Institutions strengthen cooperation in the fight against human trafficking

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office (SPO) and the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue signed a Protocol on Cooperation in Combating Human Trafficking for the Purpose of Labor Exploitation in Montenegro.

As announced by the Ministry of the Interior, as part of the program "Strengthening Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking in Montenegro", in addition to the Protocol, Guidelines for the Identification and Resolution of Cases of Labor Exploitation were signed today.

This, as stated, further improved inter-institutional cooperation in the fight against this serious crime.

The protocol was signed by the Ministry of Interior, the State Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry with the support of the International Organization for Migration (UN IOM).

"These documents represent an important step towards improving prevention, early detection and more efficient processing of cases of trafficking in persons for the purpose of labor exploitation, as well as strengthening the system of protection and referral of victims," ​​the statement said.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said that the activity is being implemented within the framework of a project funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States Government, and implemented by the IOM, in close cooperation with relevant national institutions, with the aim of strengthening the capacity of the national system for responding to human trafficking in Montenegro.

As they stated, the signed Protocol defines cooperation mechanisms between competent institutions, including the exchange of information, the implementation of joint controls, the coordination of activities in criminal and misdemeanor proceedings, as well as improving procedures for identifying, referring and protecting victims of labor exploitation.

"The guidelines provide a practical framework for recognizing indicators of labor exploitation and acting in specific cases, in accordance with international standards and applicable national legislation," the statement added.

Supreme State Prosecutor Milorad Marković said that he expects to see results in the fight against human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation within a few months.

As he stated, the Protocol and Guidelines signed today are the basis for this, as well as potential challenges along the way, so that this important process towards improving security in Montenegro will gain additional importance.

According to Marković, the special value of the document lies in creating trust and operational channels between institutions that are the first to come into contact with potential victims in the field.

"Through joint action, exchange of information and clearly defined cooperation mechanisms, a strong message is sent that the state recognizes the risks of labor exploitation and is ready to react in a timely, decisive and in accordance with international human rights protection standards," said Marković.

Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue Naida Nišić, as reported, referred to the role of the Protocol in further strengthening the role of inspection in detecting acts of human trafficking through training and capacity building, making this area of ​​protection one of the focuses of all institutions and partners involved.

"The suppression of human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation measures the strength of institutions and the maturity of the rule of law, and it is our obligation to ensure early protection and consistent application of the law through coordinated action," added Nišić.

State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior Dragana Kažanegra Stanišić emphasized that the signed Protocol represents a strong operational framework for more efficient institutional action in the fight against human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation.

As she stated, by signing the Protocol on the detection and investigation of human trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation, they are further strengthening coordination and joint action in order to more effectively prevent, detect and suppress this form of crime.

"But also to ensure timely protection of potential and identified victims. It more clearly links competencies and cooperation - from prevention and information exchange, through joint controls and training, to providing support to victims," ​​added Kažanegra Stanišić.

She said that this year, the Police Directorate filed 24 criminal reports against 27 people for the crime of human trafficking, and that a total of 41 people were harmed, 30 of whom were minors.

The statement states that labor and sexual exploitation and forced begging are still recognized as dominant forms.

The Head of the IOM Mission in Montenegro, Vladimir Gjorgiev, thanked the parties involved for recognizing the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in the fight against human trafficking, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

He said that he believes that the Protocol will empower institutions to continue working on establishing the rule of law, freedom and security, which are an important foundation on Montenegro's strategic path towards the European Union and an important part of fulfilling the requirements of Chapters 23 and 24 in the coming period.

"We also hope that, after following the guidelines in the Protocol, Montenegro will be recognized in the next US State Department's Trafficking in Persons Report as one of the more advanced countries in the region when it comes to combating this crime," emphasized Gjorgiev.

The Ministry of Interior said that this activity is part of a broader effort to improve the national response to human trafficking through strengthening institutional cooperation, prevention, protection of victims, and effective prosecution of perpetrators, in accordance with international obligations and recommendations.