An Ethiopian non-governmental organization focused on combating human trafficking and illegal migration has accused Meta, Facebook’s parent company, of obstructing its vital awareness campaigns by erroneously removing its content.
The Nigat Global Initiative (NGI) reported that a significant advocacy post was deleted from its Facebook page without clear justification. This post included a translated summary of a radio interview with NGI’s founder and CEO, Daniel Melese, which outlined the realities of illegal trafficking and was intended to warn vulnerable individuals.
“The news segment was specifically designed to raise awareness among young people, showing them the true situation on the ground to prevent them from becoming victims,” Daniel stated.
To reach a broader audience, including those living abroad, NGI translated the Amharic audio into English and shared it on social media. However, Meta soon removed the post, citing a violation of its Community Guidelines.
“We were baffled. We appealed the decision and requested a human review of the content, explaining its context and purpose, but our appeal was declined,” Daniel said.
He told Capital that the post highlighted how traffickers use social media to recruit victims, while NGI utilizes the same platforms to combat this crime.
The removed content specifically addressed the trafficking of Ethiopians to Southeast Asia, warning youth to scrutinize job offers in countries like Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia.
Daniel painted a grim picture where victims, including university graduates, are forced into harsh conditions and coerced into participating in criminal scamming operations.
“This is a multibillion-dollar business, making it extremely difficult to free captive individuals,” he noted.
He added that traffickers, often collaborating with Ethiopian accomplices, are now broadly recruiting for these scam centers, not just targeting those with technical backgrounds.
Daniel expressed deep concern over the removal of the content, questioning whether large platforms rely too heavily on artificial intelligence without comprehending real-world contexts. “How can such major media platforms understand real-world crises if they leave the responsibility to AI?” he asked.
Despite these challenges, NGI continues its efforts in collaboration with the government and other organizations. Last year, with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 980 individuals—including graduates and former jobholders—were repatriated.
NGI’s mission encompasses prevention, survivor support, and reintegration through skills training and economic empowerment programs.
“We help survivors and returnees rebuild their lives,” Daniel explained during a media awareness event in Addis Ababa, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to combating trafficking both online and in the community.
