Police investigators are undergoing a workshop aimed at identifying Human Trafficking cases in Papua New Guinea, and how to prosecute the matter in court.
The three-day workshop is being facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration, or IOM, and involves over 15 investigators.
The workshop follows the increase in abuse of human rights cases in Papua New Guinea.
The participants include officers from the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, Prosecutors from Boroko Command, and Criminal Investigation Division.
The workshop aims to enhance the officers’ understanding on how to detect, assess and prosecute Human Trafficking cases, and the safe return of the victims.
Human Trafficking is the forceful transportation of a person to another place, for another person’s benefit. It can occur domestically or internationally.
Research conducted by U.N. agencies, reveals that over 12 million people have been traded across international borders, for cheap labour and forced prostitution. It is estimated that 80% of these victims are women and children.
Though it is not common in PNG, there are reports of human trafficking, and people smuggling.
Reports produced by provincial administrations from Western and West Sepik suggest that the lack of border patrols by government agencies, is allowing transnational crimes to occur.
The workshop hopes to assist investigators identify elements of human trafficking and guide prosecutors to convict the accused in a Court of Law.
