Islamabad, Pakistan 4 February 2021: Under the framework of the Global Action to Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT – Asia and the Middle East), UNODC conducted on 25 to 26 January 2021 a training workshop on “Victims identification, Protection, and Referral related to Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants”. This activity is part of a series of three workshops with the objective of training relevant stakeholders on the subject. The other two sessions will be held in Karachi and Lahore in February 2021 with same stakeholders.
The participants of this training represented law enforcement authorities, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa social welfare, child protection, Labor departments, and Civil Society Organizations. The first day of workshop aimed at enhancing the participants understanding of Trafficking in Persons (TIP), and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM), familiarize them with national policies and laws related to these two crimes, as well as with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related of victims identification, case management, referral, protection and assistance. The session was attended 25 participants (12 female, 13 male).
While delivering welcoming remarks, Ehsan Gilani, UNODC Assistant Programme Officer, stressed that “UNODC is working in close collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and civil society to address the issue of victims’ protection and assistance”. Shahida Gillani, UNODC National Programme Officer, added that Pakistan has enacted laws to Prevent Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants with a specific focus on victims’ protection and assistance, that is further elaborated in the recently approved rules (bylaws). Therefore, it is key to grasp victim identification, case management, referral, protection and assistance SOPs. This training provided an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about the victim-centered approaches in TIP and SOM, recognize the role that different organizations play and the importance of coordinating with each other. The participants welcomed the initiative and actively participated in the discussions, shared their experiences and explained how they dealt with such cases.
The main objectives of the workshops were:
This workshop provided the opportunity 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.
“The topic under discussion[The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act and Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2018] is not commonly debated. We got a chance to learn more about it and we hope to involve our department and other government offices in working on these lines in the future.” – Participant
“The workshop has provided us with an opportunity to clarify the subject, difference between TIP and SOM, and how we can utilize the knowledge in our day to day practical life. This platform is an excellent opportunity for departments to coordinate and work closely with each other to fight this menace.” – Participant.
“The workshop has been very useful for us since our mandate is to handle both human trafficking and migrants smuggling. We are glad that the training specially emphasized on victim protection and assistance because it is one missing link which most of the law enforcement agencies are unable to connect.” - 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). 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, UNODC 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: unodc-glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act
Nation-wide awareness-raising campaign in Pakistan, please like and share:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UNODCCOPAK.GloAct/
Twitter: @GLOACTPakistan