Dr. Mohammad Rafi Popal, Deputy Director-General of AOP, had a VTC meeting with Richard Ritter, Political Consul, James McCormick, US Embassy Senior Adviser, regarding programs, plans, and mechanisms to prevent human trafficking.
The Deputy Director-General of AOP provided information on the Afghan government's efforts to prevent trafficking in human beings, stating that the Afghan government is making every effort to prevent human trafficking and minors' use as cheap laborers.
He said that the distribution of e-Tazkiras in the provinces and the APPS system have helped prevent minors from joining the security forces and that the Ministry of Justice has provided guidelines, awareness-raising, and provincial-level programs and justice enforcement mechanisms to help us achieve the goal.
Mr. Richard Ritter and Mr. James McCormick acknowledged the Afghan government's efforts and progress in the fight against human trafficking, saying significant steps had been taken in the area of human trafficking but that there were still concerns about minors used as laborers. They added that these obstacles must be fought in cooperation and coordination.