2006 Press Releases
Project “Investigating and Prosecuting Trafficking in Persons Cases” will take place from May 23 to May 26
Riga, May 19, 2006. – The educational project on human trafficking issues for Latvian law enforcement specialists and judges will take place from May 23 to May 26. The project is funded by the U.S. government and supported by the Latvian Ministry of Interior and other agencies of the Government of Latvia.
As Latvia is a source and transit country for victims of human trafficking and investigations into trafficking related crimes become more complex, the main goal of the project is to educate law enforcement specialists about the current investigation and prosecution techniques of trafficking crimes and to promote cooperation and dialogue among law enforcement officials and judges.
The training team from the U.S. includes law enforcement specialists from various agencies at the U.S. Department of Justice, such as a representative from Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, a representative from the Victim Witness Assistance Unit, and others. More than 100 Latvian police officers, prosecutors, and judges from all around Latvia will have an opportunity to benefit from this training. The first training session will take place on May 23 in Daugavpils. On May 24 and May 25 the training sessions will be held in Riga, and the final session will take place on May 26 in Liepaja.
This project continues the initiative of the U.S. government to support the fight against trafficking in persons. Last year another project called “Training of Judges and Prosecutors on Legal and Psychological Issues of Human Trafficking” focusing on raising awareness of the severe nature of human trafficking was concluded.
More information about other anti-trafficking projects supported by the U.S. government in Latvia can be found in the home page of the U.S. Embassy in Riga at www.usembassy.lv.
For further information please contact the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Riga by phone at 703 2153, or by e-mail at pas@usembassy.lv
U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Smilšu iela 7
Rīga, LV 1050
Phone: 371 750-9022
Internet: www.usembassy.lv
Media specialist’s e-mail: ruklisk@state.gov