Addis Ababa - Today (16 October 2019) the UN Migration Agency ( IOM) in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia organized a one day sensitization training on “international and local aspects of crimes related to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants and refugees” for members of three dedicated parliamentary standing committees in Addis Ababa.

The three standing committees that participated in the session are from Foreign and Peace Affairs, Women Youth and Social Affairs, and Law and Justice Affairs.

The session, which was opened by the Deputy Attorney General of the FDRE, Dr. Gedion Timotiwos, stressed that migration is a reality in the world, which brings both negative and positive impacts to Ethiopia.

“Trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants are the major challenges we face now. These challenges demand a coordinated effort and comprehensive response to mitigate them,” he said.

He called on the members of parliament to assist by increasing efforts to prevent the problem in their constituencies.

The training which started by discussing the terminologies and elements of trafficking and smuggling at global, regional and country contexts also looked at overseas recruitment practices and the opportunities and challenges they raise for Ethiopia.

In her closing remarks, the Acting Head of the National Anti-trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants Taskforce, Ms. Fetiya Seid, mentioned that there are major national efforts and coordination mechanisms created to curb the problem in Ethiopia.

She also stressed that the parliamentarian’s participation in the training was strategic since they have the means to reach out to the executive branch of Government.

During the session, IOM highlighted that Ethiopia as a source and transit country to migrants, and a destination to hundreds of thousands of refugees, needs to have a comprehensive policy framework which addresses the challenges and maximize benefits of migration.

“The question is no longer whether to prevent migration or not, but rather how to manage it effectively so as to enhance its positive aspects and reduce its negative impacts,” Said Mr. Malambo Moonga, the IOM Ethiopia Migration Management Unit Program Head.  

Participants of the training, on their part, appreciated the content of the presentations and referred to the session as, “an eye opener”.

The members also stated that the problem of irregular migration is one that they will raise awareness with their respective constituencies when they go on the summer break.

They also expressed a commitment to work hard to bring smugglers to account for their actions.

The members also suggested that task forces that are set up at Federal, Regional and Zonal levels should cascade the responsibility down to the district and grassroots levels.

The training was made possible through the financial support from the European Union.

For more information, please contact Alemayehu Seifeselassie at IOM Ethiopia, Tel: +251 11 6611117 (Ext. 1455), Mobile: +251 91 163 9082, Email: salemayehu@iom.int