Islamabad, Pakistan 28 September 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), organized from 14 to 15 September a two-day coaching session on investigative techniques related to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM). This was the second round of coaching organized for 23 female officers of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Punjab Police who deal with cases of TIP and SOM in their respective organizations. Before this event, in March 2021, the same cohort participated a coaching session and a week-long specialist training in November 2020
The workshop further enhanced and solidified participants' understanding of the new laws and familiarized them with the international legal frameworks and relevant case laws. The session also served as a knowledge-sharing platform where investigation and prosecution experts guided the participants on handling human trafficking and migrant smuggling cases and how to prepare them for trials.
During her welcoming remarks, Shahida Gilani, National Programme Officer, UNODC Pakistan, said, "Your presence here shows your commitment and dedication to your work, and sending your nomination for the session demonstrates your organization's commitment to the notion of human resource development. I am glad to see that all those participants who attended the first session are here. I admire and commend the vision of your seniors of having a cadre of expert women law enforcement officers – well versed in dealing with TIP and SOM cases. We hope that this coaching session will allow you to establish and take action towards achieving your goals, just like the previous session. The session should further allow you to become more self-reliant, enable you to contribute more effectively to the team and the organization, and empower you to take greater responsibility and accountability for actions and commitments. Ultimately, helping you to contribute positively in your careers as well as in our efforts against both crimes."
Martin Reeve, GLO.ACT Regional Advisor, UNODC also delivered opening remarks. While addressing the participants, he said, "Training courses are important for learning and capacity development; however, sometimes participants leave the training without all the knowledge they need. Often, trainees of the workshop require further clarity after applying the skills, or they need further interactions to clear the confusion or remove question marks. This session takes into account this specific need. Since there is no agenda for the session, it is up to you to share your experience and highlight the challenges you face so that those can be discussed thoroughly. I am hopeful that the next two days will be full of participation."
The two-day session was lead by Martin Reeve and facilitated by law enforcement and prosecution experts. The coaching session went beyond the classroom setting, was semi-structured and responsive to challenges, needs, and questions set by the participants themselves. Over the two days, participants could share their experiences on TIP and SOM case management and the challenges they face. Through open and candid discussions, they were able to identify the most appropriate and workable solutions to the challenges. Through group work and presentations, the participants discussed different case studies that addressed the real-time issues they faced while handling cases.
Sardar Zaheer Ahmed, Director Anti-Human Smuggling FIA, delivered the closing remarks. While addressing participants, he said, "I am certain that you all have gained a better understanding of the situation we are facing through this session. I am very confident that you have learned a lot from the experts. I urge you all to remember that we all have our part to play, and we are all required to contribute to efforts against combatting TIP and SOM. I want to pay my deep respect to all the participants for your positive participation. I hope that what you have learned through the platform will help you in your duties and lead to efficiency in your departments. In the end, I would like to thank UNODC for organizing this event."
The third and last coaching session will be held in Q4, 2021.
"The session was very good; hats off to UNODC for arranging the session. The resource persons explained the laws in great detail. The case studies and FIRs helped me to understand that as an Investigation Officer, what sort of details I should look for when dealing with cases of TIP and SOM" - Participant
"This workshop was very relevant to my profession and area of work. The session helped me understand the rules of business which previously I was struggling to understand. As IO, this session has enhanced my capacity. I was also able to clear up some confusion. The coaching of trainers was spot on, and this will help me a lot when I deal with victims of internal trafficking. "– Participant
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). GLO.ACT-Bangladesh is a parallel initiative also financed by the EU and implemented with IOM.
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 fully committed to mainstreaming Human Rights and Gender Equality considerations across all of its activities.
This project is funded by the European Union
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Shahida Gillani, National Project Office
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
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