Press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

VIENNA, 29 June 2011 - The following is a press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on 29 June. The views expressed in this press release do not necessarily reflect those of the OSCE Chairmanship, nor of all OSCE participating States.

Serbian MP to focus international attention on organ trafficking

Resolution seeks international investigation into crimes in Kosovo, Metohija

COPENHAGEN, 29 June 2011 – A resolution proposed by Serbian MP Suzana Grubjesic and now pending at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly would recommend the urgent undertaking of an international investigation into organ trafficking crimes committed in Kosovo and Metohija.

“Human trafficking alone is one of the most severe crimes against humanity, but trafficking in human organs takes this crime to an extreme form,” Grubjesic said. “This resolution should lead to closer cooperation among our countries to prosecute the thugs who profit from this horrific crime.”

As head of the Serbian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Grubjesic has organized a special event entitled “Combating Illicit Trade in Human Organs” on Saturday, 9 July at 13.30 at the Sava Centre to highlight this issue among the 250 parliamentarians in Belgrade for the Annual Session. Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Grubjesic will speak at the event.

The resolution, cosponsored by 41 parliamentarians from 17 countries, also calls for closer international cooperation to combat organized crime rings who deal in trafficking of human organs.

The resolution will be considered for inclusion in the Assembly’s Belgrade Declaration, which helps shape OSCE and national policy. Parliamentarians from more than 50 countries will vote on the resolution and declaration in Belgrade.

The Belgrade Annual Session, including committee debates and votes, are open to the press and public. The session runs 6-10 July 2011. For more information on the Annual Session, click here.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 320 parliamentarians from 55 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international cooperation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.