IOM, in partnership with the Libyan Ministry of Interior, the
Waatasimu Charity Association and the United States Embassy in
Tripoli, is carrying out two follow-up human trafficking awareness
workshops for 50 law enforcement officials and members of charity
associations.

The workshops, which began at the weekend, represent a follow-up
to the first series of seminars held in May 2007 focusing on
international migration law, standards and principles of
international protection and on best practices in the fields of
victim identification and assistance. Participants this time are
called to provide feedback on their field experience and
perceptions following the May workshops as well as to indicate
future steps on the issue.

This latest initiative, part of IOM's long-term capacity
building programmes in Libya, aims to support local strategies to
effectively fight human trafficking and to raise awareness of the
trafficking phenomenon among the general public.

With extensive desert and maritime borders and wealth, Libya has
been a preferred destination or transit country for many smuggled
and trafficked migrants.

IOM has been operational in Libya since it opened an office in
Tripoli in April 2006.

For further information please contact:

Laurence Hart

IOM Tripoli

Tel: +218 91 3832596

E-mail: "mailto:lhart@iom.int">lhart@iom.int