Proclamation No. 909/2015 on Prevention of Trafficking in Person

Brief Description

Proclamation No. 909/2015 to Provide for the Prevention and Suppression of Trafficking In Person and Smuggling of Migrants is a comprehensive anti-trafficking law that imposes stringent penalties ranging 15 to 25 years of imprisonment and fines of 150,000 to 300,000 Ethiopian birr. The punishment for aggravated trafficking offences including trafficking of children, women, or any one impaired; resulting in physical or psychological harm; committed using drugs, medicine or weapons as a means; committed by public official or civil servant; or by a person having power over the victim goes from 25 years to life imprisonment with fine of 200,000 to 500,000 Ethiopian birr. The new proclamation also introduced a compensation scheme for victims to be collected from perpetrators. The introduction of this law contributes to appropriate legal response to protect women and girls from trafficking and exploitation.