IOM Zambia is conducting a training of trainers for law enforcement
instructors at the Lilayi Police Training College in Lusaka,
Zambia.

The five-day training, which concludes today, aims to provide
officers with the necessary skills to train others on the practical
implementation of the law to fight human trafficking.

In his welcome remarks, Rodney Mukuka, Officer in Charge of Law
and Police Duties at Lilayi Police Training College, noted that
"This training could not have come at a better time, as suspected
cases of human trafficking are on the rise and it is essential that
officers know how to deal with such cases."

Following the initial training, IOM will assist in finalising a
comprehensive curriculum to be used by immigration and police
training officers in conducting counter-trafficking trainings for
new recruits and existing officers.

The curriculum includes case studies and practical exercises,
taking into account lessons learnt since the new law has gone into
effect, to produce a relevant and user friendly training aide which
will help law enforcement agencies to adequately respond to human
trafficking in Zambia.

According to Andrew Choga, IOM Zambia's Chief of Mission,
"Zambia is a source, transit and destination country for human
trafficking. The Government has recently noted an increase in the
number of trafficked persons from the Horn of Africa being
intercepted in the country – usually on their way to South
Africa. IOM Zambia is working closely with the Ministry of Home
Affairs to assist them to respond to this worrying trend."

In December 2008, Zambia passed its first anti-trafficking
legislation. However, little formal training has been undertaken
until now to help the police implement the law. Funding for this
project was provided by the Department of State's Office to Monitor
and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

For more information please contact:

Katy Barwise

IOM Zambia

Tel: + 260 (0) 97 807 0356

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