UNODC strengthens the capacities of Kyrgyz police officers in the prevention of trafficking in persons crimes

The Global UNODC Report on Trafficking in Persons 2022 indicates a general decrease in the number of detected victims of trafficking in persons for the first time in 20 years. This trend is also observed in the Central Asian region, including the Kyrgyz Republic, where fewer investigations occurred and both prosecutions and convictions declined throughout the region in 2020.

The Report says that this trend is also observed in the Central Asian region, including the Kyrgyz Republic, where fewer investigations occurred and both prosecutions and convictions declined throughout the region in 2020.

To support member states in responding to this challenge, UNODC is strengthening national capacity in the prevention and detection of trafficking in persons crimes through a series of training courses for frontline police officers and operative police officers of the Ministry of Interior Affairs.

“Frontline police officers play a crucial role in identifying potential victims of trafficking in persons and detecting potential trafficking crimes within their territories. However, they lack the necessary knowledge and skills, as systematic training has not been provided to them in recent years. Through this training, it is expected that more criminal cases can be successfully addressed by the police”, states Mr. Koen Marquering, UNODC International Programme Manager.

The training courses will take place in Osh city from 10 to 11 July, Batken city from 12 to 14 July, Bishkek city from 17 to 18 July, and the Issyk-Kul region from 20 to 21 July 2023.

The training will cover basic concepts of local and international legislation, various forms of trafficking in persons, methods of working with communities to prevent and detect the crime, fundamental principles and standards for providing services to trafficking in persons victims, and the presentation of a pocket-size handbook as a tool to support officers in addressing cases of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

As the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its complementary Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, UNODC supports the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in its efforts to strengthen the criminal justice response to trafficking in persons.

This training is part of the UNODC project supported by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (JTIP) at the United States Department of State. The project aims to institutionalize victim-centered investigations and prosecutions of trafficking in persons cases (TIP) while ensuring necessary assistance to trafficking in persons victims in the Kyrgyz Republic.

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For all inquiries, contact Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.)

Communication and PR Specialist at

UNODC Criminal Justice Programme in Central Asia

UNODC ROCA at

+996775987817 WhatsApp/Cell phone

vasilina.brazhko[at]un.org