Human Rights kk Trafficking in human beings: For the fight against trafficking in human beings to be effective, multidimensional efforts are needed, including protection of victims and the provision of assistance to them. While there have been increased efforts to combat trafficking for sexual exploitation, there has also been an increase in trafficking for the purposes of labour exploitation. In this regard, a number of states have been slow to respond, thus contributing to the failure to ensure the rights of trafficked persons to justice and protection. kk Human rights and the armed forces: Armed forces personnel are entitled to the same rights and freedoms as all other people, subject to certain limitations imposed by military life. However, the extent to which they are able to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms differs significantly across the OSCE region. This may be due to restrictions on the exercise of certain rights, or it may also be due to the existence of legislative and regulatory shortcomings and the lack of appropriate control mechanisms for the protection and enforcement of these rights. kk Human rights, women and security: While OSCE participating States recognize that the promotion of gender equality contributes to a comprehensive approach to security, there is generally insufficient consideration of women’s rights and gender aspects in security-related areas of concern, such as in the development of strategies for conflict prevention and conflict early-warning indicators, and in security-sector reform. In keeping with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325), women’s equal participation in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and gender-mainstreaming is vital for maintaining and promoting peace and security. The implementation of UNSCR 1325 varies within the OSCE region — so far, only a small number of participating States have developed national strategies for its implementation. 42 Annual Report 2007 Activities In 2007, ODIHR conducted activities under the following programmes: kk Human rights and anti-terrorism; kk Human rights training and education; kk Human rights and the armed forces; kk Monitoring compliance with human dimension commitments; kk Support for human rights defenders and national human rights institutions; kk Anti-trafficking; and kk Human rights, women and security. I. Human rights and anti-terrorism A state’s failure to respect human rights and the rule of law in the fight against terrorism can add to the sense of injustice and persecution felt by some sectors of society and thereby exacerbate conditions conducive to the recruitment of terrorists and the furtherance of violent extremism. Prosecution of terrorist suspects that does not respect human rights may lead to miscarriage or denial of justice; thus, not only may the perpetrators of terrorist acts enjoy impunity, but this may also undermine the confidence of the population at large in the state’s ability to protect them. Allegations of serious human rights violations by the state, such as torture and the illegal use of lethal force, can serve to bolster extremist discourse, while state actions that suppress political and religious groups can prevent democratic discussion of issues and lead to dissent taking other more radical forms. A manual on protecting human rights while countering terrorism.