OSCE steps up efforts to combat trafficking in human beings

VIENNA, 28 November 2000 - The OSCE Ministerial Council is committed to ending violence against women and children, sexual exploitation and all forms of trafficking in human beings. "We are gravely concerned about the growing problem of trafficking in human beings, a flagrant human rights abuse and a serious crime," said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner at the closing session of the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting.

In a decision released toady, the OSCE Ministerial Council will enhance the OSCE's efforts in combating trafficking in human beings. The OSCE calls to intensify co-operation between its participating States, in particular between those which are countries of origin, transit and destination of trafficked human beings.

The prevention of trafficking, protection of victims and the prosecution of traffickers are the focus of the OSCE effort. OSCE institutions will step-up anti-trafficking programmes and work to raise awareness for the issue through training programmes for public officials on trafficking. The Ministerial Council also made commitments to adopt legislation to criminalize trafficking to ensure effective law enforcement.

For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: info@osce.org