European Expert Workshop on Trafficking in Persons 2017 commences (with photo)
******************************************************************************
Over 120 participants from the Security Bureau, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department, the Department of Justice, the Labour Department and the Social Welfare Department are attending the two-day workshop. Four guest speakers from EU countries have been invited to speak at the workshop. The workshop provides a platform for participants and guest speakers to exchange views on various subjects in relation to the combating of trafficking in persons (TIP), including the recent trends in TIP, identification of TIP victims, investigation techniques, prosecution of TIP offences, assistance and protection for TIP victims and international co-operation in combating TIP.
The Permanent Secretary for Security, Mrs Marion Lai, gave opening remarks at the workshop. Mrs Lai thanked the Acting Head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao, Dr Jolita Pons, for co-organising the workshop with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. She also expressed gratitude to the four guest speakers for sharing their expert views on TIP with participants.
"The HKSAR Government attaches great importance to combating TIP. Our work is multifaceted, covering inter-departmental collaboration, victim identification, enforcement and prosecution, victim protection and assistance as well as partnership," Mrs Lai said. "We fully appreciate the importance of collaboration with non-governmental organisations, the business sector and the governments of other countries in combating TIP. In the coming years, we will continue to enhance our anti-TIP efforts, including strengthening our partnership with stakeholders and training for front-line staff."
The various government departments involved in combating TIP, including the Hong Kong Police Force, the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department, the Department of Justice, the Labour Department and the Social Welfare Department, have been providing anti-TIP training for their officers. In 2016, over 1 000 government officials received local or overseas anti-TIP training. Relevant departments have included the theme of TIP into their induction training for all officers.
For more information about the Government's initiatives to combat TIP, please visit the Security Bureau's homepage at www.sb.gov.hk/eng/special/bound/iimm.htm.
Ends/Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Issued at HKT 19:40
Issued at HKT 19:40
NNNN
Photo
