OSCE/ODIHR conference in Helsinki calls for wider cooperation to assist victims of trafficking
Press release 214/2004
24.9.2004
A two-day conference on protection of victims of trafficking today concluded by adopting a set of recommendations, which will serve as a basis for future work of OSCE States in the combat against trafficking. The conference, held in Helsinki, called on States to respect their obligations to protect the human rights of victims; for wider cooperation of authorities, international organisations and civil society in assisting victims of trafficking and for respect for those victims instead of prejudice.
The conference was held by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), one of Europe's leading human rights agencies, in co-operation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
The recommendations of participants addressed authorities, law enforcement agencies, NGOs and international organisations. They stressed increased coordination between those actors, for instance in training, clear division of labour and understanding of the nature of the crime of trafficking.
“It is important that we realize that the reality of trafficking changes constantly, and that we react to it,” said Ms. Madeleine Rees, Head of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ office in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Improved identification of victims of trafficking was mentioned, as well as the need for social inclusion, victim protection, focus on strengthening gender equality and fighting prejudice. “What we have learned here is that there is no contradiction between law enforcement and protecting the human rights of victims of trafficking. On the contrary, they strengthen each other,” said Mrs. Johanna Suurpää, Director of Human Rights Affairs at the Finnish Foreign Ministry.
The establishment of an independent National Rapporteur in each OSCE country was suggested, to serve as a focal point and advisor to the authorities on action against trafficking. Also a methodology on how to compile information and figures on trafficking, in order for OSCE States to compare and coordinate their actions, was proposed. Both would be in line with National Referral Mechanisms which are to coordinate the identification and assistance to victims of trafficking and have been adopted in some European countries.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Elisabeth Rehn, Chair of the Working Table on Human Rights and Democratization within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, stressed the need for full respect for victims of trafficking: “Like so many of you present, I have personally talked to hundreds of trafficked people in Europe, and much more outside Europe. They all have their tragic story to tell, and a clear wish to retrieve their human dignity. I think we have an obligation to give them both hope and concrete action.”