UNODC gathered a group of experts in the field of smuggling of migrants in the city of La Antigua, Guatemala from 17-19 October. Prosecutors and police officials from the Central American states, Mexico and Spain attended a three day workshop with the aim of adapting the UNODC Basic Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting Migrant Smuggling to the context of the region.
As a response to the need of strengthening the capacities of Central American and Mexican authorities to tackle the growing phenomenon of smuggling of migrants, the Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, together with the UNODC Global Programmes will be completing the adaptation of the training manual in order to initiate a capacity building process for the better investigation and prosecution of the crime.
The expert group meeting produced fruitful inputs for the training manual, promoted the exchange of experiences and encouraged the commitment of the authorities to disseminating the final adapted version of the manual which is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
The closing ceremony was honored with the presence of the Canadian Ambassador to Guatemala as the activity was organized with funds provided by the Government of Canada to UNODC.
Basic Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting Migrant Smuggling
UNODC Tools and Publications on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling