Trafficking in Human Beings stitution, the ODIHR is increasingly engaged in developing As a worldwide phenomenon, trafficking in human beings affects virtually all OSCE participating States either as countries of origin, countries of transit, or countries of destination. It is a complex human rights issue that cuts across the entire spectrum of the OSCE's comprehensive security policy. standards for the protection of victims and training relevant authorities on best practices in this field. The main issues OSCE Anti-Trafficking Guidelines
Raising awareness: The fight against trafficking in www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2001/06/1563_en.pdf human beings is high on the political agenda of policy makers throughout the OSCE region. In practice, however, trafficking is often approached only as a problem of illegal mi- Among the priorities addressed during the Dutch Chairman- gration or prostitution. Trafficking differs from illegal ship of the OSCE in 2003, trafficking in all its forms was high immigration or from smuggling of persons in that it includes on the agenda; the achievements of this year will set the an element of force, deception, or coercion, and it is carried tone for the OSCE’s anti-trafficking efforts for many years to out for the purpose of placing a person - whether for pay or come. The ODIHR actively participated in major OSCE anti- not - into involuntary servitude or an otherwise abusive situ- trafficking events throughout 2003, including the 11th Eco- ation. Individuals may also be trafficked domestically, not nomic Forum and the 1st Annual Police Experts meeting. crossing international borders. These events illustrate the potential for an integrated ap-
proach to anti-trafficking efforts, bringing together all di- Establishing a legal and policy framework to pros- ecute traffickers and to protect victims: Victim identifi- mensions of the OSCE’s work for a comprehensive response cation and assistance in the majority of cases happens on an to this complex phenomenon. Most notably, at the end of ad hoc basis, if at all. Criminal investigations and the prose- 2003, the OSCE Ministerial Council endorsed the OSCE Ac- cution of perpetrators are rarely successful without state- tion Plan To Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. ments from trafficked persons. Guaranteed safety, shelter, access to independent advice and counseling, an opportunity for reflection delay, as well as effective witness protection, OSCE Action Plan To Combat Trafficking in Human Beings are prerequisites to enabling trafficked persons to report the www.osce.org/docs/english/pc/2003/decisions/pced557.pdf crime and to consider co-operation with authorities. Only a stabilized victim will be able to contribute to successful prosecution efforts as a reliable witness. The OSCE Action Plan recommends a comprehensive approach, outlining actions to be undertaken in the fields of
Co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of prevention, prosecution, and protection. The ODIHR’s anti- anti-trafficking measures: Trafficking touches on issues of trafficking efforts contribute to improvements in all these human rights, inequality, discrimination, rule of law, crime con- fields. For example, the ODIHR carries out and supports as- trol, law enforcement, corruption, economic deprivation, and sessment and research, which is a valuable basis for further migration. The multitude of angles and perspectives that need prevention and awareness-raising activities. In the field of to be addressed when combating trafficking in human beings prosecution, the ODIHR has assisted participating States with opens an arena for a broad variety of actors. These actors bring legislative review and reform efforts aimed at criminalizing in a variety of approaches from different agencies. Co-ordina- all aspects of the trafficking process. As a human rights in- tion, co-operation, and monitoring are key elements. 32