Newsroom
New regulation makes human trafficking a criminal offence in Kosovo
PRISTINA 15 January 2001
PRISTINA, 15 January 2001 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo welcomes a new regulation aimed at combating trafficking in human beings in Kosovo. The regulation, signed last weekend by outgoing United Nations Special Representative, Dr Bernard Kouchner, makes human trafficking a criminal offence. It also provides for better protection and assistance for the victims of trafficking, most of whom are young women and girls.
"This is a very important step towards tackling what is, in effect, a modern form of human slavery," said OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Daan Everts.
The Regulation was drafted by an inter-agency working group that included OSCE and the OSCE-supported Department of Democratic Governance and Civil Society.
The OSCE has played and continues to play a major role in combating trafficking in Kosovo, through victim assistance programmes; training for judges and lawyers and, in 2001, for NGOs. It also monitors the trafficking problem through Focal Points in each region which work closely with UNMIK Police and the International Organisation for Migration.
The issue of human trafficking is a major problem facing Europe. Last November, the OSCE Ministerial Council expressed its commitment to step up efforts to tackle the problem and adopt anti-trafficking laws. In December, a Declaration signed by members of the Stability Pact Task Force called for increased regional co-operation in the fight against this growing problem in South-Eastern Europe.
For further information contact Claire Trevena, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel. +381 38 500 162 ext. 260, mobile: + 389 70 250 576, or by e-mail: press@omik.org. Information on the OSCE Mission in Kosovo: /kosovo
"This is a very important step towards tackling what is, in effect, a modern form of human slavery," said OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Daan Everts.
The Regulation was drafted by an inter-agency working group that included OSCE and the OSCE-supported Department of Democratic Governance and Civil Society.
The OSCE has played and continues to play a major role in combating trafficking in Kosovo, through victim assistance programmes; training for judges and lawyers and, in 2001, for NGOs. It also monitors the trafficking problem through Focal Points in each region which work closely with UNMIK Police and the International Organisation for Migration.
The issue of human trafficking is a major problem facing Europe. Last November, the OSCE Ministerial Council expressed its commitment to step up efforts to tackle the problem and adopt anti-trafficking laws. In December, a Declaration signed by members of the Stability Pact Task Force called for increased regional co-operation in the fight against this growing problem in South-Eastern Europe.
For further information contact Claire Trevena, Spokesperson, OSCE Mission in Kosovo, tel. +381 38 500 162 ext. 260, mobile: + 389 70 250 576, or by e-mail: press@omik.org. Information on the OSCE Mission in Kosovo: /kosovo