Somaliland: Immigration Director briefs Committee for Youth Empowerment, illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking

Hargeisa, July 31, 2013 (SDN) —Somaliland immigration department director Mohamed Ali Yusuf today appeared before the recently appointed Presidential committee task with Youth Empowerment,illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking  the  main cause of mass exodus of Somaliland youth for lack of employment opportunities in the country.

The head of the immigration department during his first appearance before the Presidential committee said, “During the past month the immigration department has taken steps which are vital in the fight against human trafficking by raising awareness which focus on preventing and combat this phenomenon by putting in place strict border checks and monitoring procedures, especially by strengthening cooperation and coordination between the police and judicial authorities of the neighboring countries,”.

Col. Mohamed went on to say, “We have in our custody would be human traffickers and those who were caught while trying to leave the country illegally, laws should be put in place by the government so as to establish framework of common provisions in order to tackle certain issues, such as criminalization and penalties or aggravating circumstances in the case of trafficking in human beings,”.

The minister of labor and social affairs Hon Mahmoud Ahmed Barre(Garaad)speaking on behalf of the Presidential committee said, the next meeting which will be held coming month will focus on identifying the causes of human trafficking and the drivers of illegal immigration and how to incorporate human trafficking information into our school syllabus, professional associations’ conferences, trainings, manuals, among other materials as relevant ways of raising awareness and lastly how to stop it.

SDN Hargeisa