UN Expert Urges Liberia to Prioritize Trafficking Prevention in Development Plans

MONROVIA, Liberia – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, Siobhán Mullally, has called on Liberia to prioritize the prevention of human trafficking in its development agenda. 

In a statement following a 10-day official visit to the country, Mullally emphasized the need for concerted action to combat trafficking, particularly for labor and sexual exploitation, which disproportionately affects women and girls.
"This is a key moment in Liberia’s development planning," Mullally said.

"It is an opportunity to strengthen child protection and gender equality across sectors such as justice, child protection, labor, and health." She urged the Liberian government and relevant stakeholders to incorporate the prevention of trafficking into the country's broader development framework.

Mullally noted that Liberia is currently in the process of launching the next phases of its National Action Plan to combat trafficking in persons, the National Development Plan, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. She encouraged the government to place a strong focus on trafficking prevention and accountability within these initiatives.

"Anti-trafficking measures are not yet fully integrated into the sustainable development agenda, despite shared objectives like improving child protection, access to education and healthcare, and empowering women and girls," Mullally added. "Now is the time to address these gaps."
Background on Human Trafficking in Liberia
Human trafficking remains a serious issue in Liberia, with women and children being especially vulnerable to exploitation.

 Liberia's history of civil war and political instability, coupled with high poverty levels and weak law enforcement, has created conditions that allow traffickers to target vulnerable populations. Many women and girls are trafficked for forced labor, including in domestic work, agriculture, and illicit mining, while others are at risk of sexual exploitation in both local and regional trafficking networks.

The country's legal framework to combat trafficking has improved in recent years, but enforcement remains a challenge due to limited resources, corruption, and a lack of specialized training for law enforcement. Additionally, victim assistance services are scarce, especially in rural areas, and many trafficking survivors face significant barriers to reintegration and protection.

Mullally's visit highlights these ongoing challenges and calls for stronger action to integrate anti-trafficking measures into Liberia's development plans. She emphasized that addressing trafficking is not only a matter of law enforcement but also of providing social services, protecting vulnerable communities, and creating economic opportunities to reduce susceptibility to exploitation.

Victim Protection and Community-Led Initiatives
During her visit, Mullally observed that assistance and protection services for trafficking victims are severely limited, especially in rural areas and border crossings. She stressed the need for expanded safe housing and child protection measures, particularly for women and girls in vulnerable situations, such as those living in mining and concession areas or in street situations.

Mullally also emphasized the importance of community-led anti-trafficking initiatives, developed in consultation with all affected groups, including persons with disabilities.

"Victims' lived experiences must shape the response to trafficking," she said, urging that accessible assistance and protection services be provided for all.

The Special Rapporteur highlighted the high risks of trafficking in key sectors, particularly domestic work, agriculture, and illicit mining, where women and girls are often subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation. She also raised concerns about the risk of trafficking in supply chains, including the fisheries sector, where inspection and enforcement capabilities remain inadequate.

Mullally called for enhanced coordination within Liberia's national anti-trafficking taskforce and other relevant agencies. She stressed the need for stronger technical and financial support, improved oversight, and more robust labor inspections to combat trafficking effectively.

While acknowledging Liberia's progress in anti-corruption efforts, including the establishment of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Mullally emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators of trafficking accountable. "Effective investigations and access to justice for victims must remain a priority," she said.

Mullally will present a full report on her visit to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025, which will include detailed recommendations to help Liberia strengthen its response to human trafficking and better protect its most vulnerable populations.