IOM has started a series of refresher trainings on the prosecution
of human trafficking cases for some 600 Guatemalan judges.

The trainings, organized in coordination with the Judicial
Branch and the Secretariat against Sexual Violence, Exploitation
and Trafficking in Persons of the Vice President’s Office are
funded by the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) and the US Department of State Bureau of Population,
Refugees and Migration (PRM). 

A first group of 124 judges this week discussed topics including
relevant international and national counter-trafficking
legislation, national best practices, the role of evidence and the
use of victims as witnesses. 

Guatemala is a country of origin, transit and destination for
victims of trafficking.  Boys, girls, teenagers, women and men
are all victims. Sexual and labour exploitation, illicit adoptions,
child pornography and sex tourism are the most common forms of
human trafficking in Guatemala. 

According to a study released by the country’s Human
Rights Office, between 2000 and October 2011, the Attorney
General’s Office recorded 2,073 victims of trafficking, of
which 434 were identified in 2011. 

USAID also supports a broader IOM programme in Guatemala aimed
at reintegrating returnees, including victims of trafficking, which
provides vocational training, income generation, health, education
and counselling. 

PRM also supports a broader IOM regional programme Protection
and Assistance to Vulnerable Migrants in Mesoamerica, which
provides direct assistance to vulnerable migrants including victims
of trafficking, technical cooperation to governments, and
facilitates dialogue and exchange of best practices at the local,
national, regional and intraregional levels.  The project also
includes similar training for judges in all Central American
countries. 

Another USAID-funded IOM initiative launched in 2010, the
Guatemalan Repatriates Project, provides essential reintegration
support to returnees in order to achieve durable social and
economic reintegration into society. It includes a special
component to provide protection to victims of trafficking among the
returning population. 

IOM Guatemala is also overseeing the creation of a USAID- and
PRM-funded shelter, which will provide protection and direct
assistance to girls, teenagers and women victims of
trafficking.  

For more information, please contact: 

María del Rosario Calderón

IOM Guatemala

Tel. +502.231.40024

Email "mailto:mdrcalderon@iom.int">mdrcalderon@iom.int