Kyrgyz Republic - 7 June 2017 - The Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants ( GLO.ACT) was launched on 31 May, 2017 in Bishkek. GLO.ACT is a four-year (2015-2019), €11 million joint initiative by the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The project is being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration ( IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund ( UNICEF) and reaches thirteen countries across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. GLO.ACT works with the 13 countries, including the Kyrgyz Republic, to plan and implement strategic national counter-trafficking and counter smuggling efforts through a prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships approach.
During the launch, Mr. Almaz Asanbaev, Deputy Chairperson of the State Migration Service said:"Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants are priority issues for the government as evidenced by the new 2017-2020 National Action Plan against Trafficking in Persons and the Migration Policy Framework 2030. We believe that GLO.ACT will contribute to the effective implementation of national programmes against human trafficking and migrant smuggling."
Ambassador Cesare De Montis, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic, stated in his speech that: "Addressing all forms of trafficking in human beings and to fight against smuggling of migrants is a priority for the EU and its Member States. Both trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants are part of the European Migration Agenda, of the European Agenda on Security and the Framework for Partnership with third countries, adopted in June 2016. I hope that GLO.ACT being launched here today will achieve good results and substantially increase the capacities of the 13 beneficiary countries, including the Kyrgyz Republic, to address the challenges."
According to Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, improving the criminal justice response to human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants requires a comprehensive approach. "This response needs to be grounded in sound legislation in line with the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols on Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants". Ms. Mittal confirmed UNODC readiness to support the government in strengthening criminal justice responses to trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants within the framework of GLO.ACT.
GLO.ACT Project Coordinator, Ms. Margaret Akullo explained during the launch that apart from providing assistance to governmental authorities, the initative will also benefit civil society organizations as well as victims of trafficking and smuggled migrants directly. She went on to say that: "Together with our implementing partners, we therefore apply six key responses to the project. These responses relate to strategy and policy development; legislative assistance; capacity building; regional and trans-regional cooperation; protection and assistance to victims of trafficking and smuggled migrants; and assistance and support to children among victims of trafficking and smuggled migrants."
The launch event was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Chairperson of the State Migration Service, representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labor and Social Development, the Office of the General Prosecutor, civil society organizations and media.
For further information or media enquiries, please contact:
Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.)
Communication Officer, UNODC ROCA
Email: vasilina.brazhko@unodc.org
www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act/
Email: glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act