Lahore, Pakistan - 02 March 2021 - UNODC, under the EU funded GLO.ACT - Global Action to Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT – Asia and the Middle East), conducted a two-day training workshop on “Victim identification, protection and referral related to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM)”. This was the third and final workshop on the subject, organized with the objective of training relevant stakeholders. The previous two sessions took place in Islamabad on 25 to 26 January 2021 and in Karachi on 9 to 10 February 2021.
The participants of this training included officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Punjab and Balochistan Police, Social welfare departments, Labour departments, and Civil Society Organizations from Punjab and Balochistan. The workshop was attended by 21 participants (8 female, 12 male). The first day of workshop aimed at establishing a foundational understanding of TIP and SOM; familiarize with national policies and laws related to both crimes, as well as with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to victim identification, protection, referral and assistance.
While welcoming the participants, Shahida Gilani, UNODC National Programme Officer emphasised that “GLO.ACT Asia and the Middle East is building more effective national and international prevention of and responses to TIP and SOM with full respect for human rights”. She then added that “The role of victim protection and assistance is further elaborated in the recently approved rules (bylaws)”.
Sajid Akram, Additional FIA Director of theNorth zone remarked that “Migrants who move out of necessity rather than of their free choice are exposed to greater risks of human rights violations. Therefore, it is necessary to understand migrants’ vulnerabilities because it helps in the development of identification indicators and adequate response measures for frontline workers.”
Muhammad Rizwan, FIA Director of the Punjab zone , emphasized that “As frontline workers, we need to keep in mind that human trafficking is first of all a violation of fundamental rights and it should not be limited to public order or organized crime. The identification of potential victims of trafficking should always be followed by physical and legal protection and assistance. Familiarity with the process of identification and protection ensures that we extend the support to the right person and at the right time.”
Sardar Zaheer Ahmed, FIA Director of the HQ Anti-human Smuggling wing explained that “Pakistan’s largest human trafficking problem is bonded labor, in which traffickers exploit an initial debt assumed by a worker as part of the terms of employment and ultimately entraps other family members, sometimes for generations”. He further added that “Joint efforts of UNODC and FIA have resulted in some recent accomplishments that include the development of National Action Plan to combat human trafficking and migrants smuggling (2021-2025) and approval of rules (bylaws) of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants acts of 2018 which are focused on victim protection and assistance”.
This two-day workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about the victim-centered approaches in TIP, recognize the role that different organizations play and the importance of coordinating with each other. It also provided a platform to examine real-case scenarios that went through FIA’s SOPs on victim assistance and protection, modalities of identification, screening and referral and existing practices and National Action Plan, TIP and SOM data and its importance. The participants welcomed the initiative and actively participated in the discussions, remaining engaged during the group exercises, sharing experiences and explaining how they dealt with relevant cases.
“The workshop deepened my understanding and enhanced my knowledge about TIP & SOM as well as the Prevention of Trafficking in Person and Smuggling of Migrants Acts 2018. The topics of gender perspective in crime – especially when committed against Child, was relevant to my work and has helped me to have the right direction or approach for dealing/managing child abuse, trafficking case” – Participant
“This workshop has allowed me to see TIP & SOM through lens of the victim centred approach in TIP. Officials who are responsible for identifying victims of trafficking should be made aware of related crime types and be equipped to respond accordingly. I am happy that I was part of this learning opportunity and I will share this knowledge with my colleagues. “– Participant
“This two-day training workshop broadened my knowledge on SOM, TIP, victim identification and protection. AS a civil society member it is quite encouraging for me that the new legislations i.e. on TIP and SOM specifically defines role of civil society”
The Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants – Asia and the Middle East (GLO.ACT-Asia and the Middle East) is a four-year (2018-2022), €12 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in up to five countries: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Afghanistan), Islamic Republic of Iran (I.R. of Iran), Republic of Iraq (Iraq), Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Pakistan).
The project builds on a global community of practice set in motion in GLO.ACT 2015-2019 and assists governmental authorities and civil society organizations in targeted, innovative, and demand-driven interventions: sustaining effective strategy and policy development, legislative review and harmonization, capability development, and regional and trans-regional cooperation. The project also provides direct assistance to victims of human trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and protection mechanisms.
The project is funded by the European Union.
For more information, please contact:
Shahida Gillani, National Project Officer
Email: Shahida.gillani@un.org
For more information, please visit:
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act2/index.html
Email: glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act