The Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls - UNFPA

IPTF operates geographically through seven regions. In each, there is a
special <strong>of</strong>ficers’ team to combat trafficking. To increase the protection side <strong>of</strong>
trafficking, more women are employed at the IPTF and assigned to teams
throughout the country. IPTF, as such, has embarked into gender-mainstreaming
through STOP.
On the legal side, two legal services, the Criminal Justice Advisory Unit
(CJAU) and the International Judiciary Commission (IJC), work together with field
teams to pursue trafficking. CJAU explores the best legal steps to take in
protecting victims, and IJC ensures that the procedure is respected, specifically,
that local police are doing their part. IJC has the power to remove police and
prosecutors who are not doing their jobs properly. So far, six people have been
moved for issuing false employment visas in trafficked victim’s passports.
<strong>The</strong> IPTF Human Rights Office claims that while policies need
improvement, appropriate measures are in place to ensure appropriate action by
police and prosecutors. Local staff lack knowledge and effective comprehension
<strong>of</strong> law regulations, as demonstrated in the varied outcomes <strong>of</strong> cases, determined
by the prosecutor’s effectiveness and predisposing position <strong>of</strong> the judge.
Local police stations have established specialized units that consist <strong>of</strong> up
to five people, at least one <strong>of</strong> whom is a woman. This action has impacted the
police staff policy by increasing the demand for women in recruiting
procedures. 32
IPTF <strong>of</strong>ficers serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina are from different
countries. As a result, they have been trained differently on gender violence
issues. Before they start missions, their induction training includes these issues,
including education on the Standard Operating Procedure that every <strong>of</strong>ficer
knows. In 2000, after 14 cases <strong>of</strong> involvement in trafficking, UNMBIH addressed
the need for changing the Standard Operating Procedure to introduce stricter
measures for <strong>of</strong>ficers attending trafficked bars and clubs. <strong>The</strong> first step involved
changing the recording policy. Until now, no incidents had been recorded in an
accused <strong>of</strong>ficer’s file. After the year 2000, each <strong>of</strong>ficer's misconduct was
recorded in the file.
<strong>The</strong> health-related policies <strong>of</strong> testing <strong>of</strong>ficers for STIs and HIV/AIDS vary
from country to country. Some countries do testing prior to engagement; others
do not. Policies with regard to testing are needed, and the practice should be
standardized in the United Nations system.
32 Interview with Sonia Cronin, Legal Council CJAU Officer, 7 August 2001.
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