Somalia - Over the past three months, IOM, with funding from the European Union and the Japanese Government, has trained 60 Puntland police officers from Garowe, Galkayo and Bossaso in combating human trafficking and smuggling, human trafficking investigation skills and case management.

Puntland is a migrant transit point where human trafficking has been detected and investigated, resulting in victims being rescued by police.

The main aim of the training was to improve investigation skills to ensure effective case management. Better investigation skills are needed to ensure that cases of trafficking are well managed, before being referred to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution.

The training was conducted by a human trafficking investigation expert, seconded to the Office of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The expert also made recommendations on the needs of the three counter trafficking units, which were established with IOM’s support. 

IOM is also conducting complementary trainings for prosecutors. The trainings focus on understanding human trafficking as a crime and violation of human rights, counter trafficking and development of the human trafficking legislative framework. This ensures cases investigated by the police and referred to prosecutors are well managed, and human trafficking court hearings and case verdicts meet international standards.

IOM Somalia Chief of Mission Gerard Waite said: “Strengthening the capacity of the police to understand human trafficking, detect, respond, investigate and manage trafficking cases is a requirement to ensure vulnerable populations are protected from exploitation and abuse by traffickers.”

For further information, please contact Julia Hartlieb at IOM Somalia, Tel: + 254 731 988 846, Email: jhartlieb@iom.int