25.05.2021

On May 25, 2021, a meeting was held at the Main Department on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings at the Ministry of Internal Affairs with a delegation from the Embassy of the United Kingdom in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting was attended by the Head of the Main Department, Police Major General Hazi Aslanov, Deputy Chief Police Colonel Samir Zeynalov, Head of Division Police Lieutenant Colonel Ramil Kazimov, and Chief Operations Commissioner for Special Important Cases Police Lieutenant Colonel Elshad Mammadli, and Representative of the International Cooperation Department Samir Hasanli. The UK delegation was represented by Angela Walmsley, Head of the Border Service Department of Embassy, and Nurana Muradova, Head of the Embassy's Border Service Office.

The purpose of the meeting was to inform Angela Walmsley about the department's activities and to discuss potential areas of cooperation. The Azerbaijani representatives provided an overview of the country's strategy to combat human trafficking, highlighting key aspects such as the improvement of the normative legal framework and institutional mechanisms, preventive measures, and the criminal prosecution of offenders. They also elaborated on the social rehabilitation and protection of trafficking victims, including enhancements in assistance and protection for children who are victims, suspected victims, or potential victims of human trafficking. Furthermore, they discussed the development of cooperation, training for authorized representatives, and awareness measures.

Angela Walmsley noted that the Official Development Assistance fund of the British Government provides financial support to the USA, Africa, and the Eurasian region. She explained that this financial support aims to improve the collection of information from open resources for analytical, intelligence, targeting, search (including ships, railways, aircraft, and vehicles), and investigative and operational service agencies in these regions. She also mentioned that a project has been prepared and submitted to the Official Development Assistance Fund to study the requirements for the recognition of human trafficking victims by the police and NGOs. Additionally, she recommended the signing of a bilateral memorandum to ensure sustainable and productive cooperation.

Angela Walmsley expressed her gratitude to Police Major General Hazi Aslanov for the comprehensive information provided on the fight against human trafficking. She highly appreciated the efforts of the Government of Azerbaijan and noted that their experience could serve as a model in their service activities.

The meeting was conducted in a cordial and professional manner.