[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

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

The Government of Niger 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 Niger remained on Tier 2. These efforts included identifying and referring significantly more trafficking victims to services and creating an inter-ministerial committee to combat forced begging. The government investigated and prosecuted more traffickers and increased anti-trafficking training for front-line officials. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. The government reported minimal law enforcement action to address hereditary slavery and child forced begging, and courts convicted fewer traffickers. Niger’s law did not prescribe penalties for adult sex trafficking commensurate with those for other serious crimes, such as rape. Victim services, especially outside of the capital, remained insufficient.

Prioritized Recommendations

Increase efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking crimes, including hereditary slavery and child forced begging, and seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, which should involve significant prison terms.

Amend the 2010 anti-trafficking law to increase the base penalties for adult sex trafficking so they are commensurate with those for rape or kidnapping.

Train judicial and law enforcement officials on investigating and prosecuting trafficking crimes using the 2010 anti-trafficking law and Article 270 of the penal code.

Institutionalize training for front-line actors, including national police, border police, social workers, and judicial officials, on the NRM and victim identification procedures.

Proactively screen for trafficking indicators among vulnerable populations, including migrants, IDPs, communities historically exploited in traditional slavery, children exploited in forced begging, and children associated with armed groups and refer trafficking victims to care using the NRM.

Increase availability of comprehensive victim services in coordination with civil society, especially outside of the capital.

Continue to fund and empower the National Coordinating Commission for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (CNCLTP) and the National Agency for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons and the Illicit Transport of Migrants (ANLTP/TIM) to execute their mandates.

Finalize a NAP to combat trafficking and allocate resources to its implementation.