DUSHANBE, September 29, 2015, Asia-Plus — A two-day training-seminar entitled “The Role of Diplomatic and Consular Staff in Combating Human Trafficking”, focused on improving the knowledge of twenty employees of the embassies and consulates in the field of combating human trafficking, is concluding in Dushanbe today.
The training is organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Inter-Ministerial Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons of Tajikistan and the National Training Center for Combating Trafficking in Persons under the Tajik National University, with funding provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP).
According to the IOM Mission in Tajikistan, the training aims at assisting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies and consular offices of the Republic of Tajikistan in developing and implementing activities related to combating trafficking in persons and protecting victims of trafficking in foreign countries where the possibility of cases of human trafficking is increased, as well as familiarizing them with the role of the National Referral Mechanism in the identification and referral of victims of human trafficking to the relevant governmental and civil society organizations for assistance.
Trafficking in persons is one of the hazards that pose a threat to humanity, and therefore embassies, consulates and migration services abroad in destination countries play an especially important role in combating trafficking in person as a first point of contact between the home country and victims of human trafficking. Training of officials of these structures in necessary skills for cooperation with the organizations working in this direction will contribute to the effective combating of trafficking in persons in Tajikistan.
Participants are discussing the situation of human trafficking in Tajikistan, including the new national legislation and international instruments, as well as familiarize themselves with the experience of international cooperation of Tajikistan in the field of combating human trafficking. Local experts on trafficking in persons are providing clarification in determining the role of the diplomatic and consular personnel in combating human trafficking and providing assistance to victims of trafficking, and introducing participants to new trends in protection, identification and repatriation of victims of trafficking in the countries of destination and origin. Particular attention has been paid to the referral mechanism of victims of trafficking, as well as psychological and ethical principles of communication with victims of human trafficking.
In addition, participants are learning about the best practices of cooperation between government agencies and civil society in Tajikistan and about the role of IOM and NGOs in the joint efforts for providing protection and assistance to victims of trafficking, including support for shelters and hotlines in the country in the frame of Counter-Trafficking Project.
