The update was shared during a June 2, 2025 press briefing on the state of human trafficking in Rwanda. It follows a recent operation on April 23, 2025, when 10 Rwandans were returned home after being trafficked to Myanmar. Efforts are ongoing to rescue five more individuals from the same country.
According to RIB spokesperson Dr. Thierry Murangira, 52 of the 57 individuals intercepted before being trafficked were women, highlighting the disproportionate impact on women, who are often targeted for forced prostitution.
The number of intercepted cases has risen significantly; between July 2019 and June 2024, Rwanda prevented 39 people from being trafficked, a figure that has been surpassed in just the past eight months.
Dr. Thierry Murangira stressed that even a single case of human trafficking deserves great attention.
'The gravity of human trafficking should not be measured by numbers. Even if it's one person out of a thousand, it remains a serious human rights violation. No one should ever be treated as a commodity,' he said.
He called for stronger collaboration in combating trafficking, noting that some victims are unknowingly aided by family members or relatives during the process.
'The fight is complicated by the fact that some victims believe those intervening are blocking their chance, be it a relationship with a foreign partner or a job opportunity abroad,' he added.
Dr. Murangira clarified that while most interceptions occur at Kigali International Airport, Rwanda is not a source of internal trafficking. However, traffickers from neighboring countries can sometimes use Rwanda as a transit point.
'Human trafficking does not occur within Rwanda, although traffickers may use the country as a transit point,' he said. 'When such cases are identified, the victims are intercepted. Moreover, Rwanda is among the few nations that actively invest significant effort in repatriating its trafficked citizens,' he said.
He also highlighted links between trafficking and other crimes, citing the 2024 discovery of a strip club in Kigali where women were reportedly exploited for profit through forced nudity and sexual acts. He urged both the government and the public to reject such activities.
RIB advises the public to remain cautious when presented with suspicious overseas opportunities, especially when there are no known contacts or clear reasons for the offer.
Dr. Murangira also noted that other crimes in Rwanda may be linked to human trafficking. He cited the discovery of a strip club in Kigali in 2024, where dancers performed naked and were reportedly involved in sexual exploitation for someone else's benefit. He urged the government and public to strongly oppose such activities.
RIB advises the public to remain vigilant when approached with suspicious offers of opportunities abroad, especially when they have no known contacts or legitimate reason to be selected for such offers.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-repatriates-105-human-trafficking-victims-in-eight-months
