UNODC in partnership with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Home Affairs convened a three-day Colloquium on Trafficking in Persons for twenty-five Magistrates in Chisamba, Zambia, whose main objective was to assist Zambia strengthen its criminal justice response to human trafficking.
The Colloquium was formally opened by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary in Zambia, Hon. Charles Kafunda and UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, Ms. Tiphanie Crittin. The main areas covered in the opening remarks included; recognition from UNODC that trafficking in persons was a global problem. The need to intensify training of law enforcement officers and adjudicators in trafficking in persons was emphasized by the Chief Registrar, who further acknowledged that in 2019, with UNODC support, fifty (50) criminal justice practitioners, including 6 Magistrates were trained on against trafficking in persons.
Despite having pioneered work on Human Trafficking in the region, the country's response over the years had drastically reduced, calling for coordinated efforts from all stakeholders. UNODC experts, Ms. Rahel Gershuni from Israel and Hon. Justice Fiona Mwale from Malawi, provided normative guidance to the Colloquium based on their extensive experience.
This activity is part of a joint project of UNODC with the Government of Zambia funded by the United Kingdom, named " Strengthening the implementation of a comprehensive response to trafficking in persons in Zambia". The project has four specific objectives: 1) to support Zambia to develop and/or strengthen and implementing national strategies, plans or policies against trafficking in persons; 2) to assist Zambia to its bring national legal frameworks in line with international standards; 3) to assist Zambia to strengthen its criminal justice response to trafficking in persons, including regional cooperation in criminal matters related to trafficking in persons following a victim centred-approach; and 4) to assist Zambia to strengthen victim protection and assistance.
This project contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and in particular, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 on the strengthening of peace, justice and strong institutions.