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UNODC provides specialized assistance in trafficking in persons prevention in El Salvador

May 12, 2017. Antiguo Cuscatlán, El Salvador. UNODC in coordination with the Organization of Salvadoran Political United Women (MUPUNSAL), implemented the Workshop on Sensitization on Issues of Trafficking in Persons. The purpose of this workshop is to sensitize women who work on public affairs on the current state and challenges that El Salvador faces on the issue of trafficking in persons.  

The workshop was opened by Ms. Nayelly Loya, Deputy-Manager of UNODC Programme Office for El Salvador; Ms. Lourdes Gutiérrez, UNODC Regional Project Coordinator on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants; Ms. Elizabeth de Laso, MUPUNSAL Coordinator; Ms. Kenia Melgar, General Director of the Executive Technical Unit of the Justice Sector; and, Ms. Ericka Rusconi, Representative of El Salvador National Council of Trafficking in Persons.

During this workshop, Ms. Lourdes Gutierrez delivered a presentation on the International Legal Framework applicable to trafficking in persons, emphasizing on the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention on against Transnational Organized Crime, as well as the differences between trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

Additionally, Ms. Violeta Olivares, Chief of the Specialized Prosecution Unit against Illegal Trafficking and Trafficking in Persons of El Salvador Attorney's General Office, delivered a presentation about the evolution of the national legislation to sanction trafficking in persons and provided an explanation on the different modalities of human exploitation incorporated in El Salvador Special Law against Trafficking in Persons.

Furthermore, during the workshop, Mr. Raúl Fuentes, investigator of the Specialized Unit against Trafficking in Persons and Related Crimes of the National Civil Police, delivered a presentation on the best practices applicable when conducting an investigation on human trafficking, emphasizing on the importance of a good working relation between the Attorney's General Office and the National Civil Police.   

During this workshop, different interventions of the participants emphasized the importance of trust and communication within the family, as well as the importance of education in values and the commitment that State institution must have in the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

At the end of the workshop, Ms. Gutierrez presented the Blue Heart Pact against Trafficking in Persons. After this presentation, all the attendants decided to sign the eleven precepts of the Blue Heart Pact that act as guiding principles for those joining the campaign and represents a commitment to social responsibility against trafficking in persons.

The workshop was delivered thanks to the financial resources provided by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the Embassy of the United States in El Salvador through the project "Preventing and Fighting against Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons in El Salvador", which is being implemented by UNODC.