A fingerprint made up of articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the symbol for an OSCE conference in Helsinki on protecting the rights of trafficking victims, 23-24 September 2004. It was designed by Josef Pallwein-Prettner of Austria. Trafficking in Human Beings Trafficking in human beings affects virtually all OSCE Referral Mechanisms both in countries of origin and participating States either as countries of origin, coun- destination in order to protect and assist the victims of tries of transit, or countries of destination. It is a com- trafficking. plex human-rights issue that cuts across the entire spectrum of the OSCE's comprehensive security policy. Main issues In response, the OSCE has taken steps to combat all aspects of this phenomenon. For example, the OSCE Ac-
Raising awareness: The fight against trafficking in tion Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, human beings is high on the political agenda of policy adopted in December 2003, outlines a comprehensive makers throughout the OSCE region. In practice, how- approach. It calls on participating States to take initia- ever, trafficking is often approached only as a problem tives to prevent trafficking, to prosecute traffickers, and to protect victims with the assistance of OSCE in- of illegal migration or prostitution. Trafficking differs stitutions and field operations. In 2004, the OSCE ap- from illegal immigration or from smuggling of persons pointed a special representative who is also mandated in that it includes an element of force, deception, or with assisting participating States in the implementa- coercion, and it is carried out for the purpose of plac- tion of their commitments and the Action Plan. ing a person – whether for pay or not – into involuntary servitude. Individuals may also be trafficked do- In light of these developments, the ODIHR continued mestically, not crossing international borders. To to be engaged in designing and implementing projects ensure that trafficking is correctly understood by all to raise awareness about the risks of trafficking with key actors, target groups for awareness-raising activi- governments and NGOs, assisting in legislative review ties have included government officials, consular staff, and reform, and promoting the adoption of National law-enforcement bodies, and potential victims. 34