Zambia’s biggest issues crime-wise are in human rights abuses by the authorities and human trafficking.
Human rights abuses by the authorities are numerous and include unlawful killings, torture, beatings, life-threatening prison conditions, restrictions on freedom of speech, breach of privacy, government corruption, discrimination against women and children as well as abuse and trafficking, restrictions on labour rights, forced labour, child labour and lack of action by the government to punish offenders of these abuses.
Human trafficking is numerous throughout the country and Zambia is used as a source, transit and destination point for many women and children being trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labour. Child prostitution is rampant in some areas, most frequently in urban centres, and it is common for relatives or acquaintances of the victim to facilitate their prostitution.
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