Good Practices and Challenges from the MENA Region The Case of Egypt

2007 the National Coordinating Committee on Combating and Preventing Human Trafficking in Egypt was created with a Prime Minister’s Decree. –Coordinates anti-human trafficking activities between 16 ministries. Background

2007 the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) created the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in –In cooperation with IOM, the NCCM opened a Regional Shelter for Recovery and Integration of Women and Girls who are victims of trafficking. –It also established a national toll-free 24 hr hotline to receive calls from trafficked persons “16021”. –In 2010 the Ministry of Health, NCCM, and IOM launched a Trafficking Victims Support Unit (TVSU) at the National Bank Hospital. It is one of the only medical rehab units in MENA. A very good model within and outside of the region. –In collaboration with IOM, the NCCM trains NGOs working in the field of human trafficking on “Identification, protection and treatment of VOT’s”.

In 2010 the Egyptian Parliament Issued the Human Trafficking Law 64/2010. –In cooperation with IOM, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecutor’s office and the Ministry of Interior have organized training on the law for over 1,000 law enforcement officers. –The Ministry of Justice & the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with IOM published guidelines on ‘Investigation and Prosecution of Trafficking in Persons and Treatment of Victims During Law Enforcement Proceedings.

2011 the National Center for Sociological and Criminological Studies issued the results of their research “Human Trafficking in the Egyptian Society”. –The National Center issued an Executive Summary of their findings outlining the 5 main forms of human trafficking in Egypt; 1) transactional marriages 2) child labour exploitation 3) trafficking in street children 4) sexual exploitation for the purpose of prostitution 5) trafficking in persons for the purpose of removal of organs (The study did not include forced domestic labour of nationals and trafficking in irregular migrants)

Protection of VOTs Article 22 of the Egyptian Human Trafficking Law 64/2010 “ The State shall guarantee the protection of the victim and shall work to create the appropriate conditions for his assistance, health, psychological, educational and social care; the rehabilitation and reintegration into society, within the framework of liberty and human dignity, as well as his return to his homeland in an expeditious and safe manner, if he was a foreigner or a non-permanent resident in the State, in accordance with the rules and procedures established by a decision of the Counsel of Ministers.

Current National Referral Mechanism in Support for TIP victims accredited by The National Coordinating Committee to combat and prevent Trafficking in Persons according to resolution 64/2010 National Council of Childhood and Motherhood Anti-Human Trafficking Unit ( Women & children ) Jan 2012

Civil Society organizati ons Internatio nal organizati on of immigratio n ministry of Health and population Health unit at the national bank hospital ministry of Justice Public prosecutio n Specialize d courts Ministry of Interior National Security department Criminal investigation department Police stations Anti-human trafficking unit at the ministry of interior Anti- human trafficking unit at the General Administration for Juvenile Welfare National council of childhood and motherho od Anti-human trafficking unit (women- children) Counseling line The National Coordinati ng Committe e to Combat and Prevent Trafficking in persons Partners of Current National Referral Mechanism in Support for TIP victims accredited by The National Coordinating Committee to combat and prevent Trafficking in Persons according to resolution 64/2010 The National Coordinating Committee Resolution: based on surveying The General Intelligence, Ministry of Interior “ National security Sector”, ministry of justice, “public prosecution” and Ministry of Defense, the following has been approved; Assigning the task of “victims of trafficking screening and Counseling“ to the Anti- human Trafficking unit in of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood in the organization of the work of the National Coordinating Committee. In coordination with specialized authorities, the anti-Human Trafficking unit at NCCM identifies the victims under it’s inherent right according to law.

Civil Society Organizatio ns International organization of immigration Via embassies delegations General Commission for Refugees Regional offices of the organization Health care unit for victims of trafficking at the National Bank Hospital Public prosecution Ministry of interior National security departmen t Contact points specified and agreed upon Anti-human trafficking unit “women- children” “ Counseling line Current National Referral Institutions in Support for TIP victims accredited by The National Coordinating Committee to combat and prevent Trafficking in Persons according to resolution 64/2010 Information about potential TIP victim are usually reported whether through the victim her/his self or by public to any of the institutions mentioned above

Current national referral Procedures in Support for TIP victims accredited by The National Coordinating Committee to combat and prevent Trafficking in Persons according to resolution 64/2010 Victims interview Victims screening according to the national screening mechanism and security considerations Victims Counseling Provision and informing of their own rights Based on the victim's desire/consent to cooperate with the authorities Report to the specialized contact points at the ministry of interior Victims referral to shelter or to the health care unit immediate and long-term services such as reintegration or voluntary returns coordination with the public prosecution to protect victims The National Coordinating Committee Resolution: based on surveying The General Intelligence, Ministry of Interior “ National security Sector”, ministry of justice, “public prosecution” and Ministry of Defense, the following has been approved; Assigning the task of “victims of trafficking screening and Counseling“ to the Anti- human Trafficking unit in of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood in the organization of the work of the National Coordinating Committee. In coordination with specialized authorities, the anti-Human Trafficking unit at NCCM identifies the victims under it’s inherent right according to law.

General Challenges Recent political developments; political instability and reshuffling of governments Traditional & cultural beliefs; obedience of elders, stigmas, etc.. Border management Lack of sufficient networking amongst agencies

Specific Challenges Documentary and 3 case studies