Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is a heinous crime that violates basic human rights, undermines the rule of law, and most importantly the dignity and worth of a human person. It deprives people of their freedom and other basic human rights, particularly of women and children. It has been condemned as a threat to freedom and a growing transnational organized crime.
As we witnessed rapid development, increased commercial transactions, and the movement of our people in search of economic opportunities in the globalized world, TIP is a growing concern in Bhutan. Due to the emergence of this new crime, a need is felt to sensitize and train law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and judicial officers, who deal with human trafficking cases to ensure an expeditious justice delivery process.
The Bhutan National Legal Institute acknowledges the severity of transnational crime and its impact on the country. This concern for the country and the victims of the crime has precipitated this collaborative awareness training on Trafficking in Persons for judicial officials. The third phase of training on Trafficking in Persons for the judges and judicial officers is being conducted by the Department of Law and Order, MoHCA in collaboration with the Bhutan National Legal Institute, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) from 23–24 December 2022 in Phuentsholing.
The training aims to equip the judicial officers to establish a criminal justice system that respects and restores the human rights and needs of trafficked victims. It also aims to enhance the skills of the participants to adequately detect trafficking cases, identify trafficking victims and implement anti-trafficking legislation in line with national laws. A total of 36 participants are attending the training.