Human trafficking in West Africa

Trafficking in persons, a contemporary or current form of slavery, is a violation of human rights that constitutes a crime against the individual and against the State. The topic of human trafficking in West Africa is of particular interest especially in this time of economic crisis where traffickers take advantage of illegal migration to get in touch with migrants. Trafficking in persons is also a violation of international family law, as some forms of trafficking occur through the misuse or abuse of customary practices. Conversely, some customary practices, which can be considered as an infringement of human rights and dignity of persons, can contribute to trafficking. This book tries to show the different cases of exploitation that we know in the region, such as the example of the Malians, where often a person who is unable to pay his debts to his creditor, will make a pact that consists of handing over his own children to his creditor, who in turn will bring them to Senegal until the debt is extinguished, and then he will bring them back to their parent.