The Arab Initiative to Build National Capacities to Combat Human Trafficking in Arab Countries

Under the patronage of Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser and in partnership with the Qatar Foundation to Combat Trafficking in Persons (QFCHT) through an in-kind contribution, the League of Arab States (LAS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Arab Initiative to Build National Capacities to Combat Human Trafficking in Arab Countries was launched in 2012 and aims to build national capacities in the 22 member countries/territories of the League of Arab States to effectively combat human trafficking, through technical assistance in (i ) establishing national and regional coalitions to combat human trafficking (ii) promoting the ratification and implementation of the Protocol for the Prevention, Suppression and Punishment of Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (Trafficking in Persons Protocol), (iii) strengthening the institutional and human system capacities of criminal justice systems, (iv) improving mechanisms for adequate identification, referral, support and protection of victims of trafficking, and (v) raising awareness of the crime and its devastating consequences on individuals and societies in general.

Since the launch of the “Arab Initiative to Build National Capacities to Combat Human Trafficking in Arab Countries” at the Forum on Trafficking in Persons held in Doha in January 2012 and in partnership with QFHCT and LAS, UNODC has organized sixteen strengthening activities capacities and approximately 800 law enforcement professionals, criminal justice practitioners, members of national anti-trafficking committees, legislators, social workers and media representatives from across the Arab region benefited from various specialized trainings in the fields related to combating human trafficking. In addition to capacity-building activities and in association with the LAS Unit on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, UNODC developed concepts and terms of procedure for national, subregional and regional networks to improve cooperation between different sectors/agencies/countries and ensure sustainability the results achieved by the initiative beyond its life cycle. Furthermore, several studies have been undertaken, some of which are ongoing, to review existing anti-trafficking legislation in the Arab region and to assess the capacities of service providers assisting victims and witnesses in order to bring the most useful good practices on victim care and protection and improving the legal and regulatory framework on combating human trafficking in the Arab region. Arab Initiative partners work closely with various specialized UN agencies and international organizations to take advantage of best practices, lessons learned, methodologies and available tools.

For more details about the initiative, please visit the following initiative website:
www.qatarfcht.com