The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency, held a three days’ workshop on International Migration Law and Mixed Migration from 12-14 August 2020 in Mtwara, Mtwara region.

The International  Migration Law and Mixed Migration workshop was facilitated by IOM, together with UNHCR, the Anti-Trafficking Secretariat, Social Welfare Department and the civil society organization Dignity Kwanza.

Conducted with the financial support of the UK Government through the Department for International Development (DFID), the workshop, which brought together 15 mid-level managers from the  President’s Office Regional Administrative and local Government Office, Immigration Service Department, Social Welfare Department, Police Department, Prisons Department, Anti-Trafficking Secretariat and the National Identification Authority, aimed at enhancing understanding of international migration law and its relationship to national laws relevant to migration. The workshop also allowed for the exchange of information between government officials from different departments as well as examining the challenges of mixed migration. The participants studied the core human rights instruments and protection mechanisms, as well as the authority and responsibility of States regarding entry, stay, detention and expulsion of migrants – including the principle of non-refoulement.  The workshop also examined the prevailing international law as it relates to transnational organized crime, particularly the crimes of trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, both of which are criminalized under Tanzanian law. In fact, one day prior to this workshop in Mtwara, IOM and the Ministry of Home Affairs commemorated the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2020 in Dodoma, 11 August 2020.

The workshop took place at a sensitive time for the region of Mtwara, given it borders Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, which has witnessed an increased level of insurgency in recent moths.

The Regional Commissioner of the Mtwara Region, Hon. Mr.  Gelasius Byakanwa graced the opening and closing of the workshop with helpful remarks which we very pertinent to participants from the Mtwara region. Mr. David Hofmeijer, Programme Coordinator of IOM Tanzania, was also present and welcomed participants to the workshop and noted that it was the fourth in a series of migrants’ rights workshops to be delivered under the “Migrant Registration Support for Tanzania” project. Hofmeijer encouraged participants to apply what they have learned while executing their duties, with a renewed understanding of how the international on migrant protection is also reflected in national legislation. Hofmeijer also emphasized IOM’s continued support, and the support of development partners such as DFID, to advise and assist in the management of migration in the United Republic of Tanzania.

The workshop is part of a multi-year UK-funded project titled “Migrant Registration Support for Tanzania” which aims to enhance the United Republic of Tanzania’s capacities with regards to irregular migration and the promotion of humane and orderly migration by contributing to the ongoing government efforts in registering irregular migrants in view immigration status determination and, eventually, regularization.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Matteo RONGIONE- IOM Tanzania |Email: MRONGIONE@iom.int or Mobile +255 699 617 770,  Ms.  Valda CHALI - IOM Tanzania |Email: vchali@iom.int or Mobile +255 685248063