International and national experts exchanged experience in combating human trafficking
Solving such a global problem as trafficking in human beings requires coordinated interaction that ensures the safety and protection of life, as well as law enforcement and sustainable development at all levels - from local to international.
It is especially important to strengthen international cooperation between judicial, supervisory and consular authorities in order to counter organized crime.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) “Safe Migration in Central Asia” Program in Turkmenistan and the USAID “Good Governance Assistance” Program in Turkmenistan, organized a roundtable on improving national anti-trafficking legislation with a focus on victim-centred approaches. The meeting took place in the conference hall of the UN building in Ashgabat.
The meeting was attended by USAID Representative in Turkmenistan Nino Nadiradze, international consultants, representatives of projects and programs in Turkmenistan - UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), USAID.
From the Turkmen side, representatives of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor General's Office, the State Migration Service, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population, and civil society took part in the round table.
The meeting was opened by USAID Representative in Turkmenistan Nino Nadiradze, who noted the need for a coherent, consistent and coordinated approach of international organizations and the government in organizing and implementing a number of measures aimed at combating human trafficking.
― When people talk about human trafficking, it is focused on law enforcement, prosecutors and the criminal justice system. The most important aspect of protecting the rights of victims, both inside and outside the system, is providing them with information, support and protection from repeated violence, Nino Nadiradze said.
She also expressed special gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country for support and assistance in organizing a series of these events.
Further, head of the USAID Safe Migration in Central Asia Program Eleanor Valentine addressed the audience via video link. She called trafficking in human beings one of the types of cross-border crime that hinders universal development, and stressed the importance of a comprehensive solution to the problem, as well as improving the current system of actions.
Elena Nyanenkova, an international consultant on legal reforms in the field of human trafficking, introduced the audience to international practice in combating human trafficking and presented a comparative analysis of national legislation.
National and international experts of the project also presented recommendations and proposals for updating the legislation based on the analysis of the legislation of Turkmenistan on combating human trafficking, which was conducted in 2018 by UNODC, as well as taking into account the recommendations and comments of the members of the relevant working group.
Artur PETROSYANTS
