Karachi, Pakistan 24 February 2020 - UNODC, under the Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants ( GLO.ACT - Asia and the Middle East) conducted two-day training workshop on data collection, management, research and analytical skills for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Karachi from 11 to 12 February 2020. 27 participants (4 female, 23 male) from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the provincial police from Baluchistan and Sindh participated in the workshop to learn more about the importance of disaggregation of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) data and its collection. The workshop focused on relevant standardisation characteristics to ensure accuracy which enables relevant stakeholders to design evidence-based polices and programmes. As GLO.ACT is committed to promoting gender and minorities and it was very encouraging to see representation from women and minorities in the training.
Disaggregation of data is very important as it helps reveal patterns that can be masked by larger, aggregate data. Disaggregated data also helps to support the implementation of the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018 and the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Acts, 2018, in the following ways by:
Before the enactment of the two laws, policies and programmes in place to address these two crimes did not produce substantial results as the data collected in the first place was too broad and non-specific. Overall, the workshop also focused on:
The first day of the training workshop included sessions on data collection, analysis, and an introduction to TIP and SOM. The trainer explained these topics in detail and also answered the questions raised by the participants. The second day of the training was more activity oriented. The participants were divided into groups to indicate the sources of data for TIP and SOM, the gaps they found in data collection and their recommendations on how to improve the data collection and utilization process. Women and participants from the minorities took centre stage with their valuable feedback and suggestions during the training sessions.
When asked about the workshop, one of the participants said, "It is important to make all the stakeholders aware of the new laws that were passed in 2018 so that these may be implemented properly and be used for effective policy development in the future." Participants also pointed out that lack of coordination among law enforcement agencies, criminal justice practitioners and the social sector hinders progress. Lack of trust in law enforcement agencies was also flagged as a concern with participants explaining that victims of these crimes are often afraid of coming forward and reporting the crime, let alone having their statements recorded. Participants also took the workshop as an opportunity to emphasise the need for capacity building of through training.One participant explained, "Inter-agency coordination is extremely important to deal with cases of TIP and SOM. Only effective data sharing can lead to any substantial results in curbing this crime."
Pre/post workshop tests were also conducted to assess existing knowledge and the progress made by the participants.
The Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants - Asia and the Middle East ( GLO.ACT-Asia and the Middle East) is a four-year (2018-2022), €12 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The project provides direct assistance to victims of human trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and protection mechanisms. It is currently being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in five countries which include Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Afghanistan), Islamic Republic of Iran (I.R. of Iran), Republic of Iraq (Iraq), and Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Pakistan). The project builds on a global community of practice set in motion in GLO.ACT 2015-2019 and assists governmental authorities and civil society organizations in targeted, innovative and demand-driven interventions. These interventions are focused on sustaining effective strategy and policy development, legislative review and harmonization, capability development, and regional and trans-regional cooperation.
The project is funded by the European Union.
To watch an interview with one of the female participants of the workshop click here.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Shahida Gillani, National Project Officer
Email: Shahida.gillani@un.org
For more information, please visit:
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act2/index.html
Email: unodc-glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act