From 9-11 November, the Office organized a study visit of Azerbaijani senior Government
officials and civil society members to Rome, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Internal
Affairs. The delegation, comprising a multi-disciplinary group, conducted a series of meetings
with the Italian state agencies involved in combating THB. They also visited the offices of
Italian NGOs assisting victims of THB. As a result of the three-day visit, the delegation
became more familiar with the good practices of Italian counter-trafficking response in victim
and witness protection and assistance.
From 14-19 November, the Office supported the training of social workers of local
Government agencies and civil society on the provision of assistance to child victims of
abuse and trafficking. During the training, the participants also discussed the gaps existing in
the prevention of child abuse and trafficking, as well as shortcomings in the co-ordination and
referral of child victims.
On 23 November, the Office participated in a meeting of the OSCE Focal Points on Antitrafficking and presented the Office's activities implemented during 2011, along with priorities
for 2012. During the meeting, participants also discussed the challenges in addressing the
issue and the possibilities of joint activities involving countries of origin, transit and
destination.
On 13 December, the Office joined the OSR/CTHB, the IOM and the UNHCR in conducting a
sensitization seminar on “Human Trafficking and Forced Labour”. The event was one of a
series of similar regional events for the law enforcement agencies of the cities of Aghstafa,
Gazakh, Shamkir and Tovuz. Discussions focused on legal frameworks, indicators for victim
identification, the treatment of victims, and investigative techniques.
From 15-16 and on 22 December, the OIM, the UNHCR Azerbaijan and the Ministry of
Internal Affairs’ Anti-Trafficking Department conducted workshops for regional law
enforcement agencies. The workshops on 15-16 December convened members of the
National Action Plan for Aghstafa, Gazakh, Shamkir and Tovuz. The workshop on 22
December in Lankaran included members of the National Action Plan of all southern regions
of Azerbaijan. Both workshops addressed human trafficking and forced labour from the
perspective of regional officials and civil society who are most likely to have the first and
most direct contact with victims of trafficking and traffickers themselves. Representatives of
the police, the State Migration Service, the Ministry of Justice, the Social Protection Centre,
the Executive Authorities, the Ministry of National Security and civil society from the abovementioned regions attended the events.
Border Security and Management
On 3 February, the Office and a representative of the OS/Borders Team met with the Deputy
Director of the State Border Service (SBS) of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, the SBS
Deputy Director briefed about the status of development of the SBS and plans for future
reforms. In addition, prospects of future co-operation in the areas of training, technical
support and regional cross-border co-operation were discussed.
On 4-5 February, the Office and a representative of the OS/Borders Team visited Tbilisi to
meet high ranking officials from Georgian law enforcement agencies and international
organizations. During the visit the Office met with the Deputy Director of the Department of
Patrol Police, the Management of the Police Academy, the Head of Euro-Atlantic Integration
Unit, and the Head of the Project Management Team of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as
well as the State Border Service and its Department for International Relations. During the
meetings the parties discussed the Office’s activities and identified areas of future cooperation in the South Caucasus region. The findings of the meetings were going to be used
to develop new projects on border management and cross border co-operation in the fight
against drug trafficking and other types of organized crime.
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