Recognition of survivor leaders’ inclusion in anti-trafficking policies
When
Where
Organized by
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is organizing a breakfast event in the margins of the 23rd Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons. The event seeks to highlight the need for survivor inclusion in the development of anti-trafficking policies, legislation and overall efforts to combat trafficking in human beings (CTHB), including in National Referral Mechanisms and equivalent mechanisms.
The event will launch the Code of Practice for Ensuring the Rights of Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking, developed by ODIHR with its 1st International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council(ISTAC), and the e-Learning Course on Capacity Building for Survivor Leaders of Trafficking in Human Beings. A reflective dialogue will follow the launch presentation with survivor leaders, including members of the 1st ISTAC.
Context
Individuals are trafficked for various forms of exploitation and each of their experiences is unique, as well as their needs after they have been identified as victims or survivors. Although some OSCE participating States have included survivors in anti-trafficking policy development and work, their participation has been largely excluded across the OSCE region. To ensure a human rights-based and survivor-centred approach to combating human trafficking, survivors’ voices need to be included in all aspects of anti-trafficking work, with a particular focus on policy development. Survivors of trafficking in human beings are a key stakeholder within the multidisciplinary approach to combatting trafficking in human beings.
Registration
The event will be held in a blended format and bring the OSCE anti-trafficking community together in person and via videoconference (Zoom). The registration can be completed via this link to join the event in person. Should you wish to attend the event online, please register here.
Agenda and participants
Opening remarks:
Kateryna Ryabiko, First Deputy Director, OSCE/ODIHR
Keynote:
Gudrun Kugler, Rapporteur of the Second Committee of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Vice-Chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Migration
Launch of the Code of Practice for Ensuring the Rights of Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking
Panel discussion with survivor leaders:
Jerome Elam, Member of 1st OSCE/ODIHR ISTAC
Malaika Oringo, Member of 1st OSCE/ODIHR ISTAC
Hyab Yohannes, Member of 1st OSCE/ODIHR ISTAC
Jane Lasonder, Author&Founder of Red Alert Task Force
Launch of the e-Learning Course on Capacity Building for Survivor Leaders of Trafficking in Human Beings
Presented by: Heather Wokusch, Director of Development, International Forum for Understanding
Moderator: Tatiana Kotlyarenko, Anti-Trafficking Adviser, OSCE/ODIHR
ODIHR anti-trafficking work
ODIHR, active in preventing and combating trafficking in human beings in the OSCE region since 1999, has developed expertise in victim protection and the promotion of rights of trafficked persons and at-risk groups, focusing on the promotion of international human rights standards and gender sensitive measures in response to trafficking. ODIHR’s approach recognizes that trafficked persons are holders of rights and ensures that responses to human trafficking protect these rights, as is reflected in the ODIHR practical handbook, “National Referral Mechanisms - Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons” (NRM Handbook). Other ODIHR publications (see below) have provided guidance on international standards focusing on the rights of trafficking survivors. To promote inclusion of survivors’ lived experience and expertise across the OSCE region, ODIHR launched the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC) in 2021.
ODIHR addresses trafficking in human beings through an approach that is based on human rights, the rule of law, equality and non-discrimination, and is survivor-centred.