IOM in collaboration with MoI organises course
KUWAIT CITY, March 6: Interior Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah on Sunday inaugurated a training course on the protection of human trafficking victims and investigation of those involved in this illegal act, which was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Interior Ministry, at the United Nations Building in Mishref.
In her opening remarks, Director of IOM in Kuwait Eman Eraqat said the course focuses on many things. She stated it is an opportunity for the officers to understand regulations governing illegal immigration in detail. She also appreciated the determination of the interior minister to enhance the capabilities of the officers to enable them to succeed in their national assignment. She declared the course will complement others that the officers had earlier taken, so they can use their expertise to protect human trafficking victims and prosecute human traffickers appropriately.
Meanwhile, Assistant Undersecretary for Criminal Security Affairs Major General Abdul-Hamid Al-Awadhi disclosed that Kuwait is concerned about the need to protect human dignity. He pointed out the human resources are the real wealth of a nation, so the country does not relent in its efforts to lay down solid regulations to protect human rights and wipe out all illegal activities. He informed the government has been issuing a series of rules and regulations in this regard. He declared the ministry believes in collaborative efforts with local and international organizations, especially the IOM, on joint actions to fight human trafficking.
Moreover, UN Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Dr Adam Abdul-Moula described the involvement in human trafficking as a seriously organized offence, which should attract stiff punishment, but it is difficult for governments of all countries to control the crime. He consider the fear of the victims to reveal personalities behind the business or even stand as witnesses against them before the police and law courts a major stumbling block to effective prosecution. He added the laws governing prosecution in many countries do not include necessary provisions to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
Director of the Directorate General of the Training Department Major General Abdul-Hamid Al-Sammak affirmed the training course is the outcome of the determination of the international organizations and relevant Kuwaiti authorities to exert concerted efforts in waging war against human trafficking. He explained the trainees are different from the security agents for all institutions to have fair share of the benefits from the training.
According to Director General of the Immigration Department Major General Kamil Al-Awadhi, the government has never relented in its efforts to protect expatriate workers. He cited the recent Amiri amnesty, through which the government allows residency law violators to leave the country or correct their status within a specific period without payment of fines or prosecution, as a sign of deep concern for the expatriates' plight.
© Arab Times 2011
