Eleven men, six of them Nigerian, are on trial in a Dutch court for human trafficking. They are accused of responsibility for the mysterious disappearance of young girls from asylum seekers' centres in The Netherlands. The girls were then forced to work as sex slaves in several European countries.

Disappearance

Provided with false passports, the young Nigerian girls were instructed to seek asylum in the Netherlands. After they were taken into an asylum centre for minors, the girls disappeared with the help of the traffickers and were later found in sex clubs and brothels in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. Between 2006 and 2007 nearly 140 young girls have disappeared.

According to the Dutch Interior Ministry, the kidnappers subjected the girls to voodoo sessions during which samples of their blood, nails and hair were taken. They were threatened with vengeance if they refused to repay their "debt"  to the traffickers.

Refusing to testify

Afraid of voodoo rituals and reprisals against their families in Nigeria., the girls initially refused to testify against their captors.

The Dutch government sought the help of a Nigerian pastor who helped to convince several of the victims that it was in their best interests to bring charges against those who exploited them. As a result, ten girls made statements which allowed the Dutch authorities to bring the traffickers to trial.

Tackling human trafficking

Since the arrest of the suspects in 2007, fewer girls have disappeared from asylum centres and the Dutch government has stepped up its fight against human trafficking. The minimum sentence has been increased to eight years imprisonment with a maximum of eighteen years and steps have been taken to cooperate more closely with the Nigerian authorities.

Victims monitored

The girls are now monitored 24 hours a day to protect them from the traffickers. Some complain about their lack of freedom and feeling imprisoned.  Organisations supporting victims of trafficking argue for more shelters for those who testifiy against their captors. They say victims should also have more access to psychotherapy programmes.

The trial, n the city of Zwolle, is expected to last at least another four weeks.

read more: bnr