Baghdad, Iraq - 4 November 2024 - Combating trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants demands a comprehensive, integrated approach across the areas of prosecution, prevention, and protection. Iraq has taken a critical step forward in this regard, finalizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed to strengthen the investigation of such crimes.
Iraqi authorities have developed these SOPs, through partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union (EU) as part of the Global Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT), to equip officials with the essential tools to effectively investigate trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants' cases.
This achievement represents the culmination of years of close collaboration with the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, specifically the Directorate of Combating Organized Crime, the Directorate of Combating Human Trafficking, and the Training and Rehabilitation Directorate, with direct support from the Supreme Judicial Council and the Ministry of Justice in Baghdad.
During the official handover ceremony at the Training and Rehabilitation Directorate headquarters, the finalized SOPs were presented to relevant authorities, including the General Directors of the Training and Rehabilitation Department and the Director of Combating Human Trafficking Directorate and the Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Directorate,
“These SOPs will play a crucial role in the training programs for personnel involved in anti-human trafficking efforts, strengthening both national and international initiatives aimed at eradicating these grave issues. On this occasion, the Ministry of Interior expresses its sincere gratitude to UNODC and the European Union for their invaluable support in the development of the SOPs. Their close cooperation is instrumental in enhancing national capacity and response to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM),” said Brigadier Mustafa Al-Yasiri, Director of the Combating Human Trafficking Directorate and Head of the Committee responsible for developing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
“The European Union commends the Government of Iraq in its pursuit to further enhance its national response to the trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants, through its strong collaboration with UNODC. In the framework of the EU-funded GLO.ACT initiatives, the handover of the Standard Operating Procedures for investigating officers mark a vital step towards successful conviction of offenders, redressal of victim’s grievances and prevention of trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants”. Said Mr. Lennart Deridder, EU Head of Cooperation.
“The primary goal of these standards is to support law enforcement agencies and partners in the effective investigation of human trafficking and migrant smuggling cases, ensuring justice is served, perpetrators are convicted, and the rights of victims are protected,” said Mr. Ali El Bereir, Senior Programme Coordinator and Head of the UNODC Office in Iraq.
Representatives from UNODC and the EU reiterated their continued support for Iraq’s comprehensive efforts to strengthen its response to human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
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The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is implementing the European Union-(EU) funded PROTECT initiative within the framework of GLO.ACT across Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. This initiative also addresses challenges in the broader Central Asia region, including the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, with a primary focus on enhancing the effectiveness of responses to trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM), particularly in relation to criminal justice. Meanwhile, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is responsible for implementing the PROTECT initiative in Afghanistan (specifically through virtual MRC Afghanistan), Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Their primary objectives include improving gender-sensitive and rights-based migration governance at the national level and establishing Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs).
The project is funded by the European Union.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Reeve (Mr.), Coordinator, GLO.ACT, Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section, UNODC
Email: martin.reeve@un.org
Golda Myra ROMA (Ms.), Senior Project Manager, ICMPD Silk Routes Region – Budapest Process
Email: Golda.Roma@icmpd.org
