UNODC in Tajikistan pilots specialized training manual for judges on prosecution and adjudication of human trafficking cases

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 19 August 2020 – UNODC in partnership with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tajikistan organized a training for seventeen (17) acting judges of district and regional courts from all around the country with extensive expertise in cases related to trafficking in persons. The training served to pilot a new training manual on trafficking in persons related crimes, which provides theoretical background on all aspects of trafficking in persons whilst also making available practical exercises.

“The training aims to strengthen the integrity of the criminal justice system in holding offenders accountable for the full extent of their criminal behavior and ensuring that trafficking in persons cases are adjudicated in a manner that is sensitive to victims’ needs and without their intimidation” – noted Ms. Mutabara Vohidova, a.i. Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Tajikistan.

The manual is a collection of specialized materials based on international standards and best practices and adapted to the norms of the current legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan. It focuses on the criminal and legal characteristics of trafficking in persons and the verification and evaluation of related evidence.

During his welcoming speech, Mr. Zavqizoda Soleh Amin, the Director of the Supreme Court’s Training Center, said: “Tajikistan ratified a range of international human rights instruments officially assuming obligations to comply with them. Given the importance and relevance of the subject, we hope that this seminar will be very useful, and the participants will be able to benefit from the exchange of views, as well as use the experience gained in their daily practice».  

The training course on human trafficking for judges is expected to be further integrated in the curriculum of the Supreme Court’s Training Center so that judges and trainers/experts working at the center can make use of the manual as a permanent training tool with easy-to-use mini-lectures and practical tasks they can give their students – future judges.

This training effort is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the law enforcement response to trafficking in persons in Tajikistan with support from the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

 

Additional information

 

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communication and External Relations Officer

vasilina.brazhko[at]un.org

 

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