The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a nationwide hotline, 8797, designed to empower law enforcement and provide critical support to victims. The initiative was officially unveiled on Tuesday in a collaborative effort that brought together representatives from the MoJ, the Federal First Instance Court, international civil society organizations, and survivor support groups.
Speaking at the launch event, MoJ State Minister Belayhun Yirga underscored the government's unwavering commitment to fostering safe migration pathways and effectively addressing irregular migration. He emphasized that this commitment is being realized through the implementation of comprehensive policies, robust legal frameworks, and necessary structural improvements that align with both national and international standards.
Minister Belayhun further detailed the government's multi-pronged strategy to combat the root causes of irregular migration. This includes the implementation of social and economic programs designed to create more employment opportunities both domestically and abroad, extensive public awareness campaigns, enhanced border management strategies, and a strengthening of law enforcement capabilities.
The newly launched hotline, 8797, will operate in four widely spoken languages within Ethiopia: Amharic, Afan Oromo, Tigrigna, and English. This multilingual accessibility is designed to ensure that a broader segment of the population can readily utilize the service. Minister Belayhun emphasized the hotline's crucial role in addressing serious criminal activities such as migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
Beyond its function in improving overall migration governance, the 8797 hotline will serve as a vital lifeline for individuals who have fallen victim to human trafficking and migrant smuggling. It will act as a central point of contact for information dissemination, referrals to relevant support services, provision of psychological support, and the collection of crucial feedback.
Minister Belayhun acknowledged the perilous conditions and severe threats to life, rights, and dignity often faced by Ethiopian migrants who undertake irregular journeys to destination countries. He expressed sincere gratitude to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Ethio telecom, and the Ministry of Health for their invaluable support in establishing the hotline. He also called upon all government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant stakeholders to actively collaborate to ensure the effective implementation and success of this vital tool.
Echoing this sentiment, IOM Ethiopia Chief of Mission Abibatou Wane Fall emphasized the profound significance of the 8797 hotline in the ongoing fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling – heinous crimes that strip individuals of their most fundamental human rights.
Highlighting the global scale of modern slavery, which affects an estimated 50 million people worldwide, Abibatou pointed out the particular vulnerability of many migrants in Ethiopia to violence, abuse, and deprivation. She stressed that the newly launched hotline will serve as a crucial catalyst in preventing trafficking and risky migration, providing essential protection to victims, and supporting the prosecution of perpetrators by offering reliable information, facilitating timely victim referrals, and aiding law enforcement agencies in their investigations.
"This hotline is not just an information tool," Abibatou stated emphatically. "It is a lifeline for victims, a sign of hope for survivors, and a powerful weapon in our fight to combat human trafficking. It is a bridge to safety, support, and justice for many who find themselves in vulnerable and exploitative situations."
Abibatou concluded by reaffirming the IOM's unwavering commitment to continued collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the National Partnership Coalition on Migration to further strengthen the newly launched hotline and other critical counter-trafficking initiatives. The story is from the Ethiopian Press Agency.