OSCE Special Representative’s visit to Ukraine focuses on addressing crisis-related human trafficking risks

CHERNIVTSI, 1 June 2018 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Madina Jarbussynova, concluded today a four-day visit to Western Ukraine. The trip aimed to raise awareness of human trafficking and the risks encountered by vulnerable groups as a consequence of the current crisis in and around Ukraine.

The visit covered the cities of Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi, where Jarbussynova met with representatives of state oblast administrations. She also delivered briefings to the staff of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine on best practices in monitoring and reporting human trafficking-related trends. Meeting with representatives from relevant international organizations and civil society to discuss the situation on the ground and issues related to the identification and assistance of victims of human trafficking, in particular in the light of vulnerabilities brought about by the ongoing crisis, was also part of her trip.

“Despite the distance, the repercussions of the events in the east are acutely felt across the whole of the country, including its western regions, with thousands of internally displaced persons hosted by local communities,” Jarbussynova said. “We must remain vigilant and ensure that, while searching for jobs and other sustainable economic opportunities, these people do not fall into the trap of human trafficking. In this regard, the important role of OSCE monitors in raising awareness of human trafficking risks can hardly be overstated.”

Ertugrul Apakan, Chief Monitor of the OSCE SMM, noted that “the SMM is well aware that conflict tends to exacerbate existing risks relating to human trafficking” and added that “the training provided by Ambassador Jarbussynova and her team will enable us to be better equipped to identify conflict-related trends and cases.”

The Special Representative travels regularly to Ukraine, engaging with high-level authorities, relevant stakeholders and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. The work of her Office helps to strengthen the capacity of the Ukrainian institutions to effectively respond to trafficking in human beings. The Office also delivers training courses for OSCE monitors to enable them to spot human trafficking trends and report on alleged cases.

Next week, the Office of the Special Representative intends to deliver similar briefings on how to combat trafficking in human beings to the OSCE monitors in Donetsk, Luhansk, Sievierodonetsk and Kramatorsk.