PHOTO: Participants during in the training
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- The National Judiciary Institute of Liberia in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice with support from the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) has concluded a three-day capacity building training on Human Trafficking in Gbarnga, Bong County.
IDLO is an inter-governmental organization that offers legal expertise, resources, tools and professional support to government, multilateral partners and civil society organizations.
The training which was held over the weekend brought together many judiciary actors and civil society organizations at a local hotel in the central city of Gbarnga.
Giving the purpose of the training, the Supervisor for IDLO Legal Specialist, Alvin K. Anderson, said the training is meant to empower and strengthen institutions capacity on the basis of human trafficking.
He said the gathering, in other word is intended to support the government of Liberia effort in increasing the knowledge and skills of Judges and magistrates as prosecutor’s to be effectly inform when it comes to prosecuting human trafficking cases in Liberia.
The initiative, according to him is the organization own way of buttressing national government and partners efforts in fighting Human Trafficking across the country.
According to him, the organization champion people-centered justice and promote the rule of law to advance sustainable development and help build more peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.
He said human trafficking has been wildly and locally practice in Liberia, noting that it is now time that everyone work together in finding solution to the crime or the practice.
Mr. Anderson believes that human trafficking can be prevented, stopped, and eradicated through public awareness, outreach, education and advocacy campaigns, enforcement of the law on human trafficking and the prosecution of cases.
He then recommitted his organization willingness in the fight against Human Trafficking in Liberia.
Also in remark, Cllr. Lafayette B. Gould Sr., Special Assistant to the Solicitor General of Liberia, who served as the general facilitator of the training stated that the training will help prosecutors or Justice actors, civil society actors in the 15 counties to fellow, investigate and prosecute those that will be found in the act of human trafficking.
Cllr. Gould further noted that the work of the team in these counties in the next few months will prove to the Liberian people and international partners how serious is the government of George Weah led administration in the war against Trafficking in Persons.
He maintained that human trafficking is not only done by foreigners but there are some Liberians who are involved into the harmful acts, something he said needs serious attention.
The participants extended commendations to the Organization and partners for organizing the training and promised to used the knowledge acquired wisely.
They further narrated that prior to the workshop, they were not up to the task when it comes to investigating human trafficking cases, but through the three-day workshop have now understand how to go about dealing with trafficking cases.
“We will like to use this opportunity to call on others local and international partners to continue to provide more supports to the government of Liberia particularly with training for LIS Officers, MOL Inspectors, LNP Officers, TIP case prosecutions, provide some logistics for borders patrols among others n order to combat this crime,” the participants said.