Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 19 October 2023

IOM

PRESS RELEASE

NCHR and IOM Pakistan sign an MoU to strengthen cooperation on initiatives relating to promotion and protection of human rights of migrants

Islamabad, 18 October 2023: The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Pakistan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and collaboration on initiatives relating to promotion and protection of human rights of migrants, especially those in vulnerable situations.

The MoU signifies the commitment of both organizations to prioritize the well-being and human rights of migrants, recognizing that while migration in the context of globalization brings significant opportunities, it is critical to facilitate safe, orderly and regular movement of people. Under the MoU, NCHR and IOM Pakistan will engage specifically to implement joint activities aimed at generating evidence and research, improving awareness and outreach and provision of policy advice, in line with priorities of the Government of Pakistan.

Ms. Rabiya Javeri Agha, Chairperson NCHR, highlighting the lack of rights for migrants and the dangerous journeys they undertake stated, “The Greek migrants boat disaster was a heart-wrenching reminder of the risks people take in their desire to seek a better future. With over 2,000 lives lost in the Mediterranean in this year alone, irregular migration demands our immediate attention. Through collective efforts, we can work towards a safer and more compassionate approach to migration, one that upholds the well-being and dignity of those in search of a better future. The recently signed MoU between NCHR and IOM Pakistan will play a crucial role in advancing this goal.”

Expressing concerns about the situation of vulnerability and risks faced by migrants, in particular women and children, Ms. Mio Sato, Chief of Mission, IOM Pakistan shared that “The signing of this MoU comes extremely timely, noting the evolving migration trends and the dire need for evidence-based solutions. NCHR and IOM have been collaborating on various advocacy activities however having a formal partnership will allow us to do more within our respective mandates and ensure that our support is targeted towards those most in need”.

The cooperation framework and its objectives are overall aligned with the cross-cutting and interdependent guiding principles of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), that emphasizes on ensuring protection and fulfilment of the human rights of all migrants, regardless of their migration status and across all stages of the migration cycle.

About NCHR: NCHR is a federal statutory body set up under the NCHR Act XVI of 2012, in accordance with the Paris Principles and is an independent National Human Rights Institute (NHRI) set up in 2015, with the core functions such as including legal monitoring, policy advice, knowledge production and advocacy and awareness.

About IOM: With 175 member states and a presence in over 100 countries, the IOM is part of the United Nations System as the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.     

For more information:

Ms. Zunaira Inam, NCHR Pakistan

Email: zunaira@nchr.gov.pk

Ms. Suzana Paklar, Senior Programme Coordinator (Partnerships and Coordination), IOM Pakistan

Email: spaklar@iom.int

IOM Pakistan Empowers Stakeholders through Comprehensive Trainings to Combat Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling

Islamabad, Pakistan - September 25, 2023 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) Pakistan, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), has successfully conducted 15 comprehensive trainings across Pakistan to enhance the capacity of government and civil society stakeholders in their efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling by adopting a victim-centered approaches which prioritize the needs, rights, and well-being of victims and individuals at risk.

Since February 2023, IOM Pakistan trained over 386 participants from over 44 districts, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, Sialkot, Gujrat, Kasur and Jhelum. Adopting a structured approach, training sessions were jointly delivered by the FIA and targeted members of the Anti-Human Trafficking Committees notified at the national, provincial and district levels. The notification of the Anti-Human Trafficking Committees is a recent initiative of the Government of Pakistan that aims to strengthen coordination mechanisms amongst key stakeholders such as the District Administration Authorities, FIA, Police, Social Welfare Departments, Labor Departments, civil society actors.

The nationwide trainings spanning 10 months equipped key stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and skills to actively support efforts to combat human trafficking and protect individuals at risk, with a specific focus on prevention and safeguarding. Moreover, these sessions raised awareness among stakeholders about the challenges posed by human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Pakistan, fostering meaningful discussions on how to strengthen the roles of these groups in addressing these issues.

Rai Nasrullah, Deputy Director of the Anti-Human Smuggling (AHS) wing at FIA, commended IOM for its highly effective discussion-based approach. “IOM's trainings had played a pivotal role in enhancing the capacity of FIA officials, contributing significantly to their professional development and readiness for the task at hand”, he emphasized.

The success of these trainings highlights the commitment of IOM Pakistan and FIA to addressing the challenges of human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Pakistan through collaborative and coordinated efforts. By improving victim identification, screening, and referral procedures, IOM Pakistan aims to strengthen mechanisms to ensure safety and well-being of the most vulnerable.

The inputs gained from these trainings will be leveraged to develop and implement further comprehensive training programs. This ongoing commitment underscores the dedication of IOM Pakistan and FIA to continuously enhance the capacity of stakeholders and strengthen the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

The trainings were conducted with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Denmark, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia, and EU/ UNODC within framework of the GLO.ACT project.

For more information about IOM Pakistan, please visit www.iom.int/pakistan or contact iomislamabad@iom.int

Media Contact:

Ramsha Nadeem

Media & Communications Assistant

rnadeem@iom.int

+(92) 334 4563210