July 2009
In late May and early June, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) conducted pilot training workshops in Ukraine, testing its recently completed trafficking in persons (TIP) training module. Ministry of Interior (MOI) regional investigators and Kyiv National University of Internal Affairs cadets attended the trainings on investigating TIP cases.
The workshops are part of ABA ROLI’s program to strengthen the MOI’s TIP investigation units—a program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. The program, which kicked off with the assessment of the investigation units’ capacity in 2008, aims to improve the investigation and prosecution of TIP cases in the country. With ABA ROLI’s technical support, a governmental working group, consisting practitioners from MOI departments and faculty from associated academies, was set up. The group developed investigation guidelines and an accompanying training module to improve coordination and communication mechanisms.
Vitaliy Mekhed, head of the MOI investigation department, said the new TIP curriculum and training module will assist his ministry to better investigate and prosecute TIP. He also said that the program will help in the preparation of more competent law enforcement officers.
The TIP guidebook provides unprecedented practical recommendations on investigating organ removal-and-sale-related TIP. It also addresses labor- and sexual exploitation-related TIP, as well as trafficking in children.
To learn more about our work in Ukraine, contact the ABA Rule of Law Initiative at <[email protected]>.