OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine holds meeting for consular officials on preventing human trafficking

KYIV, 27 April 2007 - Ways to develop closer co-operation between consular services and Ukrainian authorities to combat human trafficking were discussed at a meeting in Kyiv today.

The event brought together representatives of the Ukrainian government and the diplomatic corps from some 20 OSCE participating States, as well from OSCE Mediterranean and Asian partners for co-operation.

The discussion focused on regulating outward labour migration from Ukraine, supporting Ukrainian citizens abroad, and prosecuting traffickers.

"The OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings proposes 'increasing awareness about trafficking among immigration authorities and consular and diplomatic personnel so that they use this knowledge in their daily contacts with potential victims' as one of the measures to prevent this crime," said James Schumaker, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator.

"By working together with Ukrainian authorities and foreign embassies here we are helping to protect those who may be heading for a trap set for them by traffickers."

The meeting was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine in co-operation with the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine. This was the fifth such event organized with the support of Canadian Embassy.