OSCE officials praise Cyprus for its progress in combating human trafficking, encourage more multi-agency co-ordination

NICOSIA, 13 September 2018 – OSCE Acting Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey conducted an official visit to Cyprus this week, praised Cyprus for its progress in combating human trafficking and encouraged more multi-agency co-ordination.

During his three-day visit, Richey headed an OSCE delegation in meetings with the parliament, law enforcement officials, welfare services, labour inspectors, prosecutors, judges, and international and civil society representatives, where the country’s implementation of OSCE anti-trafficking commitments was discussed.

Richey noted that action by parliament as well as the commitment of officials in agencies such as the anti-trafficking unit has set Cyprus on the right path for the future. At the same time, stalled co-ordination efforts across agencies could undermine the progress being made.

“Full implementation of the national referral mechanism is crucial to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and victims get the services they are entitled to,” said Richey. “Anti-trafficking policies and activities should be designed based on clear evaluation criteria.”

“We welcome the efforts of the Justice Ministry to identify victims, the robust shelter services for victims, as well as the planned revision of the National Action Plan toward an evidence-based, strategically focused set of priorities,” said Richey. “There are good opportunities to advance co-ordination at the highest level and mobilize a system of assistance to support trafficked persons.”

The OSCE delegation also met with the National Commissioner for the Rights of the Child and the Ombudsperson and visited the state-run victims’ shelter in Nicosia as well as the reception centre for asylum seekers in Kofinou.

“We encountered dynamic and engaged front-line responders who are truly remarkable,” said Richey. “Identification and referral procedures at the early stage of migrant registration are now as vital as ever to avoid asylum-seekers falling into the hands of exploitative enterprises.”

The OSCE Office of the Special Representative regularly conducts goal-oriented, high-profile country visits to strengthen the capacity of OSCE participating States to address human trafficking in a comprehensive and effective manner, as well as to share knowledge and collect best practices in the fight against this serious crime. An OSCE report of the visit containing a discussion of promising practice and recommendations will be published in the upcoming months.