UNODC and Partners in Turkmenistan Discuss Latest Developments in Legislation Reforms on Combating Trafficking in Persons

However, this crime is widespread and thrives particularly in situations where the rule of law is weak and criminal justice systems ineffective.

“Most countries, including Turkmenistan, already have the necessary anti-trafficking laws in place, but their continuous improvement and alignment with the provisions of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime are of fundamental importance in identifying victims and ensuring that they have access to the protection and services they need, and in bringing transnational criminal groups to justice”, said Mr. Koen Marquering, International Programme Coordinator at UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia.

UNODC in 2018 conducted a Legal Analysis of the Turkmenistan Legislation on countering trafficking in personsThe recommendations from this analysis were discussed during the second workshop on Strengthening national policies on trafficking in persons”  held on 26 to 27 May in Turkmenistan.

The workshop engaged 21 experts in the field representing the Government and NGOs of Turkmenistan who were introduced to latest developments in legislation reforms in the area of countering trafficking in persons in EU and CIS countries. Along with UNODC-developed Legal Analysis, the proposals prepared by international and national experts to improve Turkmen legislation and the possibility to adapt and integrate the provided recommendations into relevant laws and decrees were carefully reviewed.

National and international experts shared best practices on the development of victim identification and support policy and procedures, and sources of funding for national referral mechanisms, with a particular focus on a victim-centered approach that could be applicable to the Turkmenistan context.

The participants were familiarized with the experience of Uzbekistan on Reform of countering trafficking in persons Legislation in Practice: Standard Operating Procedures for National Referral Mechanisms; Sources of funding for the National referral mechanism and Best Practices of Collaboration between State Agencies and the Civil Sector in countering TIP; and experience of Kazakhstan in strengthening state and CSOs cooperation in their efforts to prevent Trafficking in Persons.

“It is very important to understand that the fight against human trafficking brings us closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, the fight against organized crime and the elimination of forced labor, abuse, exploitation and violence against children. Fighting this global problem means building a society in which no one is left behind”, concluded Mr. Koen Marquering.