OSCE Special Representative meets Russian officials to discuss co-operation in combating human trafficking

MOSCOW, 20 November 2009 - The OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Eva Biaudet, has met Russian counterparts to discuss international co-operation in combating the crime, and emphasized the need to place human trafficking higher on the political agenda in the OSCE region.

During a two-day visit that ends today, Biaudet stressed the importance of international co-operation on the matter within the framework of the OSCE, which considers combating human trafficking one of its priority areas as reflected in consecutive Ministerial Council Decisions and recommendations adopted since the year 2000.

"We need to have a clearer understanding of the scope of the crime and its trends, as well as an accurate assessment of the results of our actions. This is why the OSCE supports the exchange of information among participating States and advocates the establishment of National Rapporteurs or equivalent mechanisms for effective policy-making based on concrete and comparable information," said Biaudet at a news conference held at Interfax news agency.

Biaudet met senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry, Justice Ministry, Prosecutor's General Office, the Ombudsman for Children's Rights, the Public Chamber and the Secretariat of the Russian Union of Journalists and Chairpersons of two State Duma Committees, as well as key non-governmental organizations providing assistance to trafficked persons.

The OSCE Representative underlined that her visit served the purpose of continuing political dialogue with Russia and intensifying the exchange of views on how to increase co-operation with the Russian Federation in combating human trafficking.

"All across the OSCE region, the economic crisis has been reducing legitimate employment opportunities and thus making millions of people more vulnerable to sexual and labour exploitation. Empirical evidence of trafficking and its modus operandi is now more necessary than ever. We need to act together to prosecute the traffickers, protect the victims and prevent the crime wherever it happens," said Biaudet.

"The OSCE is a major international actor dedicated to combating modern slavery, and as such it will continue to promote further effective co-operation between national and international anti-trafficking stakeholders," said Biaudet. This was the last official visit of Biaudet to Moscow as the OSCE Special Representative.