Press Release: Iraq Finalizes Standard Operating Procedures for the Investigation of Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants

Combating trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants demands a comprehensive, integrated approach across the areas of prosecution, prevention, and protection. Iraq has taken a critical step forward in this regard, finalizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) designed to strengthen the investigation of such crimes.

Iraqi authorities have developed these SOPs, through partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union (EU) as part of the Global Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT), to equip officials with the essential tools to effectively investigate trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants' cases.

This achievement represents the culmination of years of close collaboration with the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, specifically the Directorate of Combating Organized Crime, the Directorate of Combating Human Trafficking, and the Training and Rehabilitation Directorate, with direct support from the Supreme Judicial Council and the Ministry of Justice in Baghdad.

During the official handover ceremony at the Training and Rehabilitation Directorate headquarters, the finalized SOPs were presented to relevant authorities, including the General Directors of the Training and Rehabilitation Department, the Director of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, and the Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Directorate.

“These SOPs will play a crucial role in the training programs for personnel involved in anti-human trafficking efforts, strengthening both national and international initiatives aimed at eradicating these grave issues. On this occasion, the Ministry of Interior expresses its sincere gratitude to UNODC and the European Union for their invaluable support in the development of the SOPs. Their close cooperation is instrumental in enhancing national capacity and response to Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM),” said Brigadier Mustafa Al-Yasiri, Director of Anti-Human Trafficking Directorate and Head of the Committee responsible for developing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

“The European Union commends the Government of Iraq in its pursuit to further enhance its national response to the trafficking of human beings and the smuggling of migrants, through its strong collaboration with UNODC. In the framework of the EU-funded GLO.ACT initiatives, the handover of the Standard Operating Procedures for investigating officers mark a vital step towards successful conviction of offenders, redressal of victim’s grievances and prevention of trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants”. Said Mr. Lennart Deridder, EU Head of Cooperation.

“The primary goal of these standards is to support law enforcement agencies and partners in the effective investigation of human trafficking and migrant smuggling cases, ensuring justice is served, perpetrators are convicted, and the rights of victims are protected,” said Mr. Ali El Bereir, Senior Programme Coordinator and Head of the UNODC Office in Iraq.

Representatives from UNODC and the EU reiterated their continued support for Iraq’s comprehensive efforts to strengthen its response to human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

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The SOPs were funded by the European Union, under the GLO.ACT (PROTECT) and GLO.ACT Asia and the Middle East initiatives. GLO.ACT (PROTECT) is a 3-year (2023-2026) intervention funded by the European Union, focusing on countering migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings (including children) in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. The project focuses on numerous aspects of migration, mobility and forced displacement. The Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants – Asia and the Middle East (GLO.ACT-Asia and the Middle East) was a four-year joint initiative by the European Union and UNODC being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan. GLO.ACT-Bangladesh was a parallel initiative also financed by the EU and implemented by UNODC and IOM.