OSCE hosts conference in Skopje on addressing human trafficking along Western Balkan migration routes
SKOPJE, 27 October 2016 - Some 60 representatives of national authorities, civil society and OSCE field operations from South-Eastern Europe called for an enhanced regional response to human trafficking at the start of a two-day OSCE regional conference in Skopje on promoting synergies and common approaches in addressing human trafficking along the Western Balkan migration routes.
The conference, organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje with the support of the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings as well as the National Commission on Combating Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, aims to encourage a more constructive and action-oriented dialogue on human trafficking in the countries affected by the migration flows.
“We have a shared responsibility to ensure a humane and dignified treatment and international protection of the people at risk and to protect them from abuse, exploitation, smuggling and trafficking,” said Nina Suomalainen, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.
Madina Jarbussynova, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, said: “In the context of the current migration and refugee crisis, special emphasis should be placed on strengthening co-ordinated responses, enhancing the capacity of national authorities and bringing increased awareness among migrant and refugee populations about the risks of being trafficked and exploited.
It is my sincere hope that anti-trafficking co-ordinators will, now on a regional scale, renew their commitments to tackle the crime of trafficking within the current migration context.”
The two-day discussion focuses on the vulnerabilities and risks of migration-related trafficking in human beings, challenges and opportunities for common approaches to victim identification and finding ways to enhance a comprehensive and effective regional criminal justice response.
A Joint Declaration is expected to be endorsed on the second day of the conference by the national anti-trafficking co-ordinators of the Western Balkan countries, which will serve as a basis for strengthening the regional co-operation and response in the fight against human trafficking.