OSCE Special Representative, ODIHR Director stress importance of EU role in combating human trafficking

VIENNA/WARSAW, 19 October 2009 - The OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Eva Biaudet, and the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Ambassador Janez Lenarcic, released a joint statement today underscoring the importance of the role of the European Union in combating human trafficking and upholding human rights, freedom and dignity for all. 

Their statement was issued to mark EU Anti-Trafficking Day on 18 October and the start in Brussels today of an EU Ministerial Conference titled "Towards Global EU Action against Trafficking in Human Beings".

"Fighting trafficking means having zero tolerance towards exploitation, particularly exploitation of women and children," said Eva Biaudet. "If we fail to combat the increased tolerance of exploitation, the effects of the global crisis will be felt in our socio-economic development for decades to come.

"With regard to children, we must increase our efforts at the local and regional level to build a protective safe environment for all children and protect their best interests. We must also ensure that there is sufficient capacity and that there are sufficient resources for early interventions and protection services to meet our overall responsibility. Every country should appoint a national rapporteur or equivalent mechanism to strengthen the national fight against trafficking in human beings."

ODIHR Director Lenarcic pointed out that irregular migrants are easy prey for traffickers and unscrupulous, exploitative employers: "Marginalised and unprotected, they are vulnerable to the worst in working and living conditions and targets for criminals seeking easy profits," he said, adding that their irregular immigration status and fear of expulsion often make them unwilling to turn to official authorities for help.

Trafficked persons are victims of crime and entitled to protection and compensation, not detention and expulsion, Lenarcic said. "If we don't step up efforts to identify and assist these persons, we perpetuate cycles of injustice for them and permit impunity for the criminals."

Biaudet and Lenarcic highlighted the great value the OSCE places on co-operation with the European Union in combating human trafficking. They stressed that the OSCE provides an excellent platform for co-operation, facilitating dialogue between countries of origin, transit and destination, and thus complementing the EU's action in combating human trafficking.