Security experts call for enhanced cross-sector role

International policing and security experts have called for enhanced cross-sector involvement to protect people from some of the world’s most vulnerable organised crimes like trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants.The experts’ call came yesterday in Doha at the opening of the Interpol Global Conference on Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants.The meeting, they said, will focus on the essential role of the public and private sectors in detecting and preventing crimes, reporting, disrupting and ultimately prosecuting those responsible for crimes which have no borders.At the two-day meeting the participants will explore emerging trends such as trafficking for forced criminality including cultivation of drugs or even organised pickpocketing among others which are reported in large numbers at major cities.The meeting will also focus on how the private sector is developing tools to help law enforcement in preventing trafficking and smuggling activities.Yesterday Qatar’s Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs HE Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimihighlighted the country’s efforts to act on local, regional and international levels.“Our collective efforts, however, will not be successful unless we addressed the root causes of the phenomenon, whether they are cultural, economic, political, ideological or social,” he said.Vice-President for the Americas of Interpol’s Executive Committee Todd Shean said: “While our focus will remain on law enforcement and prosecution, we must also strengthen our collective efforts to ensure that victims are protected throughout law enforcement and judicial processes. Only by co-ordinated efforts can we hope to develop concrete, sustainable actions.”Interpol Director for Organised and Emerging Crimes Paul Stanfield underlined the world police body’s long-standing commitment to tackling trafficking in human beings and the smuggling of migrants.“Interpol is a neutral and vital global platform where the world’s police and key stakeholders can converge to sharing best practices, assessments, and intelligence. Tackling the horrors of modern slavery requires a massive global effort, which Interpol is fiercely dedicated to,” said Stanfield.The senior official pointed to the recent success of Interpol’s Operation Epervier as an example of efficient cross-sector collaboration. The operation, which saw the rescue of 500 victims from sexual exploitation and forced labour, as well as the arrest of 40 suspected traffickers, was held simultaneously across five African countries and involved prosecutors, international organisations, social services and NGOs.Interpol also supports its global membership via its secure communications system known as I-24/7. This gives police real-time access to criminal databases containing millions of records on identity documents, biometrics.Its notices can also be used to alert member countries to fugitives, criminals, modus operandi or missing persons.