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INTRODUCTION: Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants in South Asia is a three-year (2024-2027), €9 million initiative funded by the European Union (EU) and delivered by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the framework of the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT). It is being implemented in five countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, with cross-cutting regional challenges examined in India. |
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PROJECT BACKGROUND: Building on the success of EU-funded projects under GLO.ACT since 2015 - including GLO.ACT-Asia and the Middle East and GLO.ACT-Bangladesh - this project further strengthens the global community of practice dedicated to countering Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. |
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OBJECTIVE: The project is tailored to benefit various stakeholder groups, including: Governmental authorities, law enforcement officials, and legal practitioners in partner countries. Civil society organizations working in the field of TIP and SOM. External partners interested in legal development and evidence-based national plans. Actual and potential victims of trafficking and migrants in vulnerable situations, with a specific focus on women, children, people living with disabilities, and indigenous populations. |
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TARGET GROUPS: The overall objective is to ensure that South Asian countries develop and implement more effective responses to Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants, focusing on criminal justice, international law, and human rights protection. Prevention and protection approaches are mainstreamed throughout the project. |
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OUTCOME 1: PROVIDING EVIDENCE-BASED STRATEGIES AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS
Under this component, UNODC works with government authorities to develop evidence-based strategies, policies, and legal frameworks to counter Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, address obstacles to effective investigations, and promote gender equality, child rights, and human rights. |
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OUTCOME 2: PROVIDING RIGHTS-BASED, GENDER-SENSITIVE CAPACITY BUILDING
Under this component, UNODC enhances criminal justice practitioners' knowledge of online-enabled trafficking and smuggling, improve the use of technology in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting cases, and strengthen financial investigations and cooperation between law enforcement and financial regulators to trace illicit financial flows. |
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OUTCOME 3: ACTIVATING AND STRENGTHENING AGENCY-TO-AGENCY COMMUNICATION, INTERNATIONAL AND BILATERAL COOPERATION
Under this component, UNODC supports inter-agency communication, joint investigations, and judicial cooperation, both regionally and internationally, enhancing cross-border collaboration and operational partnerships. |
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OUTCOME 4: VICTIM IDENTIFICATION, ASSISTANCE, PROTECTION AND SUPPORT
Under this component, UNODC partners with selected civil society organizations to improve protection and assistance for all trafficking victims and smuggled migrants, including women, children, people living with disabilities, and marginalized groups. |
INTEGRATION OF CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES The project integrates human rights, gender equality, intersectionality, and children’s rights into its strategy and operations.
SYNERGIES AND COMPLEMENTARITY The project aims to establish synergies with other crime prevention and criminal justice projects, both regionally and globally, and seeks coordination and complementarity with other anti-human trafficking and migrant smuggling initiatives to avoid duplication and ensure maximum impact.
EXIT AND SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY Recognizing the complexity of the operating environment, the project acknowledges that many solutions will require long-term efforts beyond the project's timeframe. Therefore, it employs an Exit and Sustainability Strategy, grounded in the following 7 inter-related principles:
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Mr. Martin Reeve, Project Coordinator
E-mail: martin.reeve@un.org; unodc-glo.act@un.org
Webpage: GLO.ACT South Asia
X: @glo_act
