UNIPATH STAFF
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan announced that it launched the first National Simulation Exercise on Combating Human Trafficking in cooperation with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Bishkek.
The four-day simulation took place in Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul province. Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Zhyldyz Bakashova and Head of the OSCE Program Office in Kyrgyzstan Alexey Rogov initiated the training program.
Kyrgyz officials recognize the importance of this event to better locate and help victims of human trafficking through a new approach.
“We understand that the fight against this type of crime should be tackled with new technologies and approaches. We should improve the system of criminal prosecution of criminals,” Bakashova said.
She presented a new training format developed by the OSCE that is applicable to agencies with more than 60 employees, including Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, labor inspectors, social services, and nongovernmental and international organizations.
The simulation involved real-time anti-trafficking measures in an environment resembling reality as much as possible. The program is designed to prevent human trafficking, support victims, improve skills of government and nongovernmental organizations, and update Kyrgyzstan’s legal system.
These exercises followed the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry’s announcement on July 30, 2021, that it was launching a 100-day informational campaign to stop human trafficking. According to the head of the Criminal Police Service of the Interior Ministry, Marlis Dzhumabaev, the campaign was motivated by the U.N. General Assembly’s declaration of July 30 as World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
He stressed that the country’s policy on trafficking must include rescuing and rehabilitating people trapped in servitude.
Sources: Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Kaktus Media, Kabar