Burundi - IOM, UNICEF and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) are this week organizing a two and a half day counter-trafficking training for government officials in the Burundian capital Bujumbura.

The training, in close collaboration with the Burundian government, begins today and will address basic concepts of human trafficking, victim identification and investigation techniques.

It aims to help participants to understand the differences between trafficking and smuggling; to review international and national legal frameworks on human trafficking; to enhance victim identification skills; to present an overview of best practices on the treatment of victims; and to understand the specific nature of trafficking of children and how to respond to it.

Participants will also develop a plan of action to disseminate knowledge among their colleagues and collaborate in furthering efforts to combat human trafficking in Burundi.

The training is the first activity organized by a technical working group composed of focal points from Burundi’s Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Human Rights, Social Affairs and Gender, Ministry of External Relations and International Cooperation, IOM, OHCHR and UNICEF.

The working group aims to strengthen the effectiveness of government institutions and civil society to combat human trafficking in the areas of investigation, prevention, response, and protection.

Burundi is listed in the US State Department’s 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report as a Tier 3 country.

For further information please contact:

IOM Burundi: Kristina Mejo, Tel. +257 7125 6332, Email: kmejo@iom.int or David Hofmeijer, Tel: +257 75400445, Email: dhofmeijer@iom.int
UNICEF Burundi: Johary Randimbivololona, Tel: +257 7181 9178, Email:  jrandimbivololona@unicef.org
OHCHR Burundi: Nadine Mballa Wilson, Tel: +257 76 140 270, Email: nmballa@ohchr.org