DUSHANBE, January 3, Asia-Plus — An official ceremony of opening of the National Training Center for training personnel dealing with counter-trafficking issues was held at the Faculty of Law of Tajik National University in Dushanbe today.
It is the first of its kind center in Central Asia and it was established with aid of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Tajikistan, Interagency Commission for Combating human Trafficking and the Center for Socioeconomic Development and Human Rights IMRAN under financial support of the US Department of State.
During the inaugurating ceremony it was noted that the center would be engaged in training Tajik law enforcement officials to investigate, prosecute and deter crimes related to trafficking in persons.
Representatives from the IOM Mission in Tajikistan noted that in the near future the Center would start research in problems of trafficking in persons and development of scientific approaches to combat this phenomenon.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tom Hushek, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy in Dushanbe, noted that crimes related to trafficking in persons emerged mainly in those countries where there was trafficking in drugs and weapons.
“We have undertaken efforts to help Tajikistan strengthen fight against human trafficking,” said Mr. Hushek, “With our support two centers for victims of trafficking have been set up; the centers assist them with returning to normal life.”
Mr. Hushek also noted that the US Department of State had provided $25,000 for establishment of the center.
After the official opening of the center a memorandum of cooperation between the Faculty of Law at Tajik National University and the IM Mission in Tajikistan was signed.
