Legislature Tightens Law on Human Trafficking
The House of Representatives voted to concur with the Liberian Senate to strengthen criminal penalties for human trafficking and smuggling of migrants.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 7, unanimously voted to concur with the Liberian Senate to strengthen criminal penalties for human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, which include prison sentences up to 20 years and fines up to US$200,000.00.
Accordingly, there shall be payment or restitution made to the victims promptly, upon conviction of defendants with the proceeds from the property seized. Also, the victims of trafficking shall not be held criminally liable for any immigration-related offense, prosecution or any criminal offense.
Fines collected will also be used for victim services and law enforcement.
According to the Bill, the President of the Republic, in an effort to prevent human trafficking, shall appoint an inter-agency task force to develop and implement a national Plan for the provision of trafficking in persons. Such a Task Force should include all aspects of preventing and combating trafficking in-persons including sex and labor trafficking.
The motion for concurrence was proffered by Montserrado County District #16 Representative Dixon W. Seeboe.
The House concurred on Tuesday, September 7 -- the 61st day sitting, following a report from the Committees on Security and Gender, Children and Social Protection, on the Senate's Engrossed Bill #5.
The Bill is titled: "An Act of the Legislature of Liberia to Amend Certain Provisions of an Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons within the Republic of Liberia, of July 5, 2005. It is also known as Regarding Extortion, Environmental Crime, and Illicit Trafficking in Human Beings and Migrant Smuggling, 2012, (Approved April 29, 2013); to Bring the Act to International Standard and in Conformity to all other Treaties Signed and Ratified by Liberia.”
Amended Report from the House’s joint Committee on Labor, Judiciary, National Security and Gender, Children and Social Protection on the Senate’s Engrossed Bill #5, entitled: “An Act of the Legislature of Liberia to Amend Certain Provisions of an Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons within the Republic of Liberia, of July 5, 2005; also known as Regarding Extortion, Environmental Crime, and Illicit Trafficking in Human Beings and Migrant Smuggling, 2012, (Approved April 29, 2013); to Bring the Act to International Standard and in Conformity to all other Treaties Signed and Ratified by Liberia.”