OSCE Office supports seminar on anti-trafficking for embassy and consular staff in Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, 14 July 2008 - Raising awareness about human trafficking routes, forms and consequences as well as ways to assist victims was the aim of a seminar for the staff of embassies and consulates in Tajikistan in Dushanbe.

The two-day seminar was held on 11 and 12 July by the local non-governmental organization Modar. It was co-organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and supported by the Inter-Ministerial Commission to Combat Human Trafficking.

"Embassy and consulate staff in charge of issuing visa and travel documents can play a key role in preventing human trafficking by identifying possible victims and promptly reporting the information to the relevant agencies," said Graziella Piga, Manager of the Gender and Anti-Trafficking Programme at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. "Moreover, they can assist in the repatriation of victims, thus avoiding re-victimization of trafficked persons."

"The seminar is specifically tailored to make embassies and key consular officials involved in migration and tourism more aware about human trafficking, and will provide a general overview on the national and international framework aimed at fighting human trafficking," said Gulcehra Mirzoeva, Director of Modar.

The second day of the seminar will end with a roundtable discussion to foster co-operation between embassy and law enforcement staff taking part in the event.

The seminar is part of the OSCE Office's initiative, "Do not become the trophy of traffickers of the 21st century: to be aware means to be prepared". The countrywide project includes a number of activities that will be carried out this year, including an awareness-raising campaign, a seminar for university students, an initiative for youth action against human trafficking and an international summer school on anti-trafficking.

"The Republic of Tajikistan adopted an Anti-Trafficking Law in 2004 and we are making every effort to enhance the professional preparation of officials that are involved in the fight against human trafficking. We welcome the OSCE's co-operation in the implementation of our National Action Plan for 2006-2010," said Ramazon Rahimov, Head of the Inter-Ministerial Commission to Combat Human Trafficking.