TIRANA, Jan 19/ATA/- Preventing and enhancing pro-active criminal investigations are a priority of the Albania Ministry of Interior for 2020 in the fight against human trafficking, the Deputy Minister of Interior and Head of the Office of the National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator (ONAC), Rovena Voda told the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, ATA.
In her remarks, Voda emphasized that, “the expectations in 2020 in the fight against human trafficking are high.”
“Implementation of the new national action plan for combating trafficking in human beings has just begun. We have just created the new structure, the National Referral Mechanism Advisory Board, which consists of former victims of reintegration trafficking who provide their consultancy, making their voice heard to orient our anti-trafficking policies,” Voda said.
“According to the annual Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report), published by the United States Department of State, Albania remained on Tier 2 concerning the fight against human trafficking,” Voda said.
“The government demonstrated increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period; therefore Albania remained on Tier 2. The government increased funding for victim protection, and identified and assisted more victims. The government, in cooperation with NGOs, reactivated mobile identification units in three regions and strengthened child protection within the criminal justice system,” she added.
“This is a relatively good level, but our ambition is to move to the best level. The goal of the Albanian Government is the modernization of the State Police and the strengthening of special forces units, as be part of the new structure of the State Police in the fight against organized crime. The National Bureau of Investigation, Prosecutor’s Office will also have a major impact on the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK) and vetting process,”Deputy Minister of Interior Voda stressed.//a.i/
