UNODC reaffirms commitment to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling nationally and beyond, through its broad based programme

Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi

5 November 2015, Karachi - A two-day Regional Conference on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (HTMS) culminated in Karachi today. The event was jointly hosted by UNODC Country Office Pakistan and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Government of Pakistan. Supported by the Government of Australia, this high level conference was the first of its kind in the region where all relevant source, transit and destination countries participated. It discussed the challenges emerging out of the HTMS situation in the region and beyond, with the aim of enhancing regional cooperation related to irregular migration attempts. Senior Government Officials and representatives from fifty (50) countries along with ten (10) Ambassadors and High Commissioners from Islamabad attended the conference. The participating countries included Pakistan, Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Maldives, Australia, Korea, Central Asian Republics, Gulf States, Tunisia, Mauritius, South Africa, Nigeria, European Union countries including the United Kingdom, Canada and Brazil. The international organizations included the UNODC, International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Labour Organization (ILO), Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre (CARICC), Gulf Cooperation Council Criminal Information Center (GCCC-ICCD) and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). 

Mr. Akbar Khan Hoti the Director General of FIA co-chaired the opening ceremony along with Mr. Cesar Guedes - Representative UNODC; Her Excellency (H.E) Margaret Adamson - High Commissioner of Australia; H.E. Heather Cruden - High Commissioner of Canada; and H.E. Brigitta Blaha - Ambassador of Austria, who also delivered their key note speeches. Giving his welcome address Mr. Guedes reflected UNODC's efforts in helping the world to effectively combat HTMS in the region and beyond. He hailed the national strategy of the FIA Government of Pakistan, to effectively address HTMS in Pakistan. "There are 2.4 million victims of human trafficking around the world at any given time, out of which 70 percent are women and young girls. HTMS remains one of the most lucrative businesses generating over $32 billion in profits annually", said Mr. Guedes.

During his opening remarks Mr. Hoti highlighted that the transnational criminal syndicates were using unfrequented routes for their nefarious plans to smuggle people, weapons and other contraband across borders. "We have improved the domestic laws, as well deployed technological means such as the Integrated Border Management System (IBMS) which has the capacity to risk manage and detect illegal movements" said Mr. Hoti. The FIA heads an inter agency task force on HTMS in Pakistan. He added that "the FIA is manning some 36 entry/exit points in the country and has established an effective regime against this menace in close collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and with close support by the UNODC Pakistan. We have arrested 23 most wanted migrant smugglers and 1,310 human traffickers during 2015, which reflects our national resolve to combat this menace".

H.E. Dr. Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, the Governor of Sindh Province was the Chief Guest on the concluding day. He acknowledged the professionalism of UNODC and FIA in their strategic approach to effectively combat HTMS. Addressing the forum during his closing address, he said "human trafficking has assumed international dimension, which demands a coordinated strategy to find a lasting solution to the problem. Human trafficking is giving rise to various economic and social problems around the world. Every year thousands of people are deceived on hollow promises for a brighter future. Pakistan is taking serious efforts to tackle this problem. Various Anti Human Trafficking cells have been fully operationalized by the FIA through the country". The Governor also praised the role of judiciary against such a menace and said that impartation of training to judges and prosecutors by UNODC has also proved helpful in this regard. In the end, Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad lauded UNODC and the FIA for organizing this important regional conference to appropriately address the issue through an improved collaboration between the affected countries. 

Through this high-profile event, UNODC has vowed to present international best practices for improving border control mechanisms and regional cooperation for investigation, prosecution and protection of victims. It is currently supporting the Government of Pakistan through its broad-based Pakistan Country Programme (2010-2015), which envisages to go beyond the initially set objectives, by introducing the next Country Programme (2016-2019), aimed at fostering greater national and international interagency cooperation. 

 

 

 

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3rd November 2015


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