I would like to congratulate Malta on its efforts to apprehend, try and duly punish human traffickers.

Save the Children Canada operates several anti-child trafficking projects in West Africa and we have been made aware that Malta was becoming a transit country for trafficked West African children on route to Europe and even North America.

It is important to remember that trafficked children are also separated or unaccompanied children, separated from parents and country of origin and as such need special protection under the law.

If child victims are too frightened to speak out against the perpetrators of this crime, very few traffickers and their intermediaries will be apprehended, never mind get the maximum sentences for this crime against humanity.

Thus all effort must be made in both the national and international contexts of taking a clear stand, not just against human trafficking, but child trafficking as well.

Anita Sheth

Senior Analyst

Advocacy, Policy & Research

Save the Children Canada

www.savethechildren.ca