Baku - On 30 April-1 May 2019 IOM organized a two-day workshop on International Migration Law (IML) in Baku, Azerbaijan. This event is held in the framework of the ‘Enhancing Cooperation Measures to Effectively Combat Trafficking in Persons through Capacity Building and Technical Assistance in Azerbaijan (ECMCT) – Phase VI’, project implemented by IOM Azerbaijan in cooperation with the relevant state institutions of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The project is funded by the US Department of State - Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

Mr. Elchin Khalafov, the Rector of Justice Academy, Mr. Vladimir Gjorgjiev, Chief of Mission IOM Azerbaijan and Ms. Christine Singh, a Political Specialist of USA Embassy delivered opening remarks.

Mr. Khalafov appreciated the IOM’s contribution to the formation of a comprehensive legal basis for combating trafficking of human being in the country, noting through the organization’s projects staff of trainers for local judges and attorneys were formed.

Ms. Christine Singh said that United States pays great importance to cooperation with the local government institutions of Azerbaijan which occupies a very important geographical and political location at the intersection of east and west, and overall objective of this project is to assist the government in developing migration policies and legislation that conform to International Migration Law (IML) in order to manage migration and combat human trafficking more effectively and in a manner consistent with international law.

Mr. Vladimir Gjorgjiev said that IOM carries out training and capacity building workshops on broader  migration legislation aiming at supporting effectiveness of the local legislation and bringing it more in line with international standards. In his speech he focused on the rights of migrants and responsibilities of governments. “Laws were created by human beings and are implemented by human beings. Let’s not forget that migrants are also humans and the same legal standards should apply for them,” said Gjorgjiev.

In total 30 representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Justice Academy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, State Migration Service, Bar Association, State Committee on Affairs with Diaspora along with 10 judges, attorneys, foreign experts with the experience in the considered field are presented at the workshop which covers the topics such as the international legal norms in regulating migration, set of international rules and principles governing the movement of people between states and the legal status of migrants in host states. The workshop provides a forum for relevant state agency representatives to discuss and broaden their knowledge and network in the international migration law.

ECMCT project seeks to continue to assist the government of Azerbaijan’s response in combating trafficking in persons and consequently, transnational organized crime and to improve protection mechanisms in providing vulnerable migrants as well as victims/potential victims of trafficking with appropriate assistance services. ECMCT – Phase VI will contribute to the enhancement of judicial capacity to provide better protection of and assistance to migrants through the development and institutionalization of the International Migration Law course programmewithin the Justice Academy of the Ministry of Justice.