Enhancing the Government’s Counter Trafficking Response and Improving the protection of Victims of Trafficking and Witnesses in the Republic of Moldova

In line with the objectives of the Moldovan Government to combat trafficking in persons (TiP), this project aims to contribute to the enhancement of the government’s efforts in preventing and countering TiP crimes and securing the protection of victims of trafficking (VoTs) and witnesses of this crime. The project will do so by:

1. Bringing the capacities of the Border Police in line with the objectives of the 2012 Law on the Border Police. Through this project, will be created an e-learning module and a series of capacity building activities on countering TiP and related crimes will be conducted. The set of activities implemented under this component is expected to result in a better identification of VoTs and improved investigative and prosecutorial capacities.
2. In addition to that, IOM will continue to strengthen the capacities of judges and prosecutors in the field of investigation and prosecution of TiP and related crimes, as well as development of anti-trafficking policies. The project will enhance the skills of lawyers in providing state-guaranteed legal aid in counselling and representing VoTs in trafficking and related cases. Moreover, under this project, IOM will improve the skills of the Witness Protection Division of the Ministry of Interior Affairs in efficiently precluding the intimidation and threatening of VoTs and witnesses within criminal proceedings in TiP cases. This is expected to result in a better respect of VoT rights within criminal proceedings.
3. This project will improve the skills of the Permanent Secretariat in evaluating its efficiency in monitoring and coordination of national policies. It will do so by strengthening the Secretariat’s coordination efforts with the local anti-trafficking actors, who often lack the skills, leadership, and knowledge necessary for an efficient response to the local challenges. This will lead to better-quality policy making and implementation.
4. In addition to that, IOM will conduct a nation-wide awareness raising campaign on the anti-trafficking hot line (0 800 77777) operated by La Strada – Moldovan NGO.

Duration: 

April 22, 2018 to April 21, 2020

Donor: 

US Department of State

Partners: 

Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Moldova; Permanent Secretariat to the National Committee for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings; National Institute of Justice; General Prosecutor’s Office; National Legal Aid Council; Centre for Combatting Trafficking in Persons; Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection; La Strada (NGO).

Beneficiaries: 

Border Police Department, National Border Police College and the Witness Protection Division of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Moldova; Permanent Secretariat to the National Committee for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings; General Prosecutor’s Office; judges and public lawyers, victims of trafficking as indirect beneficiaries, La Strada (NGO).

Estimated budget: 

400,000 USD