Intensifying the fight against illegal migration and organised cross-border crime

In light of Croatian accession to the EU on 1 July, BiH, with EU support, is intensifying the fight against illegal migration and organised cross-border crime, including trafficking in drugs, arms and human beings. As the implementation of proper migration management and integrated border management systems is becoming even more important for the security of the region, this project foresees a series of tailored trainings focusing on the fight against organised cross-border crimes for all law enforcement agencies.

Training on smuggling and trafficking in human beings was held on 3 – 7 June in the premises of the BiH Parliament Building in Sarajevo, organised by the EU funded project „EU Support to Law Enforcement“ and hosted by the BiH Ministry of Security. It represents one of the activities planned under the project’s Component II dealing with the fight against serious and organised crime. Experts from the Austrian Criminal Intelligence Service, together with a national expert from the BiH State Prosecutor’s Office, concentrated on the investigative aspect of the fight against human smuggling and trafficking, particularly on the use of special investigative measures, the sharing and exchanging of experiences and best practices. Participants used the forum to discuss the possibilities for international police co-operation and co-ordination with other key international agencies involved in this sector.

The project is funded by the EU to the amount of 7 Mill Euros from IPA 2010, and will continue until April 2014. The project consortium partners include the Ministries of Interior of Austria, Slovenia, Hungary and the Land Brandenburg of the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, and Transparency nternational BiH (as an Associate). Beneficiary partners arethe BiH law enforcement agencies at all levels.

Europa.ba