OSCE conference adopts recommendations to combat trafficking in humans (10/10/04)

OSCE conference adopts recommendations to combat trafficking in humans

HELSINKI - A two-day conference on protection of victims of trafficking concluded on September 24 by adopting a set of recommendations that will serve as a basis for future work of member-states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in combating trafficking.

Participants called on states to respect their obligations to protect the rights of victims, as well as to expand cooperation between authorities, international organizations and civil society in assisting victims of trafficking.

The conference was organized by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), one of Europe's leading human rights agencies, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry of Finland.

Recommendations adopted at the conference addressed authorities, law enforcement agencies, NGOs and international organizations. They stressed the need for increased coordination, especially in training.

"It is important that we realize that the reality of trafficking changes constantly, and that we must react to it accordingly," said Madeleine Rees, head of the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Participants pointed out the importance of improved identification of victims of trafficking and the need for social inclusion, victim protection and strengthening gender equality, as well as fighting all forms of prejudice.

They also stressed the need for developing a methodology on how to compile information and figures on trafficking in order for OSCE states to compare and coordinate their actions. Both would be in line with national referral mechanisms designed to coordinate assistance to victims of trafficking that have been adopted in some European countries.

"What we have learned here is that there is no contradiction between law enforcement and protecting the human rights of victims of trafficking," said Johanna Suurpaa, director of human rights affairs at the Finnish Foreign Ministry. "On the contrary, they strengthen each other."

Elisabeth Rehn, chair of the Working Table on Human Rights and Democratization within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, said that: "All of the trafficked people have their tragic story to tell, and a clear wish to retrieve their human dignity. I think we have an obligation to give them both hope and concrete action."

The conference suggested the establishment of an independent national rapporteur in each OSCE country to serve as a focal point and adviser to the authorities on action against trafficking.

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