Uniting Against Trafficking: Mock Trial Training for Stakeholders in Albania

13-15 February 2024, Tirana, Albania, In a collaborative effort to combat trafficking in persons (TiP) and emphasize a victim-centered approach, officials from various Albanian institutions, including law enforcement, judiciary, NGOs, and victim shelters, successfully participated in a Mock Trial Exercise. This significant initiative was made possible through a partnership with the School of Magistrates of the Republic of Albania.

During this advanced program, participants effectively addressed the issue of human trafficking, focusing on enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement and judicial institutions. The primary objective was to ensure the proper consideration of victims' rights within the justice system. 

Mr. Arben Rakipi, Director of the School of Magistrates of the Republic of Albania, highlighted the imperative of collaborative effort and mutual development in fostering a multidisciplinary approach. He emphasized the need for cooperation and knowledge sharing, stating, “It is imperative that concerted efforts are employed to ensure the protection of all individuals involved”.

Political Officer at the US Embassy, Mr. Keith West, stressed the importance of continuous assessment, acknowledging progress made, yet taking steps to address shortcomings.  Noting a decline in TiP convictions in recent year, he expressed confidence in Albanian law enforcement institutions to reverse the trend, urging increased prosecution and conviction in TiP cases, emphasizing a victim-centered, trauma approach. “Through this training and your professional commitment, you are the ones who will make the end to impunity possible” Mr. West said. 

The Mock Trial's methodology drew insights from the UNODC's publication, "Analysis of Cases of Trafficking in Human Beings in the Republic of Albania." This collaborative effort provided practical lessons and recommendations to enhance anti-trafficking efforts, offering a profound understanding of the local landscape.

Participants engaged in simulated legal proceedings, assuming various roles, including prosecutors, judges, defendants, victims, witnesses, and lawyers. The immersive experience facilitated a hands-on opportunity to navigate the complexities of human trafficking cases.

Judge Mr. Artan Çirraga, who also played the role of a judge in the Mock Trial, emphasized the training's effectiveness in improving the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases, he says “This type of training organized in an innovative form, helps in a complex, active and fast interaction between all actors involved in this context such as judges, prosecutors, judicial police officers, lawyers, social workers and psychologists , or social institutions, sharing their experiences in cases of human trafficking. The training helps the participants in improving the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking cases successfully, the punishment of the perpetrators, the identification of the most adequate treatment of the victims of trafficking”. He additionally, adds on the role the training has on victim -centered approach “The training helps the court better understands the fact that such a victim, in any case, has traumatic experiences that can be reactivated during the judicial examination and can bring damages to him. So, as a whole, the entire training aimed to place the victim at the center of the investigation and trial, aiming to implement such an approach in practice” Mr. Çirraga adds.

 

Judge Ms. Dejvi Çelçima, who played the role of a prosecutor, highlighted the need for further development of such trainings, providing practical insights into the application and interpretation of trafficking cases in court, “Such trainings should be further developed, as they constitute an innovation for the practical implementation of the material and procedural law on human trafficking, as in the conditions where the court cases in the court that I cover are missing, the knowledge remains only within the limits of legal interpretation. Therefore, the approach of experts in the field on how the law is applied in practice, helps me to be more concise and clear in relation to the application and interpretation of trafficking cases, not only in terms of the management of court cases, but also in the interpretation of the implementation of the law”.

 

Ms. Elona Katana, originally the Head of Social Sector at The National Reception Center for Victims of Trafficking, played the role of the Attorney of the Victim in the Mock Trial. She emphasized the positive influence of the simulation in reinforcing efficacy, commitment, and readiness to address the cases human trafficking by adding “The positive influence of this simulation is evident in reinforcing our efficacy, particularly during the trial process. It has fortified our commitment and heightened our readiness to address the complexities of human trafficking cases”.

 

This mock trial training, a direct outcome of collaborative endeavors, aims to combat human trafficking and deliver justice to victims. By imparting essential skills to diverse professionals, the simulation demonstrated the power of role-playing in tackling real-world challenges, fortifying the regional response to human trafficking.

The activity was conducted within the framework of the "UN.Locking Impunity of Traffickers and Supporting Justice for Victims of Trafficking in Persons in Southeastern Europe" (2021-2024), implemented by the UNODC Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling team (HTMSS) and the UNODC Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe. Financed by the U.S. Department of State's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, this initiative contributed to SDG 16, particularly Target 16.2, to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children.