Regional trafficking hotlines in Ukraine supported by ODIHR

KHARKIV, 12 December 2000 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will assist in establishing and maintaining five regional trafficking hotlines in the Ukraine.

Since early September 2000 five regional hotlines in Kharkiv, Ternopil, Luhansk, Odessa and Sevastopol are providing information to potential trafficking victims and their families and assisting persons who have fallen victims of trafficking. Frequently asked questions regard risks and consequences of migrating and working abroad or advice on how to protect oneself against trafficking.

After having financed the counselling and information hotline of the NGO "La Strada Kyiv" for the first half of 2000, the ODIHR agreed not only to continue the support of the Kyiv-based hotline, but also to assist in establishing and maintaining five regional hotlines, including training of the personnel operating these hotlines.

The establishment of these hotlines provides a good opportunity for raising awareness on the regional level for the trafficking problem. Press conferences with participation of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator's office in Ternopil on 4 September and in Kharkiv on 11 December 2000 received broad publicity.

For information, contact Mr. Gizo Grdzelidze, Senior Project Officer, 8/24 Dimitrivska St., 01054, Kyiv, Ukraine. tel.: (+380-44) 251 21 56 fax: (+380-44) 246 88 26 e-mail: osce@osce.kiev.ua