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Repetition

Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. The Committee previously took note of the Combating of Human Trafficking Act of 2014, punishing trafficking in persons with imprisonment of up to ten years. It also noted the establishment of a National Committee for Combating Trafficking (NCCT). The Committee requested the Government to provide information on the practical application of the Combating of Human Trafficking Act of 2014, as well as on the activities of the NCCT, and on the adoption of any national strategy to combat trafficking in persons. It also requested the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure protection and assistance to victims of trafficking.

The Government indicates in its report that the National Strategy to combat trafficking in persons was adopted in 2016. Subsequently, a National Action Plan to combat human trafficking was developed for the period 2018–19. Its objectives were the prevention of trafficking in persons, protection and assistance to victims, investigation and prosecution of traffickers, and partnerships and cooperation. The Government states that a number of workshops and seminars were organized and staff trained on the issue of trafficking in persons. The Government further indicates that the Combating of Human Trafficking Act of 2014 is implemented through specially established courts. However, the Committee notes the absence of information on the number of prosecutions and convictions of traffickers, as well as on the measures taken to support victims of trafficking.

The Committee notes that Article 57 of the Transitional Constitution of Sudan, signed on 17 August 2019, provides that all forms of trafficking in persons are prohibited. It also notes that the Combating of Human Trafficking Act of 2014 was amended by the Act on Various Amendments of 30 April 2020 to tighten the penalties on trafficking in persons by doubling the prison sentences. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to implement the objectives of the National Action Plan to combat human trafficking, as well as the results achieved in this regard, and whether a new anti-trafficking plan has been developed. The Committee also requests the Government to provide information on the cases of trafficking of persons identified, investigated and prosecuted, as well as on the number of convictions handed down by the courts specially established for the implementation of the Combating of Human Trafficking Act of 2014, and the specific penalties imposed on perpetrators. Lastly, the Committee requests the Government to provide information on any measures taken to ensure protection and assistance to victims of trafficking, as well as the number of victims who have benefited from such assistance.