Equatorial Guinea: Challenges in Combating Corruption, Organized Crime, and Human Trafficking
Country Report Highlights Key Issues
Equatorial Guinea is facing numerous challenges related to corruption, organized crime, and human trafficking. The country has ratified international agreements aimed at combating these issues, but the government has not fully implemented measures to address them.
Ineffective Enforcement and Judicial System
- Lack of Independence: The judicial system is not independent, with the president serving as chief magistrate.
- Specialized Units Needed: There are no specialized units to counter organized crime, resulting in a scarcity of convictions for traffickers and prosecution of trafficking cases.
Prison Conditions and Law Enforcement Issues
- Overcrowding and Poor Conditions: Prisons are overcrowded and have poor conditions, including sanitation issues, denial of medical care, visits, food, and physical abuse.
- Limited Presence: Law enforcement has a limited presence in major cities and rural areas, often engaging in extortion.
- Minimal Efforts to Counter Trafficking: There are minimal efforts to counter human trafficking.
National Security Forces and Economic Environment
- Torture and Violent Acts: National security forces engage in torture (despite a law banning it) and other violent acts during interrogations with impunity.
- Weak Anti-Money Laundering Laws: The implementation and enforcement of anti-money laundering laws are weak, with officials investigated for money laundering and corruption.
Business Climate and Civil Society
- Pervasive Corruption: Equatorial Guinea is one of the worst countries to conduct business due to pervasive corruption, risks of extortion, and onerous bureaucratic procedures.
- Low Identification and Referrals: The government has tried to develop formal victim screening and referral procedures but identification and referrals to protective services remain low.
Human Rights and Internet Control
- Constant Human Rights Violations: The government is accused of constant human rights violations, persecution of political opposition, and censorship.
- Restrictions on NGOs: Freedom of association and assembly is severely curtailed, with restrictions on the registration and operation of NGOs.
- Heavy Internet Control: The internet is heavily controlled by official authorities, with blackouts occurring during specific events and cyberspace surveillance systems used to monitor political opponents and human rights activists.
Conclusion
Equatorial Guinea faces significant challenges in combating corruption, organized crime, and human trafficking due to a lack of effective governance and oversight. Addressing these issues will require sustained efforts from the government, civil society, and international partners to promote transparency, accountability, and protection for victims of exploitation.