Ashgabat studies advanced world practices of combating human trafficking
Ashgabat is hosting a seminar on improving legislation in the field of combating human trafficking. The purpose of the seminar is to familiarize its participants with international experience in the development of policies and procedures for combating human trafficking, as well as to identify and provide assistance to its victims.
The meeting on Tuesday was attended by US Ambassador to Turkmenistan Matthew Klimow, heads and representatives of international organizations, projects and programs in Turkmenistan - the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), USAID, the International Labor Organization (ILO).
From the Turkmen side, the seminar was attended by representatives of the Mejlis and the office of the Ombudsman, a number of ministries - Foreign Affairs, Justice, Internal Affairs, Labor and Social Protection, Healthcare and Medical Industry, as well as the Prosecutor General's Office, the Migration Service, the Institute of State, Democracy and Law, Civil Society organizations.
The meeting was opened by Ambassador Matthew Klimow, who said that since the UN protocol on human trafficking was opened for signature on December 12, 2000 in Palermo, 178 countries have acceded to it. We can consider that this is almost universal ratification.
The implementation of this protocol has led to an increase in the ability to detect, prosecute, and prevent human trafficking worldwide. This created a legal basis for defining human trafficking as a criminally punishable activity, that is, of a criminal, criminal nature.
“The UN Protocol has shed light on the human suffering caused by the exploitation of women and children in the first place,” the diplomat continued. “And it served to protect victims of human trafficking and provide them with assistance in full respect of human rights.
The US Ambassador drew the attention of the seminar participants to the fact that the pattern of human trafficking is changing. Perhaps now this phenomenon is taking on a new shape in a world that has completely changed due to the pandemic.
“And we all have a role to play in preventing, countering and eradicating human trafficking!” called Klimow.
The diplomat noted that Turkmenistan has achieved great success by developing legislation and aNational Action plan to combat human trafficking, and creating a national counter trafficking in persons working group.
“I am honored that the US Embassy also has the opportunity to support Turkmenistan's efforts and improve the country's achievements in this area,” Klimow emphasized.
…During the meeting, participants were briefed on good practices that countries are implementing to ensure that their national policies are in line with the Palermo Protocol to Prevent and Suppress Trafficking in Persons.
International experts (some of them spoke online) presented a comparative analysis of the work of National Referral Mechanisms (NRMs), spoke about their experience in the field of sources of funding for NRMs and the provision of compensation, as well as mechanisms for compensating victims of human trafficking.
The seminar will continue on Wednesday.
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