Employees of Tajikistan embassies and consulates abroad participated at the training on combatting human trafficking on 01-02 June 2016 in Dushanbe.

The staff of the Tajik MFA Headquarter, Embassies and Consulates of the Republic of Tajikistan, were familiarized with the role of the National Referral Mechanism in identification and referral of victims of human trafficking to relevant government and civil society organizations for assistance.

 The training was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan and the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP).

Human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery and involves trade of a person for labour or sexual exploitation or financial gain. As human trafficking mostly is a trans-border crime and many victims are in desperate needs in foreign countries, embassies, consulates and migration services abroad in destination countries play an especially vital role in rescuing and saving lives and fates as a first point of contact between the home country and victims. Training of officials of these structures contributes to effective combating of trafficking in persons in Tajikistan.

Participants discussed the situation of human trafficking in Tajikistan, including the new national legislation and international instruments, as well as were familiarized with the experience of international cooperation of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of combating human trafficking. Local experts provided clarification in determining the role of diplomatic and consular personnel in combating human trafficking and providing assistance to victims of trafficking, and introduced participants to new trends in protection, identification and repatriation of victims of trafficking. Particular attention was paid to the referral mechanism of victims of trafficking, as well as psychological and ethical principles of communication with victims of human trafficking.

In addition, participants learned about the best practices of cooperation between government agencies and civil society in Tajikistan and about the role of IOM and NGOs in provision of protection and assistance to victims of trafficking, including support for shelters and hotlines.