UNODC and Partners mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in Turkmenistan

UNODC jointly with national authorities and the USAID funded Safe Migration in Central Asia Program marked the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in Turkmenistan with a series of outreach events for local government officials, the private sector and youth.

During an interactive webinar on 30 July, 28 representatives of the Magtymguly Youth Organization from Ashgabat and Dashoguz, Mary and Lebap provinces discussed trafficking in persons and related international standards and good practices in its prevention. Based on the information received, the participating staff will be better able to work with youth to inform them on the risks of becoming a victim of human trafficking, what they can do to prevent this from happening and how to build resilience to trafficking in persons and other crime.

Earlier on 23 July, 14 young women and men who are planning to go abroad to study participated online briefing session on trafficking in persons and a discussion on related risks organized jointly with US Embassy’s Information Resource Center in Ashgabat.

During the first half of July, UNODC and USAID funded Safe Migration in Central Asia Program also partnered with the Office of the Ombudsperson to facilitate 5 seminars in Ashgabat and provinces of Turkmenistan to discuss the prevention of trafficking in persons and the importance of observing labour rights. The events brought together 58 representatives of government and the private sector.

With these activities, UNODC supports Turkmenistan to implement its 2020-2022 National Action Plan to Counter Trafficking in Persons. UNODC assistance in this area in Turkmenistan includes capacity development of law enforcement officers, criminal justice practitioners and other key stakeholders and the promotion of inter-agency and international cooperation and coordination to combat this heinous crime.