European Commission
Project location: Karachi (Sindh), Peshawar (NWFP), Quetta (Balochistan) and Rahim Yar Khan (Punjab).
Project start and end dates: April 2008 to August 2010
Project description
BEFARe launched the EC-funded AENEAS program C-PRISM in April 2008. Pakistan is not only considered a launching pad but is also being used as a transit point for illegal migration and human smuggling and trafficking to Central Asia, the Arab states and Europe.
The initiative is fighting against and is addressing the issue set in collaboration with ActionAid Pakistan. As Pakistan is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention on refugees, many migrants are subjected to illegal detentions, exploitation, extortion, violence and denial of human and legal rights. BEFARe staff is dealing with law enforcing agencies, recruitment agencies and other stakeholders to help mitigate human smuggling.
The project has successfully initiated and improved effectiveness of Community Organizations (COs) working on the project issue as well as interact with numerous government and non-government organizations. The direct beneficiaries are around 500 COs, 250 senior level members of the law enforcing agencies and relevant decision makers. A series of awareness raising workshops are regularly organized regarding human smuggling and trafficking. Similarly, meetings with legislators are also held for effective policy advocacy to restrain human trafficking and smuggling.
BEFARe is establishing linkages with relevant authorities and law enforcement agencies through National Coordinator of the National Action Plan and the National Rapportuer (Additional Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency- FIA). Community Organizations are also being capacitated to defend the rights of the vulnerable notably the women and children and are expected to share information among the community.
