Southern Mediterranean human trafficking conference concludes

AMMAN — A Jordanian delegation recently concluded its participation in the “Simulation of Victim’s Referral Process for Better Protection” regional conference for the southern Mediterranean, held by the Council of Europe in Malta titled: "Human Trafficking on Migration Routes".

The Kingdom’s delegation included representatives of various security agencies, media outlets and international organisations operating in Jordan, according to organisers.

Participants recommended strengthening regional cooperation and partnership in combating human trafficking by establishing a regional referral mechanism and intensifying joint programmes and activities. 

Recommendations also included the exchange of research, information, expertise and best practices, such as the establishment of a regional centre for prosecution and referral of human trafficking, under the name "Trafficking Pole".

The first regional simulation workshops in the Southern Mediterranean region saw the participation of more than 100 experts, including government representatives, judges, prosecutors, law enforcement personnel, in addition to civil society representatives and journalists from Algeria, Belgium, France, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Palestine, Portugal, Switzerland, Tunisia, the UK and Senegal, as well as the Council of Europe.

Workshops of the event focused on clarifying the differences between human trafficking and the crime of migrant smuggling, as well as highlighting the importance of a comprehensive approach that places victims at the centre of all stages of dealing with human trafficking.

As for media's role in dealing with human trafficking issues, participants called for enhancing awareness about the role of media in protecting people from human trafficking and preparing a guidebook for journalists to unify terms and concepts related to human trafficking.