Train-the-trainers course for law enforcement officers on protection of victims of human trafficking and smuggled migrants in Central Asia

On 25 -27 September 2012, UNODC convened the regional train-the-trainers course for law enforcement officers "International best practices and Standard Operating Procedures in effective identification and protection of victims of human trafficking and smuggled migrants" in Almaty, the Republic of Kazakhstan. This event was conducted in the framework of the UNODC's regional project "Strengthening the capacity of the Central Asian Republics to protect and assist victims of human trafficking and smuggled migrants, especially women and children, in partnership with NGO and civil society actors" which is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the United States.

The training course was moderated by Ms. Olga Zudova, Senior Regional Legal Adviser of the UNODC ROCA and the sessions were delivered by the panel of international experts: Mr. William Brockwell, Law Enforcement Training Expert (the United States), Mr. Jesper Lund, Criminal Intelligence Officer of Trafficking in Human Beings Unit of Interpol-Lyon (France), Mr. Hiroyuki Yamamoto, Associate Expert of the Anti-Organized Crime Branch of the UNODC Headquaters (Austria) and Mr. Enrico Boninsegna, Associate Expert of the Legal Unit of UNODC ROCA. Additionally, three representatives of other international organizations were also represented during the course: Ms. Gulnara Dusupova, Project Manager of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nikolai Botev, the Head of the UNFPA Sub-Regional Office in Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Ms. Gulnara Kadyrkulova, Programme Specialist of the UNFPA Sub-Regional Office in Almaty (Kazakhstan).

The main participants of the course were the 24 trainers/experts currently working at the specialized national training centers which provide advanced training for law enforcement officers under the Ministries of Interior, National Security Services and Migration Service Agencies of all Central Asia countries.

The course allowed the participants to study main topics of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) manual including the international tools by which law enforcement personnel can provide assistance and protection including the modules on pro-active and re-active investigation techniques, criminal intelligence gathering, analysis, and information exchange. A new training film developed by UNODC ROCA "Victims Not Villains" on the victim interviewing techniques was demonstrated during the course.

UNODC ROCA will continue provision of technical assistance to the Central Asia countries in their efforts to run effective programs to ensure protection and assistance to victims and witnesses of human trafficking and smuggled migrants.