Algiers – The Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Center for Legal and Judicial Research, convened a series of study sessions this Sunday in Algiers, focusing on the “Legal Framework for Combating Human Trafficking and Standards for Victim Protection.” The initiative aims to enhance judicial performance in addressing this critical issue.
During the opening of the seminars, held at the Judges’ Residence, the Director-General of Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Mohamed Houdou, emphasized the state’s commitment to establishing a comprehensive legal and institutional system to combat human trafficking. He highlighted Law 23-04, enacted on May 7, 2023, as a cornerstone of this effort.
Mr. Houdou stated that the law “establishes strict measures to detect and combat this crime, ensure coordination between various stakeholders, and support the capabilities of actors in early detection, victim protection, and ensuring deterrent prosecution of perpetrators.”
He further noted that these sessions provide a platform for exchanging experiences, ideas, and in-depth discussions on the practical challenges encountered in handling human trafficking cases. These challenges span all stages, from crime detection and evidence gathering to prosecution, legal classification, judicial processing, and victim care. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of field interventions and coordination among different actors.
Mr. Houdou also recalled Algeria’s ratification of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Convention) and its supplementary protocol.
The Director-General of the Center for Legal and Judicial Research, Mr. Boualem Farahawi, explained that these sessions are part of the Ministry of Justice’s implementation of the action plan developed by the National Committee for the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons. The plan aims to “strengthen the capabilities of judges and conduct research in the field of human trafficking.”
Approximately 100 participants, including judges, police officers, members of the National Committee for the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons, experts, central administration officials, and researchers from the Center for Legal and Judicial Research, are participating in the sessions, which will continue until next Tuesday.
