Newsroom
OSCE steps up campaign against modern slavery in destination countries
BERLIN 17 October 2001
BERLIN, 17 October 2001 (OSCE) - At a two-day OSCE conference on combating trafficking in human beings, which closed in Berlin yesterday, government representatives and international experts expressed determination to more effectively fight against this modern form of slavery. The conference, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the first OSCE meeting to focus exclusively on mostly Western destination countries.
"Trafficking in human beings is by no means only a problem in countries of origin, it affects all of us - in the east as well as the west", said German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. "Only if we all together enhance our efforts can we master this challenge."
"Trafficking in human beings is a disgrace to human dignity and an affront to all of us", said OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Romanian Foreign Minister, Mircea Geoana. "This is not the time to pay lip service, it is time for action."
The need to improve the protection of trafficking victims was widely seen as one of the most pressing tasks ahead. "Destination countries must not treat trafficking in human beings merely as a problem of prostitution or illegal immigration", said OSCE/ODIHR Director Gerard Stoudmann. "We need to see it as a detestable new form of human rights violation. Much too often, trafficked persons are criminalized and deported instead of being treated as victims and assisted as such."
Within the OSCE, participating States have committed themselves to enhance efforts to combat trafficking in human beings, including by adopting measures to protect victims, but in many cases States have failed so far to take appropriate steps to put these commitments into practice.
"Much needs to be done in terms of legislative measures, international co-ordination and co-operation of law enforcement agencies, and the fight against corruption at all levels, a problem which was identified as a main obstacle to effective action to combat trafficking at the conference", said Mr. Stoudmann.
More than 200 government representatives and international experts from 30 OSCE participating States attended the conference.
"Trafficking in human beings is by no means only a problem in countries of origin, it affects all of us - in the east as well as the west", said German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. "Only if we all together enhance our efforts can we master this challenge."
"Trafficking in human beings is a disgrace to human dignity and an affront to all of us", said OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Romanian Foreign Minister, Mircea Geoana. "This is not the time to pay lip service, it is time for action."
The need to improve the protection of trafficking victims was widely seen as one of the most pressing tasks ahead. "Destination countries must not treat trafficking in human beings merely as a problem of prostitution or illegal immigration", said OSCE/ODIHR Director Gerard Stoudmann. "We need to see it as a detestable new form of human rights violation. Much too often, trafficked persons are criminalized and deported instead of being treated as victims and assisted as such."
Within the OSCE, participating States have committed themselves to enhance efforts to combat trafficking in human beings, including by adopting measures to protect victims, but in many cases States have failed so far to take appropriate steps to put these commitments into practice.
"Much needs to be done in terms of legislative measures, international co-ordination and co-operation of law enforcement agencies, and the fight against corruption at all levels, a problem which was identified as a main obstacle to effective action to combat trafficking at the conference", said Mr. Stoudmann.
More than 200 government representatives and international experts from 30 OSCE participating States attended the conference.