UNODC and Partners Enhanced Capacity of Justice Practitioners on Investigation, Prosecution and Adjudication of Trafficking in Persons Related Cases in Kyrgyzstan 

UNODC, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, the General Prosecutor's Office, the Supreme Court, the Bar Association and their training centers in the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as in partnership with Winrock International USAID, conducted a two-day interagency training on investigation, supervision and judicial review of trafficking in persons related-cases for the criminal justice practitioners across the country.

“Criminal justice practitioners are the main actors who not only ensure effective prosecution of perpetrators but also play a key role in the detection, identification, referral and protection of victims. It is therefore important for such practitioners to stay equipped with up-to-date knowledge about criminal justice novelties, legislation, procedures and best practices”, outlined Ms. Tara Neal, Senior Democratic Development Specialist, USAID.

Some 66 police investigators, prosecutors, judges, lawyers enhanced their capacity on the legislation on trafficking in persons in the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Referral Mechanism of victims of human trafficking, analyzed in detail the novels of criminal and criminal procedure codes, studied cases, analyzed the elements of the crime, as well as reviewed the practice of  lawyers and specifics of the adjudication of trafficking in persons cases.

“Trafficking in persons must be brought out of its latency. Victims of trafficking in persons should have access to justice, the cases must reach a trial. It is necessary to raise public awareness about this phenomenon”, stressed Mrs. Galia Alymbekova, Deputy Director of the High School of Justice under the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Mrs. Gulnara Turdumambetova, Director of Bar Association’s Training Center of the Kyrgyz Republic emphasized that the lawyer represents the interests of the victim, prepares materials for the law enforcement agencies. The persistent and hard work of a lawyer helps to unleash the entire criminal chain and bring the case to court, where the perpetrators fairly punished.

Anara Omuralieva, Judge of the Bishkek City Court, Tilek Kudayarov, senior prosecutor of the International Legal Cooperation Department of the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Kyrgyz Republic, Marlis Dzhumabaev, Head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ministry of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic and Nurlan Bakirov, legal expert were the trainers of the event.

According to Mrs. Jypara Rakishev, National Programme manager at UNODC in the Kyrgyz Republic: “UNODC as a guardian of the UN convention against transnational organized crime, supports Kyrgyz government in combatting trafficking in persons efforts. One of the important activities is to strengthen the criminal justice practitioners’ capacity through providing trainings on the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of the TIP related crimes”.

Participants had an excellent experience and were equipped with knowledge in handling and referral of human trafficking cases, in particular, increased their awareness on victim-sensitive approach and gender sensitivity in conducting investigations and handling of human trafficking victims. They also considered issues of interagency cooperation and developed a joint action plan on TiP-related cases.

The training was a part of the UNODC project “Support to victim-centered investigations and prosecutions of human trafficking in the Kyrgyz Republic” funded by the Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (JTIP). 

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For all inquiries, kindly contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communication and PR Specialist at

UNODC Criminal Justice and PVE Programmes in Central Asia

UNODC PO in the Kyrgyz Republic

+996775987817 WhatsApp

vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org