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Key findings and outcomes of the Trans-regional workshop on enhancing co-operation in combating irregular migration and smuggling of migrants through the Western Balkans

Description

This report contains the main findings of the workshop, implemented in co-operation with the Government of Greece, Hellenic Presidency of the European Union, in Athens on 11-12 June 2014, represented the closing activity of this joint IOM-OSCE-UNODC project on Strengthening Understanding of the Link between Irregular Migration and Transnational Crimes Impacting Migrants in Irregular Situation

Summary

The workshop, implemented in co-operation with the Government of Greece, Hellenic Presidency of the European Union, in Athens on 11-12 June 2014, represented the closing activity of the IOM-OSCE-UNODC project “Strengthening Understanding of the Link between Irregular Migration and Transnational Crime Impacting Migrants in Irregular Situation”. The project aimed at bringing together migration authorities and criminal justice actors who deal with transnational crimes that impact on migrants in irregular situations (namely migrant smuggling and human trafficking) from countries of origin, transit and destination along the Eastern Mediterranean migration route. The workshop focused on the South Eastern Europe region and the Eastern Mediterranean migration route, based on the previous three phases of the project, which included a mapping seminar, a desk research and expert consultations. Participants shared their experience and exchanged their views on various approaches to increase the effectiveness of measures for combating irregular migration, related organized crime, and enhancing the protection of the human rights of migrants, particularly the most vulnerable.