UNODC drafted laws on trafficking in person and smuggling of migrants

 

 

28 August, Islamabad - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Pakistan has organized two seminars this week for over 34 participants from several law enforcement agencies and ministries to introduce drafted laws on trafficking in person and smuggling of migrants. 

UNODC Representative in Pakistan Mr. Cesar Guedes welcomed the participants and provided a global context of the problem while he lauded the Government of Pakistan's effort in tackling the menace of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, which is a form of modern day slavery. Director Immigration from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Dr. Usman Anwar said traffickers and smugglers provide false hope to their victims who in return become vulnerable and risk their life in hope of finding a better future. 

Currently, UNODC office in Pakistan is working alongside Interior and Law ministry by identifying gaps in the domestic legislation and promoting the UNODC drafted laws as part of a holistic package of assistance. 

These proposed laws were drafted after an initial feedback from all relevant national stakeholders to assist the Government of Pakistan in implementing the provisions contained in the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its two protocols;

1. Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

2. Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.  

This initiative is part of UNODC's commitment in Pakistan to improving domestic legislation to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Professor Andreas Schloenhardt from the TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland (UQ) briefed the participants on the provisions contained in the drafted laws.