UNODC continues to enhance the capacities of Territorial Commissions for Combating Trafficking in Persons and Forced Labor of Uzbekistan

On 13-14 April, UNODC jointly with the Sub-Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Winrock International conducted a Train of Trainer Seminar "Enhancing the Capacities of Local Actors in Countering Trafficking in Persons” (the ToT Seminar) in Samarkand city of Uzbekistan. The event was aimed at capacity building of the members of the Territorial Commission on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Forced Labor and regional practitioners including judges, prosecutors, internal affairs officers, regional representatives of Governmental agencies, NGOs representatives, and etc. Mr. James Callahan, Senior Programme Advisor at the US State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) was among high-level guests of the seminar. 

Mr. N. Rakhimov, Executive Secretary of the Sub-Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons, Head of the Department for Countering Trafficking in Persons and Illegal Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan noted that the work conducted on countering trafficking in persons in Uzbekistan had already showed its results due to the recommendations and partnership activities with UNODC and Winrock International.

Dr. Reda Sirgediene, UNODC Regional Adviser on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants for Central Asia, UNODC ROCA who led the training for law enforcement and the judiciary, said: “The most remarkable fact of the event is that representatives of different law enforcement bodies, ministries and social organizations, NGOs met at one table to discuss the challenges of combating trafficking in persons including investigation of trafficking in persons crimes and handling of trafficking victims”.

The participants discussed the differences of trafficking in persons and related crimes, evidence collection in domestic and international cases, identification and referral of trafficking victims through analysis of national and international legal documents and real Uzbek and foreign cases and practical exercises. The received knowledge will be cascaded to associates and colleagues.

 

The ToT seminars are aimed at developing the same level of knowledge of responsible practitioners in all regions of Uzbekistan and are implemented under the financial support of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).