IOM has launched a counter-trafficking programme to support
government efforts to prosecute human traffickers and to protect
their victims.

The two-year project will provide training for government
officials, collect data and establish a protection and referral
system for trafficked victims. It will also raise public awareness
of trafficking through mass information campaigns.

The programme will be funded by the US State Department's Office
to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, and implemented by
IOM in partnership with the PNG Department of Justice and Attorney
General (DJAG), and with the support of the Immigration and
Citizenship Service (ICS) and other government and NGO
partners.

Papua New Guinea, which faces major challenges in policing its
extensive and remote land and sea borders, is currently debating a
draft Bill to amend its Criminal Code to criminalize people
smuggling and human trafficking.

At a regional workshop to discuss the Bill organized by IOM and
DJAG in Port Moresby this week, senior immigration officials from
the US and neighbouring Pacific countries analyzed the challenges
facing PNG, offered support and shared national best practices from
states participating in the Bali Process – the Asia-Pacific
regional grouping set up to combat people smuggling, trafficking in
persons and related transnational crime.

For more information, please contact:

Giuseppe Crocetti

IOM Papua New Guinea

Tel: +6753213655

E-mail: "mailto:gcrocetti@iom.int">gcrocetti@iom.int