Anti-trafficking course held in Kyiv (05/21/06)

Anti-trafficking course held in Kyiv

KYIV - More than 30 representatives from foreign consulates in Ukraine gathered on April 28 in Kyiv for an anti-trafficking course, co-organized by the project coordinator in Ukraine of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The training course focused on current prevention, prosecution and protection initiatives in the country. It also included discussions on the root causes and consequences of trafficking, ways in which consular officials can identify and assist potential victims, and an overview of the work of the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry's Center on the Protection of Ukrainian Citizens Abroad.

"Human trafficking constitutes a pervasive and persistent criminal violation of the most fundamental of human rights: the right to life, liberty and security of the person," said Abina M. Dann, Canada's ambassador to Ukraine. "Like all countries, organizations and individuals for whom human rights are sacred, we strongly denounce and criminalize human trafficking. We want to provide better protection to the vulnerable, and we are firmly resolved to bring perpetrators to justice."

This was the fourth in a series of training courses hosted by the Canadian Embassy in Kyiv for consular and visa staff of foreign diplomatic missions, and is part of a comprehensive national anti-trafficking program being implemented by the Office of the OSCE Project Coordinator.

The event was organized in cooperation with Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Canadian Embassy, and the non-governmental organization International Women's Rights Center La Strada-Ukraine.

The training course also presented the OSCE project coordinator's new anti-trafficking public service announcements featuring the Ukrainian singer Ruslana, the platinum award winner of the 2004 Eurovision song contest.

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