Victim Reception and Facilitation Center: GLO.ACT trains frontline staff on victim
identification, protection, and referral related to human trafficking and migrant
smuggling
Quetta, Pakistan 8 December 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 a two-day training on 17 November 2021 for frontline staff based at the victim reception and facilitation center on victim identification, screening, protection and referral related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling cases.
The workshop aimed to enhance participants knowledge about international and national laws of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) and familiarized them with the concept of victim identification, profiling, protection, and referral based on the implementation rules of Pakistans laws on TIP and SOM. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) experts also delivered sessions on interviewing potential victims and discussed case studies that helped participants interpret relevant provisions of law.
Sardar Zaheer Ahmed, Director Anti-Human Smuggling, FIA, highlighted the importance of the capacity building of frontline staff and reflected on the FIA role. He outlined that being the lead agency, one of the central roles designated to the FIA is the sensitization of all stakeholders about the enacted laws on TIP and SOM. That staff training is at the heart of this strategy as it supports prevention and response efforts. UNODC technical assistance has been instrumental in the FIA efforts.
Mr Ahmed highlighted that since the enactment of these laws, the FIA, with the support of UNODC, has held numerous sensitization and training sessions with LEAs, Bar Councils, academia, and civil society. He also pointed out that the FIA has also reached out to the prosecutors and received an encouraging response. Saying that "Our focus is to achieve two-pronged results. First, to raise awareness with people about the crimes and second to have a collaborative response from all relevant actors to address the issue."
Flagging that frontline staff play a pivotal role in identifying, protecting, and assisting victims of trafficking and smuggled migrants, he concluded by saying, "It is important to provide the required knowledge, operational skills, and constructive attitude to prevent these crimes and protect victims and vulnerable migrants."
The training workshop enhanced participants knowledge and understanding about TIP and SOM. The trainer also spoke about the TIP and SOM Protocols and explained the benefits of accession by any State. The interactive nature of the workshop ensured that participants understood the elements that constitute both crimes can distinguish them, and recognize common misconceptions regarding trafficking in persons.
Twenty-two frontline officers (21 males/1 female) from the FIA and Balochistan Levies participated in the workshop.
"I am thankful to UNODC and the FIA for providing this opportunity. I have been working at VRFC for a few weeks now and have dealt with deportees. Differentiating between the two crimes was confusing for me, but now, I can distinguish between both. The session delivered by experts is going to help me a lot in the victim identification and screening process." Participant
"Knowledge of existing laws, understanding of international frameworks and victim protection, assistance and referral are essential while working on the frontline. I am thankful to the FIA and UNODC for providing this learning platform. " 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.
For more information, please contact:
Shahida Gillani, National Project Officer
Email: Shahida.gillani@un.org
For more information, please visit:
Email: glo.act@un.org
Nation-wide awareness-raising campaign in Pakistan, please like and share:
Twitter: @GLOACTPakistan