The basic training had provided participating law enforcement officers and the prosecutors with the knowledge of the basic concepts of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants as well as on how to identify, investigate and prosecute such cases while ensuring assistance and protection to the victims.

During the advanced training, the participants worked extensively on real life-inspired scenarios identifying and differentiating between actors responsible for trafficking and smuggling networks, trafficked victims and smuggled migrants. Participants were also trained on using advanced investigation techniques and forensic tools relevant to the Libyan context.

Throughout the discussions, some participants shared the harsh working conditions they face when investigating these crimes, and the challenges they come across when assisting victims. A law enforcement officer from the participants described the situation on the ground and explained that in most cases " Migrants [are] not able to tell us about the route they have taken to reach Libya. Smugglers transport them in trucks that have no windows. They move at night, when it is completely dark."

The workshop is part of UNODCs efforts to assist the Libyan authorities in enhancing their criminal justice response to human trafficking and smuggling of migrants thus contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal 16 on strong, effective and accountable institutions. 

Libya ratified the International Convention on Transnational Organized Crime in June 2004. Libya also acceded to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in persons and the Protocol to Prevent the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air in September 2004.

At the national level, the country has adopted Law no. 19 on combatting irregular migration in 2010. In 2013, a draft law to combat trafficking in persons was prepared.  More recently, the decree no. 386 of 2014 established a Department to combat irregular migration mandated to implement the national legal framework on migrants' smuggling and trafficking in persons and deal with the situation of migrants in the country.

This training activity was possible thanks to the support of the Government of Italy.