Viet Nam, UK foster cooperation in human trafficking prevention
VGP - An agreement on cooperation in the prevention and combating of human trafficking between the Border Guard Command, under the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense and the British Home Office International Operation was signed in Ha Noi, on January 18.
Commander of the Border Guard Command Le Duc Thai (R) and Head of Home Office International Operation of the UK's Home Office Victoria Pullen sign the agreement, Ha Noi, January 18, 2024 - Photo: VNA
Under the agreement, the two sides will increase information exchange and cooperate in detecting, preventing, investigating, and handling drug crimes.
Both side will join hands to verify, rescue, and support victims in specialized projects and cases; exchange experiences in human trafficking prevention and combat; and provide support in training and capacity building in human trafficking prevention and control, particularly improving English proficiency for border guard officers.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Commander of the Border Guard Command Le Duc Thai emphasized that the event marked a new, practical, and effective development step in international cooperation between the two agencies in implementing the bilateral agreement between the governments of the two countries on human trafficking prevention and control.
Since 2021, the two agencies have implemented many cooperative activities in the field.
In 2023, Viet Nam's border guards conducted communication activities that reached 700,000 people, detected, prevented, and handled 1,604 cases with 66,621 people involved in illegally entering and exiting the country, many of whom are at high risk of becoming victims of human trafficking rings.
The force also arrested and handled 103 cases with 92 people; and rescued, received, supported, and transferred 235 victims and suspected victims.
The border guards coordinated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UK Embassy in Viet Nam, and the Blue Dragon Children's Foundation to organize five in-depth training classes on human trafficking prevention and control for 180 officers and three interdisciplinary seminars to improve capacity./.
