Action plan to counter human trafficking published

An action plan to combat trafficking in persons has been drawn up and published by the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs.

Its purpose is to consolidate current procedures and initiatives on the trafficking of persons, identify areas of concern requiring action, enhance accountability, provide the necessary tools and resources for the development of a holistic strategy in the fight against human trafficking, raise awareness  and, where necessary, enhance the administrative capacity of the authorities to deal with human trafficking.

The sector is currently being overseen by a Human Trafficking Monitoring Committee chaired by the Office of the Prime Minister.

The plan proposes as one of its first actions, the establishment of a Stakeholder Task Force to group all interested sectors at an operational level.

It proposes the publication of quarterly and annual reports on actions undertaken in the field of human trafficking and says the ministries of education, justice and human affairs and foreign affairs should conduct an awareness-raising campaign.

The plan calls for the recruitment of personnel  in legal and psychological services, facilitate the investigation of human trafficking cases and enhance services and support offered to the victims of human trafficking.

It also proposes increased training to the judiciary, law-enforcement officials, agencies such as Appogg, the Office of the Refugee Commissioner and NGOs.

It also calls for the drawing up of a Manual of Procedures for the identification of victims of trafficking for healthcare providers, social services organisations and law enforcement officials.

It also suggests studies on the needs of the victims of trafficking.

A review of anti-trafficking legislation is also sought.

See the plan by clicking on the pdf link below.