First national pilot OSCE anti-trafficking simulation exercise to highlight effective strategies and associated challenges in Uzbekistan

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator Office in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the National Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour has started a pilot anti-trafficking simulation exercise at the premises of the Academy under the General Prosecutor’s Office on 12 December 2022 in Tashkent. Approximately 50 professionals from law enforcement agencies will gather for a five-day simulation exercise, including the representatives from the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Academy under the General Prosecutor’s Office, Agency on Social and Medical Support, lawyers and civil society organizations.

The main aim of this pilot simulation training to improve inter-agency coordination and cooperation within the newly established national referral mechanism for the victims of human trafficking by prioritizing the human rights centred and gender sensitive approach. The premises for the simulation exercise are recreated to simulate instances of sexual and labor exploitation of men, women, and children. Actors of the ‘Ilkhom” theatre simulating actual human trafficking scenarios are incorporated into this innovative training simulation methodology to offer front-line responders the chance to practice potential anti-trafficking responses.

Several participating States are engaging in organizing training exercises at a national level, following the OSCE model, which has demonstrated its effectiveness as an innovative and successful methodology to improve the skills and competencies of practitioners to work in a multi-disciplinary team when handling trafficking cases.