IOM and the OAS/Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism are this
week holding a workshop for government officials from 14 Caribbean
nations.



During the three-day workshop, IOM and international experts will
share their knowledge and provide training to enhance migration
officials’ ability to detect and prevent the use of
fraudulent and counterfeit travel documents, foster regional and
international cooperation and exchange of information, and
strengthen overall security while facilitating legitimate transit
and travel throughout the region.



“Over the last decades, the notion of security and the nature
of security threats have broadened as challenges to both have
become more complex. The current international climate and the
increasing threat and mobility of international terrorism, has put
state security concerns at the forefront of the discussion on the
international movement of persons. With national economies
depending on the brisk movement of tourism and trade, states need
to ensure that their border security will not be compromised while
facilitating legitimate travel,” said Nidia Casati, IOM
Senior Migration Advisor in Washington.



The Cricket World Cup, scheduled for early 2007, will significantly
increase movements of persons in the region. The host countries
expect some 100,000 visitors during the sporting event. For small
island nations with limited manpower and resources, expediting the
entry and exit of legitimate visitors while at the same time
keeping vigilant for anyone posing a threat to their security, will
be a major challenge.



The organizers of the workshop will also provide an overview of the
need to upgrade the security features of national passports and ID
documents, including but not limited to, biometric identifiers, to
make it difficult to forge and/or alter documents.



The participating countries will be encouraged to promptly
implement the ICAO Minimum Security Standards for Handling and
Issuance of Passports to improve the reliability and effectiveness
of the process, while further reducing the potential for misuse of
legitimate travel documents for criminal purposes. The sessions
will also include discussions on the need to promptly report lost
and stolen documents to Interpol’s Automated Search
Facility/Stolen Travel Document Database, to ensure that such
documents will not be used by others.



Current border and travel document security/issuance systems differ
widely within the participating countries as does the technology
available to detect and deter incidences of identity fraud
(impostors traveling with valid passports/visas) or
altered/fraudulent documents.



The trainers will present an overview of common immigration
standards in the areas of pre-arrival, entry, stay and departure
and effective inspection and examination of travel documents at
points of entry.



For more information contact:



Niurka Piñeiro

IOM Washington

Tel: 1.202.862.1826 ext. 225

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