N'DJAMENA - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Siobhán Mullally, has welcomed significant progress made by Chad in strengthening its legislative, institutional, and policy responses to trafficking in persons. Key developments include the adoption of specific anti-trafficking legislation, the launch of a National Action Plan, and the establishment of the National Commission to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
"I particularly commend the Government of Chad for its reception and hosting of more than 1.5 million refugees, and its continuing willingness to welcome those fleeing conflict and persecution," said Mullally at the conclusion of her 10-day visit to Chad, which included stops in N'Djamena, Koumra, and Adré. "This generosity is all the more remarkable given Chad's position at the heart of one of the most complex and protracted humanitarian crises in the Sahel region."
Despite these advances, Mullally highlighted urgent challenges: Limited international support for Chad's humanitarian response leads to heightened risks of exploitation of refugees and Chadian returnees. Trafficking in persons targeting refugee communities requires immediate global attention and significantly increased support for humanitarian organisations, UN agencies, and host communities to ensure effective prevention and protection.
Child trafficking for forced labour is prevalent in high-risk sectors such as agriculture, mining, and domestic work. In rural communities, boys are frequently sold to cattle-herders, or are abducted in the context of communal conflicts and trafficked for forced labour, particularly in the Moyen-Chari province. Child marriage is widespread despite the constitutional prohibition and legislative and policy efforts. Girls and young women are being trafficked for sexual exploitation and for forced labour in domestic households, where they also endure sexual exploitation and physical violence. Continuing insecurity in the Lake Chad basin region contributes to serious risks of trafficking in persons, particularly affecting children and young people.
Trafficking for sexual exploitation continues to be under-reported due to stigma, impunity, and limited access to justice. Migrant and rural women face heightened risks, including debt bondage, movement restrictions, and third-party control.
"Corruption, weakness in the rule of law and a lack of independence of the judiciary are at the heart of a continuing climate of impunity for all forms of trafficking in persons," said Mullally. "Without urgent and comprehensive justice and security sector reform, efforts at prevention of trafficking will continue to be futile."
