NORTH AFRICA AND
THE MIDDLE EAST
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− Algeria −
The current legislation on trafficking in persons in Algeria was introduced in
November 2009, and it covers all forms of trafficking indicated in the UN Trafficking
in Persons Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
Between 2010 and 2011, four persons were prosecuted, and one convicted. In 2014,
one person (male Algerian citizen) was investigated, prosecuted, and convicted of
trafficking in persons.
Source: Ministry of Justice/Algerian Police.
Victims
Between 2010 and 2011, five victims of trafficking for the purpose of begging were
detected. In 2014, one adult woman was identified as a victim of trafficking for the
purpose of sexual exploitation. The victim was an Algerian, exploited in her country.
Source: Ministry of Justice/Algerian Police.
Additional information
The national authorities of Algeria have developed a national strategy on prevention
and repression of trafficking in persons which was released on 20 October 2015. An
inter-ministerial committee, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has been created to
develop a national action plan and a report of the activities in place to combat
trafficking in persons in Algeria. The national action plan identifies the national focal
point on the issue of trafficking in persons, which is in charge of coordinating the
actions of different ministries, to reinforce the legislation on trafficking in persons, to
strengthen the national capacity on the matters of detection and identification of
victims of trafficking, to improve international cooperation, and to implement a
communication plan for advocacy purposes.
− Bahrain −
The current legislation on trafficking in persons in Bahrain covers all forms of
trafficking indicated in the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
Number of cases recorded for trafficking in persons, 2010-August 2015
40
35
30
25
20
35
15
26
10
19
5
10
8
2
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
JanAug2015
Source: Anti Trafficking in Persons Division/Ministry of Interior.
Number of persons convicted of trafficking in persons, by gender, 2010-August
2015
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
2014
JanAug2015
6
3
0
8
12
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
Females convicted
4
0
2
Males convicted
4
0
4
Source: Anti Trafficking in Persons Division/Ministry of Interior.
The convicted persons were citizens of Bahrain and of countries in the Middle East,
Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Source: Anti Trafficking in Persons Division/Ministry of Interior.
Victims
Victims of trafficking victims detected, by age and gender, 2010-August 2015
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
JanAug2015
Adult women
32
5
20
24
49
18
Adult men
11
119
47
60
Source: Anti Trafficking in Persons Division/Ministry of Interior.
Victims of trafficking victims detected, by form of exploitation, 2010-August
2015
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
JanAug201
5
Sexual exploitation
20
1
11
18
42
10
Forced labour
23
5
8
125
58
69
Source: Anti Trafficking in Persons Division/Ministry of Interior.
Victims of trafficking victims detected, by area of origin, 2012-August2015
Americas, 9
North Africa, 13
East
Asia, 18
South Asia, 112
Source: Anti Trafficking in Persons Division.
− Egypt −
The specific offence of trafficking in persons was introduced in May 2010. The
current legislation on trafficking in persons in Egypt covers all forms of trafficking
listed in the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
Investigated cases of trafficking in persons and organizing organ trafficking,
2012-2015
60
50
40
30
52
20
23
10
21
9
0
2012
2013
2014
2015
Sources: Department of Combating Women Exploitation Crimes, General Administration for
Protection of Public Morals; Department of Combating Minor Exploitation, General Administration for
Juvenile Welfare; and Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Follow-up Department, Public
Security Sector.
Persons arrested for trafficking in persons and organizing organ trafficking, by
gender, 2012-2015
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2012
2013
2014
2015
Females
16
22
55
21
Males
14
18
38
17
Sources: Department of Combating Women Exploitation Crimes, General Administration for
Protection of Public Morals; Department of Combating Minor Exploitation, General Administration for
Juvenile Welfare; and Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons Follow-up Department, Public
Security Sector.
Persons convicted of trafficking in persons, by gender, 2012-2014
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2012
2013
2014
Females
4
3
6
Males
10
17
21
Sources: Department of Judicial Inspection, Public Prosecution, as per case statistics provided by
different Prosecutions all over Egypt.
Victims
Detected victims of trafficking in persons, by age and gender, 2012-2015
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2012
2013
2014
2015
Men
1
Women
18
5
2
Boys
4
24
48
37
Girls
8
17
37
27
29
Sources: Department of Combating Women Exploitation Crimes, General Administration for
Protection of Public Morals; Department of Combating Minor Exploitation, General Administration of
Juvenile Welfare; and Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons; Department, Public Security
Sector.
