[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

THE GAMBIA (Tier 2) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of The Gambia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore The Gambia remained on Tier 2. These efforts included identifying significantly more victims and training officials on the NRM and standard victim identification procedures. The government convicted a sex trafficker for the first time in six years. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. Government shelter staff lacked trauma-informed training and restricted adult victims’ movement outside of the shelter. Despite continued reports of fraudulent labor recruiters exploiting Gambian victims abroad, the government did not take steps to regulate international labor recruitment, including by imposing licensing requirements for recruitment agencies, and it did not hold any fraudulent recruiters accountable for fraudulent recruiting. Government agencies charged with combating trafficking continued to lack resources and training.

Prioritized Recommendations

Increase efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes, separate from migrant smuggling, and seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, including fraudulent labor recruiters and complicit officials, which should include significant prison terms.

Ensure human trafficking cases are resolved through the judicial system rather than extra-judicial or administrative means.

Train shelter staff on victim-centered, trauma-informed care approaches, and ensure freedom of movement outside of the shelter for adult victims; increase the quantity and quality of shelter services.

Proactively screen vulnerable populations, including Gambian migrants, individuals in commercial sex, and foreign workers, for trafficking indicators and refer trafficking victims to appropriate services.

Train law enforcement, diplomatic personnel, service providers, and civil society on the NRM and victim identification SOPs and implement the procedures throughout the country.

Increase protections for labor migrants and reduce risks for trafficking by consistently implementing the national migration policy and pre-departure procedures and eliminating worker-paid recruitment fees.

Amend the labor law to extend protections to domestic workers and regulate labor recruiters; regulate and monitor labor recruitment agencies and investigate entities suspected of fraudulently recruiting workers for exploitation abroad.

Train law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges to investigate and prosecute all forms of trafficking – including child sex tourism – using the 2007 Trafficking in Persons Act.

Empower the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP)’s ability to coordinate the government’s anti-trafficking efforts, including increasing coordination between law enforcement, prosecutors, and social service providers.