OSCE launches reports to promote better protection of trafficking victims
VIENNA, 26 May 2008 - The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today launched a report promoting the payment of compensation to victims of human trafficking.
The report, entitled "Compensation for Trafficked and Exploited Persons in the OSCE region", was presented in the context of an OSCE conference on child trafficking that opened today in Vienna.
"Paying compensation helps empower trafficking victims and helps them get access to justice and rights," said Ambassador Christian Strohal, Director of the ODIHR. "But in practice, there are few compensation claims, fewer awards and even fewer payments of compensation to trafficked and exploited persons."
The report - the first of its kind - reviews existing standards and practices related to compensation. It illustrates its findings with case studies from eight OSCE countries: Albania, France, Moldova, Romania, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States. Looking at criminal, civil and labour law proceedings as well as state compensation funds, it highlights challenges and good practices, and develops recommendations for action for all OSCE States.
The other report launched today focused on human trafficking for labour exploitation, forced and bonded labour, authored by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
"The report continues the OSCE anti-trafficking work on implementing the OSCE Action Plan regarding trafficking for labour exploitation and gives attention to the environment in which this type of trafficking takes place," said Special Representative Eva Biaudet.
Today's conference on child trafficking brought together some 300 representatives from OSCE capitals, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations to reinforce and strengthen their co-operation in the field of human trafficking, with a particular focus on urban areas.