OSCE Office supports study visit for Tajik government officials to South-eastern Europe to discuss fight against trafficking in human beings

DUSHANBE, 4 September 2009 - A study visit to Belgrade and Skopje supported by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan for government staff involved in combating trafficking on human beings ends tomorrow.

The one-week trip was organized with the support of the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and the OSCE Mission to Serbia for seven representatives from Tajikistan's Inter-Agency Commission on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

"The Government of Tajikistan has taken steps to combat trafficking and the OSCE Office is committed to assisting the government, and in particular the Commission. This includes supporting a working group to gather and share data with the other agencies and the public, and which will in be in charge of monitoring implementation of the National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings," said Graziella Piga, manager of the OSCE Office's Gender and Anti-trafficking Programme.

The study visit to Belgrade and Skopje aimed to provide delegates with the opportunity to learn about the methods and best practices employed in the countries, which have established strong anti-trafficking programmes. The visit included meetings with OSCE officials and representatives from government ministries, police, national referral mechanisms, other state agencies and local non-governmental organizations.

A roundtable discussion will be held in October with the study visit participants to discuss how the lessons learned could be applied in Tajikistan.