Anyone who deals in any way with a natural person (selling, buying, offering for sale, using, transporting, delivering, harboring, receiving, etc.) within the country or across borders, when this is done by force, threat, abduction, fraud, abuse of power, or exploitation of a person’s vulnerability or need, or in exchange for money or benefits for the purpose of exploitation, is considered to have committed the crime of human trafficking.
Exploitation includes prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation, child pornography, forced labor and servitude, slavery and practices similar to slavery or servitude, begging, and the removal of human organs or tissues. The victim’s consent is not valid when any of these means are used. Furthermore, the use of any means is not required for the crime to be committed against children and those lacking legal capacity, and their consent, or the consent of those responsible for them, is not valid.
The law punishes the crime of human trafficking with severe imprisonment and a fine of no less than fifty thousand pounds and no more than two hundred thousand pounds, or the equivalent of the value of the benefit obtained, whichever is greater
The penalty is increased to life imprisonment and a fine of one hundred thousand to five hundred thousand pounds in certain cases, such as: if the crime is transnational, or committed by an organized criminal group, or committed with a threat of murder or torture, or if the perpetrator is the spouse of the victim or one of his ascendants or descendants or one who has authority over him, or a public official who exploited his position, or if the crime resulted in death, permanent disability or infection with an incurable disease, or if the victim was a child or a person with a disability
The law imposes penalties of imprisonment and fines on anyone who is aware of a human trafficking crime or attempted crime and fails to report it to the competent authorities. The penalty is increased if the person failing to report is a public official and neglects their duties. The law also mandates the confiscation of funds, tools, and means of transport obtained from or used in the commission of these crimes, while protecting the rights of bona fide third parties
The law extends to certain crimes committed outside Egypt by non-Egyptians, provided specific conditions are met. These conditions include the crime being committed on board an Egyptian means of transport, the victim being Egyptian, the planning or financing taking place within Egypt, or the crime having implications for the security of Egypt or its citizens
The application of the law extends to include certain crimes committed outside Egypt by non-Egyptians when certain conditions are met, such as the crime taking place on board an Egyptian means of transport, or the victim being Egyptian, or the planning or financing having taken place inside Egypt, or the crime having effects on the security of Egypt or its citizens
The law establishes a fundamental principle: victims are not held criminally or civilly liable for any crime arising from or directly related to their status as victims of human trafficking. The state is obligated to protect victims, provide them with healthcare, psychological, educational, and social services, rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society, and ensure their safe return to their countries of origin if they are foreign nationals
It also guarantees them important procedural rights, such as: their physical and psychological safety; the preservation of their identity and personal dignity; their right to be informed of legal procedures; their right to be heard and have their opinions considered; the provision of legal assistance; and the implementation of necessary measures to protect them and witnesses and prevent any intimidation or influence on them
The law establishes a fund to assist victims of human trafficking, reporting to the Prime Minister. The fund is granted public legal personality and is responsible for providing financial assistance to victims of these crimes. The fund’s resources consist primarily of fines, confiscated assets, and other assets, in addition to donations and grants
The law also stipulates the establishment of a National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, reporting to the Prime Minister. This committee is responsible for coordinating national policies, plans, and programs to combat human trafficking, protecting victims, providing them with services, and safeguarding witnesses
Arab Republic of Egypt – Fund to Assist Victims of Human Trafficking
