Islamabad, Pakistan 1 November 2018 - Under the framework of the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants ( GLO.ACT), UNODC organized from 22-25 October 2018 four days of training for 27 Additional District Judges at the Federal Judicial Academy in Islamabad. The purpose was to introduce the newly enacted laws on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) to the judiciary and to also brief them the application and interpretation of the laws. The training mainly taught the attendants how to clearly differentiate between the two crimes as well as important international best practices and tools that can be utilized. Topics covered were:
The training session also included a focus on the prevention as well as the examination of all possible measure that may be taken by the State to protect TIP victims. The training session reiterated that successful prosecution of TIP/SOM cases as well as the punishment of traffickers/smugglers can be an effective in preventing and deterring these crimes for occurring.
While talking to the participants, Ms. Huma Chughtai, Director Federal Judicial Academy said," There is indeed a need of a training courses like these that should focus exclusively on human trafficking and migrant smuggling for district and session judges. This will not only help the judiciary but will also address the victim protection part."
In his closing remarks, Mr. Erwin Versteeg, Counter Narcotics and Border Management Expert, said, "The judiciary is one of the most important segments of the criminal justice system. It is them, who ensure that justice prevails. Through the enactment of new legislation, the international community expects that more attention will be given towards the protection and assistance of victims of trafficking."
The Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT) is a four-year (2015-2019), €11 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The project is being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). GLO.ACT aims to provide assistance to governmental authorities and civil society organizations across 13 strategically selected countries: Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, South Africa, Ukraine. GLO.ACT works with the 13 countries to plan and implement strategic national counter-trafficking and counter smuggling efforts through a prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships approach. It supports the development of more effective responses to trafficking and smuggling, including providing assistance to victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and direct support mechanisms.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Shahida Gillani, National Project Officer
Email: Shahida.gillani@un.org
For more information, please visit:
www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act/
Email: glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act
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