OSCE organizes study visit for Kazakhstan delegation to Serbia on National mechanism for victims of human trafficking

The OSCE Programme Office in Astana organized a visit to Belgrade for Kazakhstan’s parliamentarians, representatives of the Health Care and Social Development and Interior Ministries and civil society activists from 4 to 7 March 2015. The purpose of the visit is to study Serbia’s experience in establishing a National Referral Mechanism for Victims of Human Trafficking.

At the Serbian Parliament the delegation met with the Head of the Human Rights and Gender Equality Committee and exchanged experiences in ensuring human rights and countering human trafficking. They also discussed the priorities of the Serbian Chairmanship in the OSCE and their effective implementation.

Kazakhstan’s representatives had detailed discussions with the Coordinator of the National Referral Mechanism and government officials from the Labour Employment, Veterans’ and Social Affairs Ministry, the Interior Ministry and Prosecutor General’s Office and representatives of non-governmental organizations providing assistance to the victims of cruel treatment. Serbian officials and civil society’s activists shared their views on the necessary legal and institutional steps to establish an effective framework for identifying victims of human trafficking and ensuring they receive the appropriate protection and support.

Participants focused, inter alia, on good practices in identifying national policy goals and their reflection in the national legislation on preventing and countering human trafficking. They also discussed the ways and tools at the legislative and institutional level to develop and implement the National Referral Mechanism to enhance the effectiveness of preventive measures and steps to ensure professional maintenance and sustainable financing of shelters for victims. On the last day of their stay in Serbia the delegation will visit one of the crisis centres and shelters for victims of trafficking in human beings.

The Parliamentarians also met with the Serbia-Kazakhstan Caucus and the Concurrent Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Serbian Republic to discuss Kazakhstan’s initiatives in ensuring national minority rights. The delegation was also met by the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Ambassador to discuss the context in which the Mission works as well as Serbia’s priorities for the Chairmanship.

The visit is part of the Office’s multiyear efforts to assist the host country and civil society in combating and preventing trafficking in human beings and provide social services to its victims.