Sri Lanka: Enhancing Capacities of Officials to Counter Trafficking in Persons

 

Figure 1: Four Training Workshops to sensitize Authorized Officers

Colombo, August 27, 2019: Seeking to strengthen institutional responses to counter trafficking in persons, UNODC convened a series of four training workshops for 100 authorised officers of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Government of Sri Lanka in August.

The trainings were aimed at equipping the participating officials with the relevant skills and knowledge to enhance victim identification.

The discussions focused on a wide range of thematic areas, including the legal framework applicable to human trafficking, the difference between human trafficking and human smuggling, and ways to identify and assist victims.

Participants also deliberated on the Standard Operating Procedures introduced by the National Anti- Human Trafficking Task Force, and the need for officials to understand the sections relevant to the Department of Immigration and Emigration was emphasized.

This activity was held in the framework of the UNODC project on "Strengthening the implementation of a comprehensive response to trafficking in persons."

The project is implemented by UNODC Regional Office for South Asia as part of the Global Programme against Trafficking in Persons, with the financial support of the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund of the Government of United Kingdom.

Aimed at strengthening responses to tackling trafficking in persons as evidenced by better identification of victims and initiation of investigations, this project also contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in particular SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.