiopia’s Federal Police Commission

Addis Ababa, February 27, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Federal Police Commission disclosed that it has been working closely with both domestic and international partners as well as intensifying legal action to hold human traffickers accountable.

Deputy Commissioner General of Federal Police Commission, Zelalem Mengiste human trafficking has been becoming a highly organized and networked cross-border crime.

According to the deputy commissioner, human trafficking is also resulting in severe consequences including numerous deaths and injuries.

To address this transboundary crime, Zelalem stressed the need for maximizing concerted efforts.

He also stated that the human trafficking networks originating from Ethiopia would pass through many international routes, including South Africa, Brazil, Bangkok, Myanmar and Vietnam.

To this end, efforts are being reinforced in collaboration with stakeholders to enable persons to move only through legal means and avoid illegal migration, the deputy commissioner pointed out.

Individuals who are involved in trafficking persons, deporting and smuggling individuals between Ethiopia, Yemen, Libya, and Europe are being apprehended in collaboration with countries and Interpol, he told local newswire service ENA.

Zelalem revealed that 88 cases on suspects of trafficking have been filed in the past six months.

Finally, individuals, mainly illegal brokers engaged in cybercrime have been apprehended, he said.