UNODC promotes effective handling of human trafficking cases in Kyrgyzstan

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the Prosecutor’s General Office and the Ministry of Interior conducted a trainings for 27 investigators and members of prosecution office from Jalal-Abad and Batken oblasts in the south of Kyrgyzstan on investigation and prosecution of cases related to trafficking in persons, including issues of mutual legal assistance.

During a two-day training, its participants got a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the best methods of conducting investigations, to study in more detail the country's criminal and criminal procedure legislation,  as well as mechanisms of effective international cooperation. Participants received both theoretical and practical skills on investigation of human trafficking cases. Court processes were elaborated using the existing cases where prosecutors and staff members of the prosecution office enhanced understanding of importance of intersectoral cooperation and effective cooperation.

“The importance of this training is that the employees of the investigative units in the investigation of criminal cases related to trafficking in persons correctly qualify and fully and efficiently carry out investigative measures to bring cases to the judicial authorities”, said Mr. Marlis Jymabayev, Head of the First Department of the Criminal Police Service of the Ministry of Interior of the Kyrgyz Republic. “We consider it expedient to intensify practical joint trainings of police officers with the prosecution authorities to successfully bring criminal cases to their logical conclusion”.

An important component of UNODC's anti-trafficking work is building the capacity of criminal justice professionals to deal effectively and efficiently with trafficking in persons cases.

“This training is an important part of UNODC assistance to Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to strengthen criminal justice responses to trafficking in persons and to effectively investigate and supervise such cases using a victim-centered approach in line with international human rights standards”, highlighted Ms. Jypara Rakisheva, National Manager of the Fight against Trafficking in Persons in Kyrgyzstan.

As part of supporting the government agencies in the implementation of measures to combat trafficking in persons, UNODC, in partnership with the General Prosecutor's Office of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, developed training manuals and a collection of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the investigation and detection of crimes related to trafficking in persons in accordance with international norms and standards, to improve the qualifications of prosecutors and investigators. Participants had an opportunity to familiarize with these publications and use cases, methods in their daily practice.

As custodian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), UNODC is assisting the Government of Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to implement the Protocol to Prevent and Suppress Trafficking in Persons (Trafficking in Persons Protocol) and the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Kyrgyzstan ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Trafficking in Persons Protocol in 2003.

The event is part of countering trafficking in persons project implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Program Office in the Kyrgyz Republic with financial support from the US Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics Trafficking and Law Enforcement (INL).

 Article in Russian language 

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