U.S. Gov Strengthens Regional Cooperation to Combat Human Trafficking

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, October 23, 2013 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Tajikistan’s Inter-Ministerial Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons, with assistance from the United States, hosted a regional conference focused on the improvement of international cooperation between state institutions, training centers, and NGOs in the field of combating trafficking in persons.  The event was attended by representatives from government agencies and academic institutions from the Russian Federation, the Republics of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as nongovernment organizations (NGOs) operating in Tajikistan.

During the Conference, participants discussed ways to increase collaboration between law enforcement agencies and academic institutions.  Participants also identified common issues associated with trafficked victims such as identification, involvement in judicial proceedings, victim protection, repatriation, and reintegration.

The event was funded by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and implemented by IOM. In close partnership with the Government of Tajikistan, this project supports Tajikistan’s efforts to combat trafficking in persons through legislation, training of law enforcement and judiciary staff, as well as establishing an effective National Referral Mechanism for identifying and assisting the victims of trafficking.

The Counter-Trafficking Project is one of the many assistance projects supported by the U.S. Government.  Since 1992, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has provided over $1 billion in programs that support Tajikistan’s democratic institutions, health care, education, and economic growth.