60 Egyptian Prosecutors Received IOM Training on Countering Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Egypt, together with the Office of the Prosecutor General (OPG) and the National Coordinating Committee on Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM & TIP), have completed trainings on counter trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in Cairo and Alexandria. The trainings were attended by 60 Egyptian Prosecutors.

The three-days long training – entitled “Strengthening the Capacities of Egyptian Prosecutors on Investigating and Prosecuting of the Crimes of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants”, have been delivered three times at two different locations. The first training was held in Cairo on 12-14 June 2021; while the second and the third were held on 15-17 June and 22-24 June 2021 in Alexandria.

Egypt has a key geo-political role in the region, both in migration from Sub-Saharan Africa and flows across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The country’s position in the region makes it a point of destination and transit for migrants, and a destination country for smugglers and traffickers seeking to take advantage of such vulnerable groups. In order to address these trends, IOM Egypt supports the Government of Egypt to build a whole-of-government approach to fair and protection-oriented migration management policies and practices. “I privilege the excellent relations we benefit from the OPG and the NCCPIM & TiP. I find it crucial to look at best ways for jointly ensuring that prosecution and protection are two aspects strictly interlinked”, reiterated Laurent de Boeck, Chief of Mission of the IOM in Egypt.

The trainings come in line with international and national legal frameworks including the Egyptian Counter Trafficking Law 64/2010 as well as Counter Smuggling Law 82/2016. The trainings have also included sessions on financial investigation, evidence collection, victim, and witness protection safeguard among other areas. Throughout the trainings, the prosecutors were also given the chance to discuss practical case studies and best practices from national and international contexts.

The trainings were made possible through the support offered by the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark under the project “Strengthening the Sphere of Protection For Victims of Trafficking and Vulnerable Migrants in Egypt while Preventing Irregular Migration and Human Trafficking – Phase II (SPHERE II)”, together with “Africa Regional Migration Programme (ARMP), funded by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, US Department of State; and the “Regional Development and Protection Programme (RDPP)”, which is funded by the European Union. 

The trainings contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 8 “Economic Growth and Decent Work”, specifically target 8.7 “End modern day slavery and human trafficking”, Goal 10 “Reduced Inequalities”, Goal 16 “Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions” and Goal 17 “Partnerships for the Goals”. The training series come also in-line with the objectives of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) Vision 2030, particularly its social justice pillar.