A New Research Project

Information on trafficking body parts has previously been based almost entirely on hearsay and has been easy for both Governments and Civil Society to claim it either does not occur or is so infrequent it does not merit any response or attention. The findings in the report however, show that regular mutilations occur both in South Africa and Mozambique and body parts are forcibly removed from children and adults causing death or severe disability. Throughout the report, informants share personal experiences which confirm that body parts are taken across the border between South Africa and Mozambique. Through numerous accounts, both hearsay and firsthand, from Civil Society and Government institutions, the following questions are answered:

• What is the incidence and prevalence of trafficking body parts in South Africa and Mozambique?
• What are the macro (socio-economic, cultural, political, historical), interpersonal and individual factors that lead to trafficking body parts?
• What policies and programmes are in place to counter trafficking body parts?
• How can Civil Society and Governments use this information to improve their programmes?

The report documents that body parts are frequently trafficked in South Africa and Mozambique and so-called witchdoctors, usually through a third party, actively seek human body parts from live victims to be used in their medicine. The research found that it is a commonly held belief in South Africa and Mozambique that traditional medicine, when made with body parts, is stronger and more powerful.

The report highlights that the policies and programmes in place to counter trafficking body parts are practically nonexistent. The limited policies that could be used to counter this activity are out of date and not generally enforced.

The report draws attention to the lack of an internationally recognised definition of trafficking body parts and highlights that without such a definition, any attempt to counter this activity

will be impaired and these Human Rights violations will continue unabated.

Currently a second project is underway which aims, through workshops and focus groups, to reduce the demand through awareness raising activities within the affected communities and the supply, through initiatives with Traditional Healers associations, Border Officials and Governments. The objectives include carrying on with research, raising awareness, civic education, collecting and monitoring information and data on trafficking body parts, providing support for victims, witnesses and communities affected by the problem.

An important aspect of the project community involvement. The project will focus on working with communities towards a solution for reducing the supply and demand of body parts and it is essential that the behavior change comes from within the community. It is hoped that the communities will also feel valued as their ideas will implemented and they will be able to take ownership of both the problem and the solution.