KABUL (SW): Afghanistan has launched its first national referral network of NGOs and media to combat trafficking in persons, today in Kabul.
Afghanistan Network for Combating Trafficking in Persons (ANTCIP) is part of a multi-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded activity, implemented by the U.N. International Organization for Migration (IOM) to strengthen the country’s capacity to more effectively respond to trafficking in persons.
At the launching event, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan said, “The Afghan government is committed to counter human trafficking; there is still much to be done. It is crucial now more than ever to cooperate, coordinate, and share responsibility in the fight against human trafficking.” He emphasized the need for all stakeholders responding to human trafficking in Afghanistan to work together to build and sustain the referral network. He added that the establishment of a network to combat human trafficking is the beginning of national mobilization in the fight against the human trafficking in the country.
According to CEO Abdullah, human traffickers have been deceiving the people. He added that the leadership of this network is experienced in different areas which raise the hopes for the success of this network.
Abdul Basir Anwar, Justice Minister and Chairman of the Technical High Commission for ANTCIP, said the network was created with the membership of 16 government and nongovernmental organizations.
According to the Justice Minister, human trafficking along with other illegal income channels has become a source of income for terrorists.
On the other hand, Sarah Craggs, the Deputy Chief of Mission of International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Afghanistan said that the network has trained more than 1500 women and men, and 5 million other people have received the information regarding the human trafficking.
According to Craggs, there are groups that try to exploit and smuggle returning immigrants from Iran and Pakistan, and ANTCIP will be active in preventing the trafficking and protecting the victims of human trafficking.
‘Afghanistan is a transit point for human trafficking’, said the US Ambassador to Afghanistan, John Bass. He added that the United States is committed to supporting the ANTCIP in Afghanistan.
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