OSCE Presence in Albania

The Anti Trafficking Unit of the OSCE Presence in Albania assists the Government in implementing the National Anti-Trafficking Strategy and the Action Plan to combat human trafficking and protect victims, particularly children. As part of the Strategy, a legal review was drafted by Albanian and international lawyers commissioned by the Unit.

In partnership with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Office of the Co-ordinator for OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, the Unit is also implementing a programme to promote economic empowerment and legal assistance as tools to help prevent human trafficking. This programme follows the successful Women's Rights and Anti-Trafficking Education (WRATE) project carried out between 2000 and 2004.

The WRATE project, the first of its kind in Albania, aimed to sensitize certain groups on women's human rights and increase the awareness of those most at risk on issues of domestic violence and trafficking. It also provided information on services to support victims of these crimes.

The Unit also participates in the EU-funded 2003 Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation (CARDS) project on pre-screening trafficking victims, asylum seekers and migrants. The project aims to consolidate and strengthen existing procedures for the referral of these groups and is being implemented in co-operation with the Albanian Government, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration.