http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/official-ethiopia-detains-200-suspected-human-traffickers-31116828
Official: Ethiopia Detains 200 Suspected Human Smugglers
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — May 18, 2015, 7:40 AM ET
By ELIAS MESERET Associated Press
Two hundred suspected human smugglers have been detained as part of
the Ethiopian government's efforts to stem the number of citizens
trying to illegally migrate to Europe, a senior official said.
The government is looking for 80 other alleged smugglers who are
conducting overseas operations, Ethiopian Federal Affairs Minister
Shiferaw Teklemariam told the Ethiopian News Agency late Sunday.
"The detentions are part of the government's efforts to bring
perpetrators to justice," he said. "People should understand the fact
that illegal migration is costing lives and leaving many injured. The
youth in particular should stop considering migrating as an option and
we are carrying out works to help in job creation at home."
Molla Abo, the mayor of the city of Hosaena in southern Ethiopia, said
many suspected human smugglers from the region have been arrested in
the past few weeks.
"This is besides the education we are providing to the youth, parents
and religious leaders about the problems of illegal migration," he
said.
Along with neighbor Eritrea, Ethiopia is the source of many of the
migrants making the perilous journey by sea to Europe, often via Sudan
and then Libya.
Ethiopia is drafting a new law to stiffen punishments for human
trafficking in an attempt to stem a wave of dangerous migrations to
Europe, the Ministry of Justice said.
Ethiopia's current laws stipulate prison terms ranging from five to 20
years for crimes related to human smuggling and a maximum fine of
$2,500.
Received on Mon May 18 2015 - 12:16:38 EDT