Chairman-in-Office urges OSCE States to take concrete steps in fight against trafficking

PRAGUE, 20 May 2003 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the Netherlands Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, has called on the OSCE States to identify concrete steps to better fight trafficking in all its aspects.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 11th OSCE Economic Forum, which began today in Prague, Minister de Hoop Scheffer said: "We have passed the stage of mere rhetoric. We must now focus on concrete measures that can deliver the results that we seek.

"We should look at money flows linked to trafficking, at involving the private sector, and at the economic push and pull factors influencing trafficking", he said.

The fight against trafficking in drugs, human beings and weapons is on top of the agenda of this year's Economic Forum, which takes place from 20 to 23 May. During the meeting, decision-makers from the 55 OSCE participating States and experts from international governmental and non-governmental organizations will try to identify policy proposals that can more effectively counter trafficking.

Focusing on the trafficking in human beings, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office stressed that the time for talk was over and what was needed now were concrete measures.

One of the suggestions that the CiO hopes the OSCE states can agree on, is the establishment of a special representative, who could help countries both East and West of Vienna to strengthen their political commitment and to implement the anti-trafficking measures agreed on.

The Minister also suggested that the OSCE "should make use of the fact that in certain areas the private sector may very well be able to regulate itself", referring to the example of transportation firms that use special screening mechanisms for detecting illegal transports of human beings, chemicals or drugs.

While stressing the importance of not overlooking simple but effective ways to address the needs of victims of human trafficking, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office also suggested the installation of an international hotline throughout the OSCE region, allowing trafficking victims to call for help or to disclose information about criminal networks.

Stressing that the Netherlands felt strongly about the issue of winning the fight against trafficking, the Minister said that the Netherlands aimed at continuity during the various Presidencies - of the Council of Europe and the European Union - that the country will hold in the next year and a half.

The Economic Forum, which takes place in Prague's Foreign Ministry, Czernin Palace, will conclude on Friday, 23 May, at 12.00 with a closing ceremony (not at 15.00, as previously announced) which will be open to the media.

At 13.00, a press conference will also be held in the Czernin Palace. Further information can be found at the special OSCE Economic Forum website.