OSCE launches innovative project to combat human trafficking along migration routes

VICENZA, Italy, 17 June 2016 – The OSCE on Friday launched a ground-breaking capacity-building initiative to combat trafficking along migration routes through a series of simulation exercises for 200 regional experts that will take place over the next two years.

The courses are designed for law enforcement officials, prosecutors, labour inspectors, financial investigators, civil society representatives and other regional experts. The first exercise will take place in November.

“In co-operation with the Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU), the OSCE is bringing together all relevant frontline actors from the countries of origin, transit and destination along migration routes, in an innovative, reality-based simulation exercise to enhance their capacity to investigate crime and develop effective referral mechanisms for identifying victims,” Secretary General Lamberto Zannier said.

The project, with an overall budget of 550,000 euros, allows participants to boost their ability to combat human trafficking by working through realistic, expert-developed scenarios that simulate cases of labour and sexual exploitation among migrants, including child victims.

The three trainings will be held at CoESPU’s state of the art facility in Vicenza, Italy.

“We are extremely pleased to join hands with our partners at the OSCE on this project,” Tullio Del Sette, General Commander of the Carabinieri said. “Mixed migration flows have increased dramatically in the region, underscoring the demand for such training programs.”

The project receives extra-budgetary support from the governments of Italy, Hungary and Monaco as well as the German Chairmanship.

“This project will uphold values that are at the core of the OSCE’s anti-trafficking efforts, and show that protection and security are not mutually exclusive – criminal law enforcement against traffickers must go hand in hand with victim protection,” Detlef Karioth, Germany’s Special Representative for the Establishment of Refugee-Hotspots in Greece and Italy said. “We are proud to be a part of it.”