Mauritius - IOM Mauritius, in partnership with UNODC and Mauritius’ Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions organized a US-funded training on combating human trafficking on 27 and 28 January in Port Louis.

Some 25 participants included representatives of the Mauritian Police Force, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Ministry of Labour and Employment, and Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare.

The training focused on victim identification, investigation and prosecution. It also discussed ways to improve coordination between government stakeholders involved in counter-trafficking activities.

Director of Public Prosecutions Satyajit Boolell opened the training, noting that are many challenges in addressing human trafficking in Mauritius. They include the need to better protect the victims and to prosecute perpetrators.

US Ambassador in Mauritius Shari Villarosa highlighted the vulnerability of minors working in the sex trade, as well as migrant workers in the textile industry.

Mauritius is a source, transit, and destination country for trafficked men, women, and children. But the government is making significant efforts to comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. A strong commitment from all stakeholders is highly needed to improve the situation.

IOM Mauritius Head of Office Timon Van Lidth said: “We need as much as possible to join our competencies, resources and efforts in order to combat human trafficking effectively. The very close collaboration that has led to this training is a good example of how we can work and achieve positive results together.”

For more information, please contact Timon Van Lidth at IOM Mauritius, Tel: +230 52 54 23 38, Email: tvanlidth@iom.int or Yitna Getachew at the IOM Regional Office for Southern Africa, Tel: +27 82 313 03 33, Email: ygetachew@iom.int