Newsroom
Chair of human trafficking task force ends trip to Albania
TIRANA 16 November 2001
TIRANA, 16 November 2001 - During her three-day visit to Albania, the Chair of the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, Minister Helga Konrad, met with the Albanian Ministers of Public Order, European Integration, Justice, Foreign Affairs and Education as well as with Minister Ndre Legisi, the Governmental Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinator.
The Albanian Government has put the fight of human trafficking on top of its political agenda. It has recognized its responsibility to combat this abhorrent human rights abuse and criminal activity, which negatively affects democratic institutions, the rule of law and the security in the Balkan region.
Albania has developed a National Plan of Action thereby formulating a comprehensive anti-trafficking policy comprising legislative reform, the protection and assistance of trafficking victims, and the prosecution of traffickers.
Trafficking in human beings is a trans-border crime, which no single country can fight on its own. Regional co-operation throughout South Eastern Europe (SEE) is of key importance. The Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings has therefore developed - with the support of SEE government representatives, international organizations and NGOs - a regional anti-trafficking strategy. This multiyear strategy covers, for example, the establishment of a network of shelters in SEE, regional harmonization of anti-trafficking legislation, training and capacity building programs tailored to assure equal standards throughout the Balkan region.
However, this crime needs to be tackled in its entire complexity and the human rights aspect must remain in the focus of every anti-trafficking strategy. Thus, the Albanian Government should closely collaborate with non-governmental organizations active in this field and support the newly established shelter in Vlora as well as the shelter in Tirana and enhance the exchange of information between the Albanian, Italian, Greek and German law enforcement agencies.
In order to enhance further regional information exchange, the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings has invited all Ministers of the Interior of SEE countries to the 2nd Regional Ministerial Forum, which will be hosted by Croatia on 27 November. At this signing conference, the Ministers will commit their countries to develop an information exchange mechanism for South Eastern Europe similar to that of Europol for Europe.
The Albanian Government has put the fight of human trafficking on top of its political agenda. It has recognized its responsibility to combat this abhorrent human rights abuse and criminal activity, which negatively affects democratic institutions, the rule of law and the security in the Balkan region.
Albania has developed a National Plan of Action thereby formulating a comprehensive anti-trafficking policy comprising legislative reform, the protection and assistance of trafficking victims, and the prosecution of traffickers.
Trafficking in human beings is a trans-border crime, which no single country can fight on its own. Regional co-operation throughout South Eastern Europe (SEE) is of key importance. The Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings has therefore developed - with the support of SEE government representatives, international organizations and NGOs - a regional anti-trafficking strategy. This multiyear strategy covers, for example, the establishment of a network of shelters in SEE, regional harmonization of anti-trafficking legislation, training and capacity building programs tailored to assure equal standards throughout the Balkan region.
However, this crime needs to be tackled in its entire complexity and the human rights aspect must remain in the focus of every anti-trafficking strategy. Thus, the Albanian Government should closely collaborate with non-governmental organizations active in this field and support the newly established shelter in Vlora as well as the shelter in Tirana and enhance the exchange of information between the Albanian, Italian, Greek and German law enforcement agencies.
In order to enhance further regional information exchange, the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings has invited all Ministers of the Interior of SEE countries to the 2nd Regional Ministerial Forum, which will be hosted by Croatia on 27 November. At this signing conference, the Ministers will commit their countries to develop an information exchange mechanism for South Eastern Europe similar to that of Europol for Europe.