PRESS RELEASE
As part of the project funded by the European Union and implemented by UNODC: The General Directorate of National Security launches a national week-long awareness campaign at The Royal Police Institute to raise awareness against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants
Rabat, Morocco - 11/02/2020
As part of the regional project “Dismantling Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Criminal Networks in North Africa” the criminal networks operating in North Africa and involved in migrant smuggling and human trafficking in Morocco, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union (EU) in Morocco, are organizing a national week against human trafficking and migrant trafficking, in collaboration with the General Directorate of National Security, from 17 to 21 February 2020 at the Royal Police Institute in Kenitra.
The organization of this activity is part of the continuity in collaboration with the various national parties involved in the fight against these crimes and the contribution to building the capacity of the stakeholders involved in the issue. The main objectives of this activity will therefore be:
- Establishing a common knowledge and skills base among main partners involved in the of fight against human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants;
- Achieving a better understanding of main definitions and terminology related to the fight against human trafficking and migrant trafficking;
- Strengthening investigation techniques for identifying victims of human trafficking.
This activity will be divided into two main sessions, the first will take place over two days, and will target judicial police officials, general intelligence officials and commissioners, and the second will be spread over 3 days and it will initially target representatives of all specialized brigades, involved in the fight against these crimes, and officers. It should be noted all the regions in the country will participated at this awareness week.
Senior officials from the General Directorate of National Security, members of the National Coordinating Committee on Combating and Preventing Trafficking in Persons (NCCTIP), diplomatic representatives of the Regional Office and the Office Morocco of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, will take part in the opening session of this activity, on Monday, February 17, 2020 from 9 AM.
During three-years, this initiative is a continuation of the European Union's programmes to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling and aims to support Morocco in:
1) enhancing detection and interception capacities of front line officers and agencies at selected border crossing points and key hub cities along smuggling routes;
2) strengthening identification and investigation capacities of first responders (including law enforcement officers, healthcare professionals and social workers, Libyan Department to Counter Illegal Migration, labor inspectors and other relevant practitioners) with regards to migrant smuggling and human trafficking cases while protecting victims;
3) enhancing skills and knowledge of relevant law enforcement agencies on special investigation techniques, allowing relevant authorities to more effectively and rapidly dismantle criminal networks;
4) strengthening practical expertise and skills of criminal justice practitioners in prosecuting and adjudicating migrant smuggling and human trafficking cases, notably through regional and international cooperation.
'Dismantling the criminal networks operating in North Africa and involved in migrant smuggling and human Trafficking' is a three-year (2019-2022) €15 million regional joint initiative by the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the framework of the North Africa Window of the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa.
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