Detected victims of trafficking in persons, by form of exploitation, 2012-2015
Trafficking for
begging, 126
Trafficking for
sexual
exploitation, 67
Trafficking for
forced labour,
24
Trafficking
for organ
removal, 41
Trafficking for
other
exploitation, 7
Sources: Department of Combating Women Exploitation Crimes, General Administration for
Protection of Public Morals; Department of Combating Minor Exploitation, General Administration of
Juvenile Welfare; and Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons; Department, Public Security
Sector.
Detected victims of trafficking in persons, by region of origin 2012-2015
East Asia, 19
Egypt domestic
trafficking, 239
Sub-Saharan
Africa, 7
Sources: Department of Combating Women Exploitation Crimes, General Administration for
Protection of Public Morals; Department of Combating Minor Exploitation, General Administration of
Juvenile Welfare; and Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons; Department, Public Security
Sector.
− Israel −
The current legislation on trafficking in persons in Israel covers all forms of
trafficking indicated in the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
Number of investigations for trafficking in persons,
2010-2014
50
45
40
35
30
25
45
20
15
29
24
10
17
5
7
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Source: Israeli Police.
Number of persons suspected of trafficking in persons, by gender,
2010-2014
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Females
6
9
9
3
3
Males
14
53
36
16
15
Source: Israeli Police.
Number of persons prosecuted for trafficking in persons,
2010-2014
60
51
50
40
30
24
20
15
8
10
6
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Source: Israel State Attorney’s Office.
Number of persons convicted of trafficking in persons,
2010-2014
35
33
30
25
20
20
18
15
13
10
6
5
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Source: Israel State Attorney’s Office.
In the vast majority of the cases, the convicted persons were Israeli citizens
Source: Israel State Attorney’s Office.
Victims
Number of victims referred to the shelters Ma’agan, Atlas, and Tesfa by the
police, by age and gender, 2010-2014
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Women
15
16
33
39
44
Men
63
10
53
26
27
Children
0
0
0
17
0
Source: Shelters Ma’agan, Atlas, and Tesfa.
Number of victims referred to the shelters Ma’agan, Atlas, and Tesfa by the
police, by form of exploitation, 2010-2014
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Forced labour
72
18
54
28
27
Slavery for sexual services
0
0
21
31
30
Sexual exploitation
6
8
11
6
11
Source: Shelters Ma’agan, Atlas, and Tesfa.
.
Number of victims referred to the shelters Ma’agan, Atlas, and Tesfa by the
police, by citizenship, 2012 – 2014
Eastern Europe
and Central
Asia, 27
Ethiopia, 77
Israel domestic
trafficking, 23
Eritrea, 72
Thailand, 28
Other , 14
Source: Shelters Ma’agan, Atlas, and Tesfa.
− Jordan −
The current legislation on trafficking in persons in Jordan was adopted in March
2009. This law covers all forms of trafficking indicated in the UN Trafficking in
Persons Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
Investigated cases of trafficking in persons, 2010-2013
35
30
25
20
15
29
26
10
12
5
17
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
Source: Anti-Human Trafficking National Committee.
Persons investigated for trafficking in persons, by gender, 2010-2013
60
50
8
7
40
10
30
20
Females
46
10
38
27
2
11
2011
2012
Males
0
2010
2013
Source: Anti-Human Trafficking National Committee.
According to the national authorities, 19 persons were convicted of trafficking in
persons between 2010 and 2013.
Source: Directorate of Human Rights and Family Affairs.
Victims
Detected victims of trafficking in persons, by gender, 2010-2013
90
80
70
60
27
51
50
Females
40
Males
34
30
54
20
10
15
30
15
9
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
Source: Anti-Human Trafficking National Committee.
Detected victims of trafficking in persons, by form of exploitation, 2009-2013
Unspecified, 29
Domestic
servitude, 38
Child
trafficking, 2
Sexual
exploitaiton, 5
Forced labour,
18
Source: Anti-Human Trafficking National Committee.
Victims of trafficking in persons assisted by Jordanian Women's Union, by area
of citizenship, 2009-2013
East Asia, 7
Bangladesh, 20
Middle East, 9
Other South
Asia, 6
Source: Anti-Human Trafficking National Committee.
− Kuwait −
The current legislation on trafficking in persons in Kuwait was enacted in 2013 and it
covers all forms of trafficking indicated in the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
The national authorities reported two cases of trafficking in persons in the year 2015.
In connection with these two cases, 10 persons were investigated, and three convicted
of trafficking in persons in the same year. The persons convicted were all foreign
males.
Source: Ministry of Interior.
Victims
The national authorities reported that seven female trafficking victims - all from the
Philippines - were identified in 2015. One victim was trafficked for sexual
exploitation, and six for mixed sexual and labour exploitation. In addition, nine other
victims from different West African countries were detected and repatriated in the
same year.
