Minister Marc-Elie Nelson (left), Mr André IBRÉUS, President of CNLTP (centre) and Hector Bedy NICOLAS, Vice-President (right)•©️picture : MAST
Port-au-Prince, July 30, 2026.- On July 29, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) announced a series of measures to strengthen the fight against trafficking in persons in Haiti. Following a meeting with the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons (CNLTP), Minister Marc-Elie Nelson unveiled an immediate action plan that included revitalizing the committee, providing financial resources and creating a special fund to protect victims and implement the National Strategy 2025-2035.
The Government of Haiti intends to intensify its fight against trafficking in persons. Meeting with members of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons (CNLTP), the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, Marc-Elie Nelson, reaffirmed the authorities' commitment to make this a national priority.
The exchanges provided an overview of the situation and the legal framework for the fight against trafficking in persons, including the Palermo Protocol, ratified by Haiti, as well as the Act of 30 April 2014 on combating trafficking in persons. Officials also highlighted the four focal points of the CNLTP, namely prevention, victim protection, punishment of perpetrators and development of partnerships.
Participants emphasized that several forms of trafficking continue to affect the country, including the phenomenon of domestic children, forced recruitment of minors by armed groups, forced labour and cross-border trafficking. Women and children remain the main victims of these practices.
To strengthen the institutional response, Minister Marc-Elie Nelson announced three immediate actions. The first concerns the revitalization of the CNLTP by replacing the missing representatives within the member institutions. The second provides for the allocation of financial resources to enable the committee to effectively implement its action plan. Finally, a special fund will be set up to ensure sustainable funding for prevention, protection and assistance to victims.
Funding for the National Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Persons 2025-2035, published in Le Moniteur on December 30, 2025, is one of the Department's priorities. According to MAST, this roadmap should serve as a framework for state interventions over the next decade.
At the end of the meeting, Minister Marc-Elie Nelson called for the mobilization of public institutions, civil society organizations and international partners to strengthen the fight against what he calls a serious human rights violation.
W.A.
