OSCE Office holds seminar in Baku on fighting human trafficking

BAKU, 26 August 2004 - The necessity and effectiveness of close co-operation in the fight against human trafficking was emphasized by participants at a one-day seminar held today by the OSCE Office in Baku.

The event is aimed at increasing the overall understanding of the positive benefits of co-operation between state authorities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the implementation of a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) against human trafficking, which was adopted by Azerbaijan in May of this year.

"To be effective in abolishing trafficking, the Government of Azerbaijan, non-governmental, international and intergovernmental organizations should work in synergy," said Robin Seaword, Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, addressing participants.

"All actors should chose clearly defined niches for their activities and consolidate their efforts, will and potential to eradicate human trafficking in line with the letter and spirit of the Plan," he added.

Zahid Dunyamaliyev, the National Co-ordinator for Implementation of NAP, told participants: "By adopting the Action Plan, Azerbaijan clearly indicated to the world community its strong commitment and proactive stance in fighting human trafficking. With functional strategies in place and co-operative ties established between the key actors, Azerbaijan will play a model role in this field."

The event also served as a platform for discussing further co-operation mechanisms within the context of specific tasks called for by the NAP. They include the further improvement of the legal framework, creation of a special police department against human trafficking, ensuring protection of victims and consolidation of resources and activities of the relevant government, non-government and international organizations.

The event brought together some 100 representatives of Baku-based and regional NGOs, officials of ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs as well as journalists covering the trafficking in Azerbaijani press, representatives of international organizations, embassies and independent experts.