UNODC strengthens data collection and reporting on Trafficking in Persons crimes in Tajikistan

The government of the Republic of Tajikistan is committed to address the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) issues at different levels. Anti-trafficking strategies and policies were developed and much was achieved in terms of preventing and combating this crime and assisting trafficked persons while protecting their human rights. However, due to the lack of accurate, comparable and timely figures, the trafficking in persons issues remain a huge challenge. Unavailability of data not only hinders the production of reliable statistics but makes it impossible to recognize trends.

To strengthen the counter-trafficking responses and work more effectively towards preventing and combating trafficking in persons, UNODC Programme Office in the Republic of Tajikistan in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan held a three-day Data Collection and Reporting on Trafficking in Persons workshop for justice system specialists along with Statistics Agency under the President of Tajikistan, General Prosecutor’s Office, Migration Service, Ombudsperson’s office, and the Ministry of Interior.

The workshop aimed at enhancing the understanding of data collection on trafficking in persons, the analysis processes and mechanisms.

Mr. Koen Marquering, International Coordinator of UNODC Justice Programme in Central Asia expressed gratitude to the workshop participants for their significant efforts in countering the trafficking in persons and expressed the need in establishing more harmonized approach to collecting data on this crime. “I hope this workshop will help the participants to enhance their knowledge and skills of data gathering, data classifications, data analysis, and the roles of various agencies, but will also lead towards a more coordinated and comprehensive response to trafficking in persons”.

Participants exchanged the experiences on methodologies used in different institutions to collect and analyze TIP-related data, indicators for victims and offenders, flow data, availability of relevant and timely information. In order to develop the data analysis and data visualization skills the workshop participants completed some practical exercises elaborating the data by region, type of crime and sex.

Mr. Jesper Samson, Researcher, UNODC HQ, presented to participants a Global report on trafficking in Persons questionnaire and assessment of 2018 data registration in Tajikistan. According to the assessment, Law enforcement institutions register and share vibrant information with statistical agency. Thus in 2018 the number of convicted of trafficking in persons was 31 persons (27 females and 4 males), 40 victims of trafficking in persons were detected (6 boys, 5 girls, 15 men and 14 women). According to Mr. Jesper Samson, the data which Tajikistan provides is enough to elaborate solid analysis. The outcomes of the assessment were discussed during the workshop.

Expert from Kyrgyzstan, Ms. Larisa Ilibezova presented the challenges and achievements of Kyrgyz Republic while introducing the TIP data collection mechanisms into the law enforcement institutions.

This initiative is a part of a UNODC project on strengthening Law Enforcement Responses to Trafficking in Persons in Tajikistan, funded by the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

 

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