Final Training for Border Guard Officers Held Within AMBEL Project

On 15-16 September within the framework of EU/UNDP project “Supporting the Republic of Belarus in Addressing Irregular Migration and Promoting Human Rights of Vulnerable Migrants” was organized a final training on standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the identification and referral of victims of sexual and gender-based abuse and human trafficking among vulnerable migrants. The series of trainings consists of 8 trainings, 4 of which were conducted in 2015 and the rest 4 trainings – in 2016. During this period about 150 border guard officers were educated at the trainings.

The final training gathered representatives of the State Border Committee, IOM, UNHCR, non-governmental organizations, as well as national and international experts from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.

The main goal of the series of trainings tailored for border guard officers was to enhance knowledge and gain practical skills in the above-mentioned area.

During the event the participants got acquainted with international and national standards of work, best practices on counter-trafficking and combating gender-based abuse based in Belarus, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. Besides, experts for EU covered issues on migration crises and efforts taken to resolve it. The training included group exercises to put theoretical knowledge on identification of victims of human trafficking and gender-based abuse. The focus of the second day of training was on assistance to victims of trafficking and their safe return. Moreover, the participants were demonstrated a video guidance on SOPs, which was created jointly with IOM and the State Border Committee.

The SOPs were developed jointly with IOM and UNHCR within AMBEL project. At the moment SOPs are approved and endorsed by the State Border Committee. At the beginning of the year were published brochures with the detailed recommendations and models of work with foreign citizens suffered from human trafficking and sexual and gender-based abuse. All the materials were disseminated among border guard officers for further their use in their professional activities.