97 Ethiopians intercepted in suspected case of human trafficking

ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 8  — Authorities in Ethiopia’s northern Amhara region disclosed they have intercepted 97 Ethiopians in a suspected case of human trafficking.
In a press statement released Friday, the Bati district communication office of the Amhara region said 52 males and 45 females were recently intercepted by security forces while allegedly being smuggled to an undisclosed location.
The statement said the individuals, including children aged 13 to 15, were believed to have Saudi Arabia as their final destination. It also said police plan to release the 97 individuals after providing them with orientation training on the dangers of illegal migration.
Human trafficking goes through three different routes, with the northern one going through Sudan, Libya and the Mediterranean Sea to reach the European mainland. The second route goes east through Somalia, Djibouti and the Red Sea to reach Saudi Arabia. The third one goes south through Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique to reach South Africa.
Ethiopia has in recent years toughened its child welfare laws and anti-trafficking legislation to protect thousands of minors and youth that are estimated to be trafficked to various foreign destinations annually.  (Xinhua)