Cairo, 10 February 2019 –The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Interior, began a two-week training on passport examination, human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Cairo  for 18 Egyptian law enforcement officials. The training began with a week dedicated to counter smuggling and trafficking with special attention given to important practical topics pertaining to the investigation aspects. The second week is fully dedicated to passport examination.

This is the first round of a long-term training plan for law enforcement officials conducted by IOM and the Egyptian Ministry of Interior, which enhances officials’ technical skills and share best practices on identification and investigation of cases under Egypt’s counter smuggling and trafficking laws. This important cooperation with the Ministry of Interior is part of one of the four pillars of the Government of Egypt and IOM’s strategic engagement in combatting human trafficking and smuggling, through the prevention of cases, identification and prosecution of perpetrators, and protection of the migrants and victims of trafficking through an approach based on partnership between various stakeholders.

“Law enforcement officials represent a key frontline institution in the detection and investigation of human trafficking and migrant smuggling cases. Hence, it is fundamental to undertake regular participatory knowledge sharing mechanisms to strengthen and update the skills of key operators, necessary to tackle such crimes in different contexts” said Mr. Laurent De Boeck, IOM Egypt’s Chief of Mission

The training was organized with the support of the Governments of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands in support of the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely Goal 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies, Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. The training is also in line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS): Vision 2030, Social Justice pillar: “A society that provides protection, and support to marginalized and vulnerable groups”.

For more information, please contact Omar Awwad at IOM Egypt, Tel: +2 02 2736 5140/1 Email: oawwad@iom.int