{Youth in Kamonyi District have been sensitized on the dangers of human trafficking as means to further put ideas together in community policing to combat the modern day slavery that affects mainly the young generation.}

Inspector of Police (IP) Augustin Mbonyumugenzi, while sensitising about 500 catholic youth in Kamonyi on January 31, emphasised that although human trafficking is not a common phenomenon in Rwanda, a “single case is not acceptable.”

He told them that‎ the youth are the main target although a number of victims have been rescued and suspected traffickers arrested in collaboration with Rwandans and regional police institutions and organisations.

The youth were drawn from Kabgayi and Kayenzi Parishes.

“Human traffickers, normally promises people of employment opportunities in foreign countries and better schools, however, when victims, mostly girls, are forced into other exploitative activities like are gotten to these countries, they instead end up doing commercial sex and forced labor,” IP Mbonyumugenzi said.

IP Mbonyumugenzi advised them to be more vigilant and concious of people who tend to offer them such good opportunities abroad, and importantly take a courageous step to tip concerned authorities including Police, to find out about their real motives.

“How do you say that a person who you are not related or you have never met before, at first site promises to take you to foreign countries to get you a high paying job. There is always a bad motive behind this offer, the first thing that should always come to your mind is to begin suspecting such people and as a result rush to notify concerned authorities like Police and local leaders,” he advised the youth.

He further urged the youth to refrain from engaging in the trade and consumption of narcotic drugs, the substances he noted, would affect their future.

IP mbonyumugenzi appealed to participants to have ownership in the fight against criminal activities by providing credible information to security organs to ensure those involved are arrested.

Father Ronald Munyangaju of Kayenzi Parish Church, appreciated the message passed on to the youth by Rwanda National Police, and asked the youth to spread the message to effectively combat any case of human trafficking.