Source: Ministry of Interior.
− Lebanon −
Enacted in September 2011, the current legislation on trafficking in persons in
Lebanon covers all forms of trafficking indicated in the UN Trafficking in Persons
Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
Number of trafficking in persons offences, 2012-July 2015
20
18
16
14
12
10
19
8
15
6
4
2
0
7
2
2012
2013
2014
Jan-July2015
Source: Office for control of trafficking in persons and protection of ethics.
Number of persons convicted of trafficking in persons, 2012-July 2015
20
18
16
14
12
10
19
8
15
6
10
4
2
0
2
2012
2013
2014
Source: Office for control of trafficking in persons and protection of ethics.
Jan-July2015
Victims
Number of detected victims of trafficking in persons, 2012-July 2015
35
30
25
20
33
15
26
10
19
5
8
0
2012
2013
2014
Jan-July2015
Source: Office for control of trafficking in persons and protection of ethics.
All victims detected in the year 2015 were trafficked from neighbouring countries.
Source: Office for control of trafficking in persons and protection of ethics.
− Morocco −
The specific offence criminalizing trafficking in persons was passed in the Parliament
in August 2016. This new law covers all aspects listed in the UN Trafficking in
Persons Protocol definition. The offences of child forced labour and forced
prostitution were used to prosecute trafficking-related cases during the reporting
period.
Investigations and suspects
The authorities report having prosecuted cases of trafficking in persons by use of
other criminal offences. In 2012, the investigation of 22 cases of sexual exploitation
brought about prosecutions of 25 persons. More than 71 persons have been prosecuted
for the crime of facilitating child prostitution. Fifteen cases have been recorded for the
offence of exploiting children for begging. Sixteen persons have been prosecuted for
mistreatment of children by hand of the employer.
Source: Ministry of Justice and of Public Freedom.
Victims
The authorities report having detected about 800 victims of offences connected to
trafficking in persons between 2012 and 2015. Among them, about 400 were children.
Most of the victims were recorded in connection with trafficking in persons for sexual
exploitation. About 50 children were reported as victims of exploitation in begging.
About 100 children were reported to be exploited in drug trafficking.
Source: Ministry of Justice and of Public Freedom.
− Oman −
The current legislation on trafficking in persons in Oman covers all forms of
trafficking indicated in the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
Number of persons prosecuted for trafficking in persons, by gender, 2013-2015
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
2013
2014
2015
females
1
2
2
males
12
8
9
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The authorities reported that 13 cases of trafficking in persons were investigated between
2013 and 2015. During the same period, seven persons were convicted. They were all males;
two were local citizens, and five were citizens of Bangladesh.
Victims
Detected victims of trafficking in persons, by age and gender, 2013-2015
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
women
men
2013
2014
2015
4
3
1
3
girls
1
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
All the victims detected were trafficked for sexual exploitation. Ten were citizens of
South Asian countries, and two were citizens of North African countries.
− Sudan −
The specific offence of trafficking in persons was introduced in Sudan in March 2014.
It covers all forms of trafficking indicated in the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
Due to the recent introduction of the specific offence of trafficking in persons, the
authorities did not record criminal cases under this offence during the reporting
period.
Source: Executive Office of the Secretariat of the National Committee.
Additional information
Established by the Combating of Human Trafficking Act of 2014, the National
Committee for Combating Human Trafficking is the national authority on trafficking
in persons. Supervised by the Minister of Justice, it is headed by the Undersecretary
of the Ministry of Justice and comprises representatives of the Ministries of Defense,
Interior, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Labour, Information, Education, Social Welfare and
Social Security, Health, Science, and Communication, and representatives of States,
the Commission of Refugees, the Advisory Council on Human Rights, the
Intelligence and Security Service, the Secretariat of Sudanese Working Abroad, and
the National Council for Child Welfare.
Source: Executive Office of the Secretariat of the National Committee.
− Tunisia −
The specific offence criminalizing trafficking in persons was passed in the Parliament
in July 2016. This new law covers all aspects listed in the UN Trafficking in Persons
Protocol definition. Before the passage of this new law, no specific offence was
criminalizing trafficking in persons in Tunisia.
Investigations and suspects
In the absence of a specific trafficking in persons offence during the period here
considered, the Ministry of Justice reported numbers of cases prosecuted under other
offences. During the judicial year 2014/15, 335 cases of begging were recorded. In
addition, 24 cases of kidnapping, 31 cases of prostitution, 3 cases of procurement, and
81 cases of violation of labour laws were reported during the same period.
