Vientiane – On 31 May, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) hosted a workshop on Victim Identification and Assistance for 35 consular representatives from various embassies and honourary consulates accredited to Lao People’s Democratic Republic. This comprehensive initiative aims to enhance the capacities and resources of governments in Asia to manage complex migration flows, particularly in assisting migrants in vulnerable and crisis situations.  

The event, a first of its kind interactive engagement with the international community in the country, was organized with the primary goal of unifying efforts to combat trafficking in persons within the nation.  The training was specifically designed to familiarize consular officials with an understanding of the evolving human trafficking trends at regional and national level with specific focus on online scam center operations in Southeast Asia, legislative anti-trafficking and victim assistance with the rights-based framework.   

“A trailblazing initiative as it is a first time we brought together this set of stakeholders to examine this issue.” remarked Mr Bakhodir Burkhanov, the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Lao People’s Democratic Republic, acknowledging the IOM’s efforts. “The agenda offers an opportunity to share different experiences and examples to work through the complexities of trafficking in person.” he emphasized. 

This brought together experts from IOM missions in the Southeast Asia region, including Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Indonesia, to provide an overview of regional trafficking in persons trends related to labor migration. The session included people centered response mechanisms, Lao National Laws, and shared IOM best practices in victim identification procedures to ensure a humane, responsive, and victim-centric assistance process. 

“IOM, over the years, has been closely working with numerous key line ministries in assisting the country’s efforts to strengthen its anti-trafficking response.” said Ms Shareen Tuladhar, Chief of Mission, IOM Lao People’s Democratic Republic.  

“The assistance ranges from law and policy development, advocating for rights; protecting the physical, mental and social well-being of individuals and their communities, case management services, referral system strengthening, reintegration, income-generation for sustainable livelihood, capacity building and systems strengthening for government and non-government stakeholders, ethical recruitment, research and data collection, to direct victim assistance.” Shareen added.

This workshop is a key component of IOM's counter-trafficking initiatives, aiming to foster dialogue within the international community on the multifaceted issues surrounding trafficking in persons, serving as a platform to exchange experiences, address challenges, and share effective practices in victim identification and assistance. 

This training was supported by the U.S Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) 

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For more information, please contact:  

• Jaskiranjeet KAUR, Policy and Project Development Officer (jaskaur@iom.int) 
• Phouvith PHANTHAVONG, Project Assistant, Counter-Trafficking (pphanthavong@iom.int)
• Chanjaleurn Rasphone, Communications Assistant (crasphone@iom.int)