OSCE Mission to Moldova

In 2003, the Mission expanded its human dimension portfolio to include combating trafficking in human beings and promoting gender issues. Poverty, inadequate public services, high levels of unemployment, discrimination against women, and lack of parental care are the factors that make Moldova a major country of origin for trafficking in human beings. Most victims are women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation, and more than 70 per cent have experienced domestic violence at home prior to being trafficked.

The Mission's Anti-Trafficking and Gender Programme seeks to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings by tackling domestic violence and promoting gender equality and women's rights. The Mission also helps to enhance identification, protection and assistance to victims and vulnerable persons and supports the observance of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.

Co-ordination

The Mission hosts monthly Technical Co-ordination Meetings (TCMs) in Chisinau and bi-monthly regional TCMs throughout Moldova. These meetings aim to further co-ordination among anti-trafficking actors and to encourage an ongoing exchange of information about activities and initiatives in the field. Regional TCMs also include local public authorities and local civil society representatives.

Anti-Trafficking and Gender Network website

In autumn 2006, the Mission, in partnership with Winrock International's "New Perspectives for Women" project, launched an Anti-Trafficking and Gender Network website, www.atnet.md. This website offers information in English, Romanian, and Russian, and includes a database of organizations, projects, and activities, as well as news and events.

National capacity building

The Mission aims to enhance the capacities of government and civil society actors in the fields of combating trafficking in human beings, preventing domestic violence, promoting gender equality, as well as protecting and assisting victims of trafficking or domestic violence. It sponsors training sessions for judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers in Chisinau and in the regions. The Mission also provides necessary equipment to national authorities, translates and distributes key materials, and facilitates the attendance of Moldovan officials and NGO representatives at international conferences.

Institutional support

The Mission attends, as an observer, all public sessions of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. The Mission also co-chairs, with the Ministry of Justice, the Sub-Working Group on Legislation and Law Enforcement of the National Committee. The primary purpose of this Committee has been to bring national legislation in the area of trafficking in human beings into conformity with international human rights standards.

Legislative support

The Mission has facilitated and contributed to the development of:

• National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings (2005-2006 and 2007-2009)
• Law to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings (2005, with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ODIHR)
• Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men (2006).
• Law on Preventing and Combating Family Violence (adopted March 2007, not yet entered into force)
• Draft Law on Preventing and Combating Discrimination in Moldova (under development)
• Draft Law on Victims and Witnesses Protection (under development).

Project support

The Mission supports the development and implementation of projects in the following areas:

• Prevention of trafficking in human beings and children.
• Protection and assistance to vulnerable persons.
• Combating domestic violence.
• Promotion of women's rights and peace-building.
• Development of migration policies.

Trial Monitoring Programme

The Mission and ODIHR, in partnership with the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative and the Institute for Penal Reform, commenced the Trial Monitoring Programme for Moldova in March 2006.