GLO.ACT continues to support the development of a teaching curriculum on the specifics of cases rela
Kyiv, Ukraine - 17 September 2018 - Under the framework of the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants ( GLO.ACT) and in collaboration with the National School of Judges, UNODC organized its second two-day workshop from 2 to 3 July 2018 to develop a teaching curriculum on the specifics of cases related to trafficking in persons (TIP).
To date, the available curriculum does not have a strong focus on TIP. The hope is that this new curriculum will provide the necessary theoretical background whilst also making available practical exercises to future judges. This should make a significant difference to the work of future judges, since one of the reasons why court rulings often appear lenient is because judges do not have adequate training on how to interpret Article 149 of Ukraine's criminal code. In many TIP cases, due to a lack of training on TIP, judges do not fully appreciate the severity of the crime or the devastating impact it has on its victims.
During the workshop, acting judges from all over Ukraine, as well as former judges with extensive expertise in cases related to TIP and international partners, including IOM, worked on the further development of the training curriculum for future judges.
Discussions covered the following subjects:
Adjusting the curriculum to include the latest trends on TIP according to the latest statistics;
National and international legislation on TIP;
Types of TIP cases and modern trends;
Cases related to the conflict in the east of Ukraine;
Qualification of the TIP crimes (Article 149 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and differences to other crimes;
Practical aspects with regards to the application of Article 149 of the Criminal Code by the courts;
Features of the evidence in criminal cases on TIP;
Ethical aspects of the court hearings;
Damages and compensation, civil litigation in connection with the criminal case;
Sentencing of perpetrators.
During the meeting, Ms. Natalia Akhirska, Chief Scientific Officer of the Department of Scientific and Methodological support of the Higher Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine and the High Council of Justice of Ukraine said, "We are happy to work with GLO.ACT on an important crime such as TIP. According to the latest statistics available to us, we note that the number of cases is increasing, yet the number of sentences is reducing. The same seem to be happening with compensation for victims. This means, that there is a huge need for a comprehensive curriculum. One that is up-to-date also with regards to the impact the military conflict has on TIP and the increase in TIP for organ removal. This curriculum is really of immense importance and urgency for Ukraine."
Coming up, from 10-12 October 2018, will be a three-day workshop that enables us to test the curriculum with a group of thirty representatives from the National School of Judges. After their approval, the developers of the curriculum will include any additions and finalize it
The Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT) is a four-year (2015-2019), €11 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The project is being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). GLO.ACT aims to provide assistance to governmental authorities and civil society organizations across 13 strategically selected countries: Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, South Africa, Ukraine. It supports the development of more effective responses to trafficking and smuggling, including providing assistance to victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and direct support mechanisms.
For more information, please contact:
Olga Ilchenko, National Project Coordinator, UNODC
Email: olga.ilchenko@un.org
www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act/
glo.act@un.org
Twitter: @glo_act
