05.04.2019

International Workshop on the Role of Criminal Prosecutions in Combating Human Trafficking in Baku, April 3-4, 2019 Under the Project "Increasing National Capacity to Combat Human Trafficking in Azerbaijan" within the Interaction with the Representative Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Azerbaijan was held.

The purpose of the event was to increase the capacity of the Government of Azerbaijan in the fight against human trafficking and protection of victims of trafficking, increasing the knowledge and skills of the authorities, strengthening international cooperation and information sharing in this area.

The seminar was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Prosecutor General's Office, the judiciary, the Bar Association and representatives of a number of foreign countries (Turkey, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, Switzerland, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus). Representatives of the Regional Office of the International Organization for Migration (INTERPOL, EUROJUST, European Court of Human Rights).

During first speech at the opening of the event, Head of the Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Police General-Major Heydar Heydarov spoke about the work done in this area in Azerbaijan, in particular, was based on the National Action Plans. comprehensive reforms aimed at improving social welfare, improving the welfare of the population, steps to strengthen law enforcement activities, preventing these actions and organizing high level of criminal prosecution, reliable protection of legal interests of citizens, also made notes that ratified international documents and conventions by the Republic of Azerbaijan made new opportunities for institutional development in the fight against human trafficking.

In her speech Adviser EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, Simona Gatty praised the efforts, partnership, and cooperation of the Government of Azerbaijan, which has made significant efforts in the fight against human trafficking, and noted that criminal prosecution is one of the areas that need more support and improvement.

The head of the International Organization for Migration in Azerbaijan Vladimir Gjorgijev said that the goal of the project "Strengthening the National Capacity to Combat Human Trafficking in Azerbaijan" was to promote legal provisions related to human rights and fundamental freedoms. To support the Government's efforts to combat human trafficking and transnational organized crime.

At the seminar Head of the Division of the Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Police Colonel-Lieutenant Ilkin Gurbanov made a presentation on "Countering Human Trafficking - Azerbaijani Experience", informed the participants about the work done in our country, answered arisen questions.

The event discussed cooperation in the sphere of fight against human trafficking at the international, regional and local levels, as well as the improvement and application of national legislation in this area.