UNODC, FIA to enhance collaboration to combat trafficking in persons

UNODC, FIA to enhance collaboration to combat trafficking in persons

ISLAMABAD, Apr 17 (APP):The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Federal investigation Agency on Wednesday organized a conference to enhance collaboration among key government stakeholders and the private sector, civil society, non-governmental organizations and private corporations to combat trafficking in persons.

Additional Director General Immigration FIA Ahmed Mukkarram in the opening remarks appreciated the efforts of UNODC and assistance provided by the US department of State.

He said, “it is with these efforts that the law against trafficking in persons had been enacted in Pakistan.”

Ahmed Mukkarram said, “Such engagement helps improve communication and raise awareness of relevant stakeholders on the issue. It helps recognize the victims and enhances delivery of services for the protection of victims of trafficking in persons and broadens access to available protection services.”

Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer UNODC Vienna Davor Raus expressed his appreciation of the participating stakeholders. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnership and said, “Partnership between governments and the private sector in preventing and fighting all forms of trafficking in persons has become the need of the hour.”

He added, “With collective efforts, we can defeat the menace and make the world a safer place”.

He said that UNODC looks to civil society and private sector organizations to contribute for raising awareness to prevent trafficking in persons”.

The UNODC Pakistan office has been assisting the government of Pakistan for over 35 years with the objective of assistance in overcoming common challenges and in meeting international obligations.

To help minimize trafficking in persons, UNODC and FIA have been working in close collaboration for many years. As partners both UNODC and FIA realize it is important to take all stakeholders, from both public and private sectors, on board to fight trafficking in persons.

The conference was attended by senior government officials, law enforcement officers, members of civil society, private sector organizations, non-governmental organizations, the media and other UN agencies.

An official of UNODC while taking to APP said that objective of the conference is to increase awareness on the importance of partnership between government and private sector in preventing and fighting all forms of trafficking in persons.

He expressed the hope that, the conference would also help improve communication among relevant stakeholders across the country.

APP Services