Baku - On 3-4 April 2019, a two-day international workshop on “Role of the Criminal Prosecution Authorities in Combating Human Trafficking” is organized in Baku. The event is held within the framework of the project Enhancement of National Capacities to Combat Human Trafficking in Azerbaijan (ENCT) funded by the European Union and co-funded by IOM Development Fund. 

The International workshop will provide 45 national and international participants experts from Eastern Partnership countries with the opportunity to exchange experiences, approaches and best practices on prosecution of Trafficking in Human Beings cases as well as challenges from the different perspectives of countries of origin, destination and transit, and to learn from EU experts including those of the European Court of Human Rights case-law analysis, and methodologies.

Furthermore, the workshop aims to contribute to the establishment of a network between participants to nurture international cooperation and exchange of information in combating human trafficking.Mr. Heydar Heydarov, the Chief of the Main Department on Combating Human Trafficking of Ministry of Interior, Mr. Elchin Khalafov, the Rector of Justice Academy, Ms. Simona Gatti, Minister Counsellor of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan and Mr. Vladimir Gjorgjiev, the Chief of IOM’s Mission in Azerbaijan attended the opening of the event Mr. Heydar Heydarov in his speech touched upon measures taken within the Government of Azerbaijan – Ministry of Internal Affairs to combat human trafficking and provided the recent statistics on human trafficking cases.

Mr. Heydarov noted that from 2005 to date in Azerbaijan there are 1413 trafficking in human beings crimes registered, 919 victims of trafficking are identified and 550 traffickers are prosecuted. He emphasized the importance of such an international event in enhancing the existing cooperation relations between the countries in combating human trafficking.Ms. Simona Gatti, Minister Counsellor of the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan highlighted the role and commitment of the European Union in fighting trafficking in human beings. 

Ms. Gatti appreciated the efforts of Azerbaijani government that has taken important measures in the area of combating human trafficking and pointed out the fields that require further assistance and improvements, particularly from prosecution authorities.

Mr. Vladimir Gjorgjiev, Chief of IOM’s Mission in Azerbaijan said that the international workshop is part of the ENCT Project, which aim is to assist the Government of Azerbaijan’s response to human trafficking through capacity building to support the interpretation and application of legal provisions related to combating human trafficking, human rights and fundamental freedoms in line with European Law and international standards.

He expressed his assurance that the two-day workshop, with the participation of high-level international experts, would contribute to the work of the criminal prosecution authorities and enhance their capacity in line with the strategy of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership in countering human trafficking. It should  mentioned that the overall objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of the Government of Azerbaijan in effectively countering the human trafficking and protecting victims of human trafficking.