Abstract

The purpose of this study Child Trafficking Under the Cameroon Penal Code is aimed at investigating the problem of child trafficking in Cameroon, raising awareness about this problem in the public domain, and an analysis of child trafficking under the Cameroon legal system, as provided for by the Cameroon Penal Code.

Trafficking in Cameroon, an overview of child trafficking, An examination of the effectiveness of the laws punishing child trafficking in Cameroon. The suggestion of policy reforms to effectively protect against child trafficking.

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

 1.1 Background To Study

The trafficking of children is by and large, a most distressing societal ill, and one of the major manifestations of the abuse of human rights, in Cameroon in particular and Africa in general.

According to the United States Department of State study carried out in 2011, Cameroon is a country of origin, transit, and destination of children subjected to forced labor. According to UNCHR Report (2011), trafficking operations in Cameroon usually target two or three children, and may inadvertently occur when parents living in rural areas hand over their children to middlemen promising education, or a better life in the city.

Cameroonian children from the country’s 10 regions involuntarily work in domestic servitude, street vending, mining, agriculture (including on tea or cocoa plantations). And even prostitution. Cameroon is also a transit country for children trafficked between Gabon and Nigeria.

According to The World Factbook, U.S.C.I.A. (2009) as a result of Cameroon’s modest oil resources and favorable agricultural conditions, Cameroon has one of the best-endowed primary commodity economies in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Nevertheless, it faces many of the serious problems which other underdeveloped countries face, such as stagnating per capita income, a top-heavy civil service, and a generally unfavourable climate for investors(both foreign and local)

1.2  Problem Statement

Everybody has the right to life and shall not be held in slavery or servitude, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This instrument (UDHR) prohibits torture in any form. However, this is not the case when children are forced into servitude.

When children are trafficked, their inherent rights are violated. As mentioned most of the trafficked children are used for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, as labourers in plantations or for forced labour in sweatshops, bars, and restaurants.

Child trafficking is part of modern-day slavery. This practice of trafficking is a social ill that needs to be properly addressed. In addition to that, the ignorance and irresponsibility of the parents cannot be overlooked as they expose their children to modern-day slavery.

In addition, this phenomenon of child trafficking seems to be hidden. As a result, cases of child trafficking are not reported to competent officials. This silence is largely due to the fear felt by the poverty and assumed powerless to denounce strong criminal networks with political and financial connections.

Even though a law was promulgated in 2005  by the President of the Republic, penalizing child trafficking, the application of the law is yet to be effective and largely unknown. So, what can be done to put an end to this form of slavery which is fast becoming a very big problem in our society today?

1.3 Objectives Of Study

The general objectives of this study are an investigation of the problem of child trafficking in Cameroon, raising awareness about this problem in the public domain and analysis of child trafficking under the Cameroon legal system, as provided for by the Cameroon Penal Code.

The Specific objectives are as follows:

1. An overview of child trafficking
2. An examination of the effectiveness of the laws punishing child trafficking in Cameroon.
3. The suggestion of policy reforms to effectively protect against child trafficking in Cameroon.