UNIAP workshop advances regional cooperation on legal response to human trafficking

Bangkok, 28-30 April 2010 - UNIAP held a workshop aimed at improving the civil and criminal legal response to cross-border human trafficking cases from the Mekong region. The three-day event was attended by over 40 participants, including lawyers, public prosecutors and police, as well as NGOs that provide legal assistance to vulnerable populations in the Mekong region.

At the workshop, participants presented and discussed the policies and legal frameworks related to the crime of human trafficking and how investigations are conducted in the region. The workshop included case analysis exercises and group discussions in which participants shared information about the successes and challenges they face related to human trafficking casework in their respective countries. In addition, the NGOs presented current issues and difficulties related to their casework, for consideration and input from the group.

All the participants expressed great interest in building stronger relationships with their counterparts in neighbouring countries, and appreciated the opportunity to discuss how to achieve this during the workshop.

“Improving cross-border relationships is critical in combating this transnational crime,” said Brig. Gen. Chiv Phally, Deputy Director of Anti-Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Department of Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior.  “Increasing communication and collaboration between police will no doubt benefit our efforts to put trafficking offenders in jail”, he added.

“I sincerely hope that UNIAP will continue to organise this kind of workshop for regional legal responders. If lawyers and prosecutors from Mekong countries could come together on a regular basis to review progress in legal cooperation and casework, we will be able to help many victims and prosecute more criminals,” said Ms. Ubonwan Boonrattanasamai, Anti-Labour Trafficking Project Coordinator for the Human Rights and Development Foundation in Thailand.

All participants stated that the workshop would help to create a stronger and more responsive regional NGO community and network. They committed to fostering the closer relationships that were developed during the course of the workshop.