News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Representative Richey commends Spain for commitments and efforts in combating human trafficking and recommends new measures to curb demand
Publishing date: 3 March 2021
MADRID, 3 March 2021 – Spain is stepping up its commitment and efforts in combating human trafficking. This is a great example of how a country can mobilize when the issue of trafficking is elevated to a political priority, said the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Valiant Richey, at the high-level first international seminar on trafficking in human beings in Madrid...
OSCE Compendium Database, an easy way to access information on prevention of labour exploitation in supply chains, now accessible online
Publishing date: 16 February 2021
On 15 February 2021, the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, published an interactive online database, compendium of relevant reference materials and resources on ethical sourcing and prevention of trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation in supply chains...
OSCE human rights office launches survivors’ advisory council to strengthen fight against trafficking in human beings
Publishing date: 25 January 2021
WARSAW, 25 January 2020 – Recognizing the vital importance of reflecting the experience and knowledge of survivors in all endeavours to combat human trafficking, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has launched the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC) to assist countries across the OSCE region increase and improve their anti-trafficking efforts...
OSCE official praises Finland’s reforms to counter human trafficking and encourages further efforts on victim identification and prosecution
Publishing date: 3 September 2020
VIENNA, 3 September 2020 – The OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Valiant Richey, wrapped up a series of two-day online consultations with high-level officials of Finland today. He concluded that the Finnish Government is demonstrating strong political initiative to combat trafficking but needs to increase its efforts to counter impunity and identify victims, particularly children and those exploited online.
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: High-level OSCE officials urge States to redouble efforts, especially amid backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic
Publishing date: 30 July 2020
VIENNA / WASHINGTON, D.C. / WARSAW, 30 July 2020- On the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons today, high-level OSCE officials have highlighted the need to redouble efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly against the backdrop of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic...
Alliance Conference: OSCE high-level officials urge States to triple number of prosecutions against human traffickers within the next three years
Publishing date: 22 July 2020
VIENNA, 22 July 2020 – To reverse the alarming fall in the number of prosecutions for human trafficking in recent years, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council Ambassador Igli Hasani and the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey today called on the Organization’s 57 participating States to triple the number of prosecutions for this crime within the next three years...
Prosecute human traffickers and deliver justice to victims: OSCE Alliance Conference against Trafficking in Persons calls for an end to impunity
Publishing date: 20 July 2020
VIENNA, 20 July 2020 – Identifying effective ways to improve the prosecution of human traffickers is the focus of the 20th high-level OSCE Alliance Conference against Trafficking in Persons, which opened today in Vienna...