Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gaël Rangain
Published on 2024-03-22 17:00:54
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organized a three-day program aimed at strengthening the capacity of front-line law enforcement officials in Mauritius to investigate cases of human trafficking. This training took place at the United Docks.
Alia Hirji, the IOM Chief of Mission for Mauritius and the Seychelles, emphasized the importance of such training initiatives in the fight against Trafficking In Persons (TIP) in Mauritius. She stated, “You will be equipped with the tools and expertise needed to identify victims, collect evidence, and prosecute the perpetrators of crimes.”
To shed light on the current situation, the Chief of Mission added, “In Mauritius, human trafficking poses distinct challenges, covering different thematic areas; the recent 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report from the United States Department of State classified Mauritius as a Tier 2 country (watch list). While this classification highlights the challenges we face, it also recognizes the significant efforts Mauritius is making in terms of complying with international standards. We must continue on this positive trajectory, and I am confident that with training like this, with government commitment, and the efforts of all partners, we can work together to bridge the gap to improve Mauritius’ ranking in 2024.”
The training program brought together front-line officers from various law enforcement entities, including the police, immigration, labor inspectors, the Attorney General’s office, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the prison service, and other relevant ministries. The training sessions were designed to cover key thematic areas essential to combating human trafficking, including international legal frameworks related to organized transnational crime, victim identification, investigation techniques, victim protection, a human rights-based approach to combating trafficking, and prosecution of traffickers.
The capacity-building training initiative was made possible thanks to the support of the European Union (EU)-funded Southern Africa Migration Management (SAMM) Project.
The SAMM project, jointly implemented by the IOM, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UNODC, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), aims to improve migration management in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region. The TIP training workshop organized as part of the SAMM project is a collaboration between different United Nations agencies to address migration challenges in a comprehensive and effective manner.
The training sessions included a combination of lectures, group work, and discussions, providing participants with practical information and tools to enhance their effectiveness in combating human trafficking. Participants also had the opportunity to engage with experts and share best practices, contributing to a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to combating TIP cases in Mauritius.
The success of this three-day training program marks a significant step forward in Mauritius’ efforts to combat human trafficking and uphold human rights. It reflects the commitment of all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards a future free of exploitation and abuse.
Read the original article(French) on Le Mauricien
