The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has expressed concern over the increased cases of drug and human trafficking involving Malawi Nationals.

A statement signed by MHRC chairperson Scader Louis said according to social and mainstream media sources, there are a number of Malawians, mostly young women and a few young men that have been caught in drug trafficking, both in Malawi and foreign countries.

The statement cited the most recent syndicate of human trafficking involving Malawian and foreign nationals has been busted and it has revealed that a number of Malawian women have been trafficked to other countries under the guise of labour migration.

It says such people have been subjected to modern forms of slavery, sexual exploitation and physical abuse in countries like Oman, United Arab Emirates South Africa and others.

Reads part of the statement: “Due to the current economic hardships being faced in the country, most women, girls and boys are looking for greener pastures outside the country and in the process, some have fallen into wrong hands and have ended up being trafficked.”

The statement further warned that anyone can become a victim of human trafficking.

MHRC highlighted some of the rights which are violated in human trafficking including right to life, personal liberty and security, not to be submitted to slavery, servitude, forced labour, and many more.

Testimonies from some of the survivors of human trafficking show that the victims are offered lucrative employment by their traffickers and their agents.

“Victims are usually educated Malawians who are lured by promises of descent employment and air travel, only to end up destitute of foreign countries where their traffickers withhold their passports, mobile phones and traveling documents before subjecting them to inhuman treatment,” reads the statement.

However, MHRC has commended government for investigations and arrests that have already been made.