OSCE Special Representative discusses fight against trafficking in human beings with Tajik officials

DUSHANBE, 17 May 2005 - Helga Konrad, the OSCE Special Representative on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, who is in Dushanbe on a two-day visit, is holding talks with high-level Tajik Government officials on ways to fight human trafficking.

"We welcome Tajikistan's readiness to fight trafficking in human beings but the Government now needs to adopt a comprehensive action plan which will address the criminal aspects of human trafficking, its prevention, as well as the protection and rehabilitation of its victims," said Ms. Konrad. "We urge international financial organizations to assist Tajikistan in developing socially-balanced programmes on economic development, which target the root-causes of trafficking, such as poverty."

On Tuesday, she discussed co-operation between the OSCE and Tajikistan on anti-trafficking with Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov and Abdurahmon Azimov, acting Head of the Inter-Departmental Commission on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Head of the President's Defence and Law Enforcement Unit.

On Monday, Helga Konrad had met the Minister for Labour and Social Security Zokirjon Vazirov, as well as with high-ranking officials of the Interior, Justice and Security ministries, the State Borders' Protection Committee and the Office of the Prosecutor General.

The OSCE Special Representative also held meetings with members of the diplomatic corps and non-governmental organizations.

"We ask the Tajik Government to team up with the civil society and to institutionalise co-operation with NGOs, without which it will be impossible to win this battle," said the Special Representative.

She also urged the Government to vigorously fight corruption which helps human trafficking to strive.