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Ethiopia ponders stiffer penalties for human smuggling

Addis Ababa - Ethiopia is drafting a new law to stiffen punishments for human trafficking.

The Ministry of Justice old state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate that human smuggling is increasing alarmingly. Ethiopians are among Africans who are trying to reach Europe, and dying en route.

Ethiopia's current laws stipulate prison terms ranging from five to 20 years for crimes related to human smuggling and a maximum fine of $2 500.

Ethiopia's Foreign Minister, Tedros Adhanom, told Parliament last week that most smugglers of Ethiopian migrants are Ethiopians. He said the smugglers have established networks in different migration routes.

Ethiopian officials said they are working to bring migrants home. The Ethiopian Ambassador in Egypt, Mohammed Dirir, said more than 190 Ethiopian migrants in the Libyan cities of Tripoli and Benghazi have registered to return home.

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