CMNT_TITLE

The Committee notes the comments made by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), dated 13 March 2002, on the application of the Convention. The above comments were forwarded to the Government on 18 July 2002 so that it could make the observations that it considers appropriate.

In its comments, the ICFTU refers to the trafficking of women and girls within the country and abroad for the purposes of forced prostitution and the trafficking of illegal migrant workers from Central America to Mexico and the United States.

The Committee notes that the Government has replied to the comments of the ICFTU in a communication dated 28 November 2002 merely referring to its report on this Convention.

The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report in reply to the Committee’s general observation on the measures taken or contemplated to prevent, suppress and punish the trafficking of persons for the purpose of exploitation. The Committee notes the Government’s statements relating to the Mexican legislation with regard to the protection that is accorded against forced labour in general, debt slavery, the exploitation of prostitution and the penalties that can be imposed on those responsible. The Committee notes that no citations were made in the report of the legal texts or provisions to which reference was made. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the relevant texts and provisions.

With regard to the protection of victims who are prepared to give evidence against reprisals by exploiters, the Government indicates in its report that "the federal Government adopts various measures which vary according to the type and circumstances of the risk incurred by the person to whom protection is to be provided". The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures concerned.

The Committee notes that the situations to which the ICFTU refers in its comments could involve serious violations of the Convention and it hopes that the Government will provide information on the measures which have been taken in relation to the matters raised.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2003.]