Police Commissioner and UNHCR Chief of Mission meet on Refugees Protection

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Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, met today with Chief of Mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Leila Jane Nassif at the Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain.

Among the topics discussed were national security and humanitarian protection as it relates to refugees, including issues such as sex slavery and trafficking of minors, with the priority of both agencies, the TTPS and UNHCR, to collaborate and cooperate and to look after the wellbeing of refugees.

Commissioner Griffith and Chief of Mission of UNHCR Nassif both agreed that the purpose of refugee status is not to escape criminal prosecution. They also agreed that refugees are subject to the law of the Trinidad and Tobago while they are assisted in finding solutions.

Also in attendance at today’s meeting were Inspector (Ag) Herman Narace, Interpol Division; Director of the Counter Trafficking Unit, Alana Wheeler; and Manager of the Victim and Witness Support Unit, Aisha Corbie.

The Victim and Witness Support Unit currently provides support to all victims and witnesses as a result of crimes, inclusive of refugees.

Story by NEWS DESK