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UNODC Presents First Training for Law Enforcement Officials in Eritrea on Countering Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants

Asmara - June 2018 : UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA), together with the Government of Eritrea, recently presented the first training for 30 law enforcement officials in Eritrea on countering Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. The 5-day training workshop was organized within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for Eastern Africa (2016-2021) and its sub-programme on Countering Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking, including activities on "Strengthening the Human and Institutional Capacity of the Government of Eritrea to Fight against Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants" funded by the United Kingdom, and the Better Migration Management (BMM) Programme funded by the European Union and GIZ (read more about the BMM programme at https://ec.europa.eu/trustfundforafrica/node/1057 and https://www.giz.de/en/worldwide/40602.html).

The objective of the workshop, which was presented from 4-8 June 2018 in Asmara, was to enhance the knowledge of law enforcement officials to identify, investigate and counter Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, whilst simultaneously ensuring a victim-centred approach and due consideration for the rights of migrants. The training - the first in a series of capacity building activities to be implemented together with the Eritrean Police - utilised the UNODC Anti-Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners (http://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/TIP_Training_English/UNODC_TIP_Training_manual_English.zip) and the UNODC Basic Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting the Smuggling of Migrants (http://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/Migrant-Smuggling/Basic_Training_Manual/Basic_Training_Manual_e-book_English_web_version.zip) and focused on a number of introductory topics, including the international legal framework and definition of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants; indicators of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and the differences between the crimes; control methods; law enforcement response to Trafficking and Smuggling; interviewing victims of Trafficking; needs of victims in criminal justice proceedings; protection and assisting victims of Trafficking as witnesses; and international cooperation in criminal matter. The curriculum also included hands-on exercises and case studies on criminal investigations and knowledge sharing, illustrating the complexity of investigations and prosecutions, while ensuring a victim-centred approach, including assistance and support to potential victims and vulnerable migrants.

The workshop, presented at the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers in Asmara, was opened by Colonel Mahary Tsegai, Head of Eritrean Police, Mr. Ibrahim Omar, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Amado Philip de Andres, UNODC Regional Representative, and Johan Kruger, Head of Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Terrorism Programmes at UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa. During the opening remarks, Colonel Mahary thanked the UNODC for hosting the first training workshop and for supporting the Government of Eritrea in strengthening its capacity to counter Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. He also noted that it was a special opportunity for the participants for they were the first group to benefit from the training which would greatly assist them in their day-to-day duties. In turn, Dr. De Andrés thanked the Government of Eritrea and the Eritrean Police for inviting UNODC to assist the Government in strengthening its criminal justice system. He reiterated that Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants continued to pose serious threats to the people and governments of Eastern Africa and beyond and, as such, effective and coordinated criminal justice responses to these complex crimes were crucial. Mr. Johan Kruger thanked the Government of Eritrea and emphasized that there was no region that has been affected by Trafficking in Persons or Smuggling of Migrants. Hence, he asserted, effective regional and international cooperation, supported by knowledge and capacity within law enforcement agencies, had to be a key priority in countering transnational organized crime. Finally, Mr. Ibrahim welcomed UNODC and expressed commitment by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work closely with UNODC in countering all forms of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.

In closing, His Excellency, Ian Richards, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Eritrea, and Nelson Jorge, Head of Cooperation for the Delegation of the European Union in Asmara, joined Colonel Tsegai, Head of the Eritrean Police, during the closing ceremony. They expressed their gratitude towards the Eritrean Police, participants and UNODC for completing the first training of this kind in Eritrea. Miss. Asmert Tesfai, UNODC Project Coordinator for Eritrea, thanked the Government of Eritrea and the Eritrean Police on behalf of UNODC for working with UNODC. She also expressed UNODC's gratitude towards the British Government, as well as the European Union and GIZ through the BMM Programme, for their financial support and commitment to working with UNODC.

UNODC will be implementing a variety of capacity building activities in Eritrea, funded by the British Government and the European Union and GIZ through the BMM programme, aimed at strengthening a human rights-based criminal justice response to countering transnational organized crime, including Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.