Dushanbe, Tajikistan, August 29, 2023 – Today, International Organization for Migration within the frame of the USAID-funded Project and in co-operation with the Inter-Agency Commission for Combatting Trafficking in Persons organized a regular meeting on “Strengthening the implementation of the National Referral Mechanism on Counter Trafficking in Persons” in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The meeting brought together the national referral mechanism stakeholders and partners composed of government ministries and agencies, committees, NGOs and international organizations to discuss ongoing efforts in achievements and progress of Tajikistan on the implementation of the National Referral Mechanism aimed at identifying, protecting and assisting victims of trafficking in persons.

The meeting of NRM stakeholders and partners is supported through the USAID-funded Project: Tajikistan Safe Migration and Countering Trafficking in Persons with the aim of (i) identifying challenges and limitations to its functioning; (ii) identifying appropriate solutions; (iii) developing necessary tools for its improved functioning, such as standardized tools for victim identification and referral, standards of services, case management document, confidentiality, data sharing and protection protocols, ethical code of conduct; and (iv) monitoring and trouble-shooting the implementation of the NRM.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Zaitoona Naimova, Project Management Specialist Democracy and Governance Office USAID/Tajikistan, noted, “This is the second event of the “Safe Migration and Counter Trafficking in Persons” project which I am attending and very happy to see all the stakeholders here. Within the framework of this project, this is the first regular meeting of the National Referral Mechanism stakeholders and partners, and we are going to support the same meetings on regular basis to strengthen and improve the NRM and other relevant documents to to provide protection and assistance services to trafficked persons and other vulnerable people. In order to support the vulnerable people, we should put ourself in their shoes and closely cooperate and coordinate to strengthen functioning of NRM in Tajikistan. The USAID continues a tradition of collaboration between the U.S. and the Government of Tajikistan within the frame of the defined referral mechanism.”

In her opening remarks, Ms. Christina Tranca, IOM Chief of Mission, noted, “The National Referral Mechanism exists for long time, but still there are some gaps and challenges which should be eliminated. Every mechanism has its system and talking about NRM we don’t mean an iron but people who support the Mechanism to function. We  should put all our efforts in order to make this Mechanism function actively as requires and it will be very easily reached when Stakeholders know their roles and responsibilities. Through my analysis I have noticed that Tajikistan has very good regulations, but we also should take actions in order to implement them in reality and strengthen them.   If trafficking in persons survivors is identified more effectively and get access to high-quality protection services and support, and if the Tajikistan’s Countering Trafficking In Persons (CTIP) policies and approaches are better coordinated among all relevant stakeholders, then the vulnerability to TIP will be reduced and survivors will be better protected and empowered contributing to safer migration and addressing the negative effects of trafficking and criminal exploitation.”

Participants discussed national referral mechanism agenda: achievement and progress on the developed national guidelines and standards for identification, referral, protection and assistance in line with national laws, policies and regulations. During the meeting, participants raised the issue of membership in the NRM, as well as identifying a Coordinator who is responsible for the overall functioning of the NRM. This Coordinator should oversee NRM implementation, promotion, monitoring, evaluation, and financing.

Within the framework of the Tajikistan Safe Migration and Combating Trafficking in Persons project, IOM will work to improve the national referral system to protect and assist victims and potential victims of trafficking, including the country’s existing national referral mechanism (NRM). In particular, the project will work to improve the NRM by ensuring that the roles and responsibilities, procedures, and standards for victim identification, referral, protection and assistance are clearly delineated and recorded as a part of the NRM itself.

Referral mechanisms are necessary because trafficked persons have a wide array of needs and it is unlikely that any one government entity or organization can meet them all. Multiple and overlapping protection systems might exist in a specific context, with multiple organizations, each with a different mandate, providing different services. Coordination is thus essential to ensure that trafficked persons get the protection and assistance that they need and to avoid fragmentation in service delivery. Referral mechanisms also promote the effective use of resources (they help to avoid duplication of roles and responsibilities) and accountability (it is easier to hold stakeholders accountable for providing the protection and assistance needed).