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OSCE condemns trafficking in human beings
WARSAW 26 October 2000
WARSAW, 26 October 2000 - Government representatives from OSCE participating States yesterday condemned trafficking in human beings, and explored ways to combat this modern form of slavery. For the first time, the issue of trafficking in human beings was on the agenda of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, the Organization's annual human rights conference.
"Trafficking in human beings is a disgrace for all modern and civilized countries", said Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the main OSCE institution dealing with the fight against trafficking. "The problem affects all 54 participating States of the OSCE either as countries of origin, transit or destination." The ODIHR Director further stressed that due to its involuntary nature trafficking in human beings must be distinguished from human smuggling.
During the session, representatives from OSCE participating States acknowledged that they bear primary responsibility for combating trafficking, which they view as a growing problem perpetrated in many cases by sophisticated networks of transnational organized crime.
Government representatives agreed with NGOs and international organizations present that only their joint, multidisciplinary approach in the fields of prevention, prosecution, legislative reform and victim protection would be effective in decreasing the incidence of trafficking. Many participants stressed the need to address the economic and social roots of the problem, especially by enhancing women's economic rights and combating violence and discrimination against women.
Dr. Helga Konrad, former Austrian Minister of Women's Affairs and Chair of the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, presented the activities of the Task Force which is led by the OSCE and called for more involvement from governments in the region. In order to co-ordinate national efforts and to liaison with international actors, the Task Force Chair has requested that a national focal point be appointed in each country in the Balkans region.
Recognizing that the presence of the international community, particularly in post-conflict areas where rule of law is weak, can often directly or inadvertently increase demand for the services of trafficked victims, several governments noted and welcomed the fact that the OSCE is developing a code of conduct in this regard. Furthermore, guidelines for how to respond in an effective, timely manner to urgent cases in the field should also be developed in the near future by the ODIHR in collaboration with OSCE field missions.
For further information contact Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR Public Affairs Officer at +48-22-5200600 or +48-603683122 (mobile).
"Trafficking in human beings is a disgrace for all modern and civilized countries", said Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the main OSCE institution dealing with the fight against trafficking. "The problem affects all 54 participating States of the OSCE either as countries of origin, transit or destination." The ODIHR Director further stressed that due to its involuntary nature trafficking in human beings must be distinguished from human smuggling.
During the session, representatives from OSCE participating States acknowledged that they bear primary responsibility for combating trafficking, which they view as a growing problem perpetrated in many cases by sophisticated networks of transnational organized crime.
Government representatives agreed with NGOs and international organizations present that only their joint, multidisciplinary approach in the fields of prevention, prosecution, legislative reform and victim protection would be effective in decreasing the incidence of trafficking. Many participants stressed the need to address the economic and social roots of the problem, especially by enhancing women's economic rights and combating violence and discrimination against women.
Dr. Helga Konrad, former Austrian Minister of Women's Affairs and Chair of the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, presented the activities of the Task Force which is led by the OSCE and called for more involvement from governments in the region. In order to co-ordinate national efforts and to liaison with international actors, the Task Force Chair has requested that a national focal point be appointed in each country in the Balkans region.
Recognizing that the presence of the international community, particularly in post-conflict areas where rule of law is weak, can often directly or inadvertently increase demand for the services of trafficked victims, several governments noted and welcomed the fact that the OSCE is developing a code of conduct in this regard. Furthermore, guidelines for how to respond in an effective, timely manner to urgent cases in the field should also be developed in the near future by the ODIHR in collaboration with OSCE field missions.
For further information contact Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR Public Affairs Officer at +48-22-5200600 or +48-603683122 (mobile).