The opening this Tuesday, January 9 in France of a trial for human trafficking. This is happening before the Paris criminal court. Six Algerians appear until Friday, January 12, for having drugged unaccompanied Moroccan minors, in order to force them to steal from tourists, at Place du Trocadéro, opposite the Eiffel Tower. Events which took place between mid-2021 and mid-2022.
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An unprecedented trial according to the associations and the defense of these young Moroccans, the youngest of whom was 7-8 years old at the time of the events. In this type of case, it is exceptional that so many victims denounce their alleged exploiters.
Twelve young Moroccans filed a civil suit. But they are largely absent from this trial, the only victim to have agreed to speak will do so this Wednesday, but remotely, by videoconference.
If none of these young Moroccans are at the hearing, it is because they are afraid, summarizes the administrator ad hoc. The one who is their legal guardian during the procedure. Fear of facing those who led them into drugs and violence. Moreover, few civil party lawyers know where their clients are today.
More than a year after the arrest of their alleged exploiters, these young Moroccans are still very suspicious of adults. Life on the street has disrupted their norms: police custody, drugs, friends who die of overdoses, it’s “normal”… Homes and school, “useless”.
Their state of health is worrying. They suffer from post-traumatic stress and multiple addictions.
The administrator quickly understands, when she meets them, at the end of 2022, that the damage is irreversible. Perhaps we should consider declaring them disabled.
Withdrawal is extremely painful, and leaves room for shame. How could they get there? A young person would like to put his childhood in a trash bag and throw it into the sea.
They are going through an existential crisis, their guardian concludes. Even when absent, they need the justice system to recognize them as victims.