Source: Ministry of Justice.
During 2015, the Ministry of Interior reported 443 victims of sexual exploitation of
girls, and 66 Tunisian girls who were victims of sexual exploitation abroad.
Moreover, 41 victims of exploitation through begging, 54 victims of procurement, 10
victims of exploitation of labour, and 22 victims of organization of prostitution.
Source: Ministry of Interior.
Victims
According to a study conducted by the International Organization for Migration
(IOM) and the National Authorities of Tunisia, the country is an origin for crossborder trafficking. Tunisian women are trafficked for sexual exploitation to other
parts of the Middle East, especially the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Some men are trafficked to Europe for forced labour.
Domestic trafficking affects children. Boys are exploited in forced labour, for
begging, and petty crimes. Girls, for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and
forced labour. Women are domestically trafficked for sexual exploitation, and persons
with disabilities are exploited for begging.
Source: Etude exploratoire sur la traite des personnes en Tunisie, 2013, IOM.
− United Arab Emirates −
The current legislation on trafficking in persons in the United Arab Emirates covers
all forms of trafficking indicated in the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol.
Investigations and suspects
Number of investigated cases of trafficking in persons, 2007-2015
70
60
50
40
30
58
47
42
20
10
37
20
19
15
17
2014
2015
10
0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Source: National Committee to combat Human Trafficking.
Number of persons prosecuted for trafficking in persons, by gender, 2010-2015
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2010
2011
2012
Females
36
40
27
Males
133
71
122
Total
2013
2014
2015
50
46
54
Source: State Courts/National Committee to combat Human Trafficking.
Number of convictions for trafficking in persons, 2007-2015
40
35
30
25
20
35
31
15
10
19
12
5
5
6
2007
2008
6
5
3
0
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Source: State Courts/ National Committee to combat Human Trafficking.
Victims
Victims of trafficking in persons by age and gender, 2010-2015
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Women
2010
2011
2012
2013
139
44
72
19
3
5
Men
2015
20
24
2
Girls
10
4
Boys
3
1
Total
2014
Source: Office of Public Prosecution/National Committee to combat Human Trafficking.
Victims of trafficking in persons, by region of origin, 2012-2015
Others, 8
North Africa and
the Middle East, 8
Eastern Europe, 9
Sub-Saharan
Africa, 5
East Asia, 29
South Asia, 77
Source: National Committee to combat Human Trafficking.
All victims detected between 2012 and 2015 were females trafficked for the purpose
of sexual exploitation.
− Yemen −
There is no specific trafficking in persons offence in Yemen.
Suspects and investigations
The Yemeni Organization to Combat Trafficking reported that criminal investigations
on trafficking in persons took place for the removal of organs. As of 2013, authorities
claim hundreds of cases of trafficking in which victims were recruited in Yemen and
trafficked abroad for organ removal. However, due to the absence of proper
legislation, no prosecutions or convictions have been reported during the period
considered.
Source: Yemeni organization to combat trafficking.
Victims
The exploitation of mass populations of migrants arriving from the Horn of Africa by
sea to the coasts of Yemen is reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights. The exploitation is organized by Yemeni smuggling networks, as well
as by smugglers from neighbouring countries. Typically, migrants are forced to pay a
ransom, are tortured, exposed to sexual violence, and slavery. In 2013, the Yemeni
army released a large number of Ethiopian migrants living in exploitative conditions
in organized camps close to the border with Saudi Arabia. UNICEF and partner
organizations rescued 347 children (334 boys and 13 girls), and suggested that the
actual number of trafficked children could be higher.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also reports the use of children as
combatants. Government forces and other armed groups continue to enlist children
with the promise of a better life and financial incentives. Family reasons or poverty
and mistreatment by relatives were also reported as motivation to join armed groups.
According to UNICEF, from 1 January to 30 June 2012, 12 children from Abyan were
recruited by the group Ansar al-Sharia; three by the al-Houthi armed group and two
by the First Armoured Division.
Source: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights 2012/2013.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concerns about children working
in the agriculture and fishing sectors or as domestic servants, and at the fact that those
children are forced to carry out hazardous work. The Committee named Yemen as a
source country for children trafficked to neighbouring countries, in particular Saudi
Arabia. It also reports the sale of children for the purpose of removal of organs for
profit, and the trafficking of girls for the purposes of sexual exploitation under the
guise of so-called “tourism marriages” or “temporary marriages,” and for the purposes
of sexual exploitation in hotels and clubs in the country.
Source: Committee on the Rights of the Child.