Over 300 practitioners in regions of Uzbekistan improved their knowledge in countering trafficking in persons

UNODC continues its contribution to the enhancement of the local actors’ capacity development in the field of combating trafficking in persons in Uzbekistan. Together with the Sub-Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons, the Ministry of the Interior, and Winrock International, UNODC conducted a two-day Train of Trainer seminar in Qarshi city of Qashqadaryo region. This is the tenth training of the series conducted for territorial commissions throughout the country.

Some 41 regional specialist of the Regional Offices of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Employment and Labour Relations, the Ministry for Support of Mahalla and Family, the Regional Prosecutor's Office, the Regional Court, the Qarshi khokimyat along with civil society organizations enhanced their skills to identify and refer trafficked victims, to detect and investigate trafficking in persons cases, and to develop multidisciplinary and multisectoral cooperation. The trained practitioners will continue conducting trainings to their colleagues at places.

“We want to reach out every responsible practitioner of every region of Uzbekistan to support them in developing partnerships to tackle trafficking in persons crimes more effectively on regional level”, said Dr. Reda Sirgediene, UNODC Regional Adviser on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants for Central Asia. “We are doing it gradually, organizing trainings in each region separately. Through case studies, group work, and best practice examples, we enhance the skills of regional practitioners on detection and investigation of trafficking in persons and related crimes, as well as on identification and referral of victims of trafficking”, Dr. Sirgedience noted.

UNODC has already conducted trainings in Jizzakh, Namangan, Andijan, Bukhara, Qashqadaryo, Xorasm, and Navoi oblasts of Uzbekistan, as well as in the Republic of Karakalpakistan and Tashkent city developing skills for over 300 responsible practitioners.

According to Mr. Said Saidazimov Pazliddinovich, Representative of the Sub-Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons, Officer of the Department for Countering Trafficking in Persons and Illegal Migration of the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Uzbekistan: “Interactive sessions for law enforcement and judicial officers, as well as civil society representatives creates a unique synergy at the regional level, which will substantially contribute to the improvement of human trafficking detection and investigation”.

As the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its complementary Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, UNODC supports the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan in strengthening its efforts to combat trafficking in persons.

The Train of Trainer seminars are a part of UNODC project and funded by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

***

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.)

Communication and PR Specialist 

UNODC Criminal Justice and PVE Programmes in Central Asia 

+996775987817 WhatsApp/Cellphone 

vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org