OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings has no evidence of illegal organ transplantation in Ukraine

Following a report by Stimme Russlands Radio (“The OSCE stumbles upon illegal transplantation in Ukraine”) on 1 October 2014, alleging that “The OSCE Special Representative to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Madina Jarbussynova, confirmed this information on Ukrainian television and explained that the situation required a thorough investigation by international experts.” and a documentary broadcast by NTV channel on 5 October 2014,  stating that “the OSCE Special Representative to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Madina Jarbussynova, speculated that the organs had been removed for sale.”, the OSCE Special Representative  and Co-ordinator for  Combating Trafficking in Human Beings wishes to make the following statement:

During the September session of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM), two Russian NGOs cited reports about the possible removal and sale of human organs in Eastern Ukraine. In response to this, the Ukrainian government representative stated that these allegations would be investigated as soon as it becomes possible to gain greater access to the region.

Ambassador Jarbussynova cited this in her interview with Ukraine 112 television on Monday 29 September 2014. Her remarks were subsequently taken out of context in the Russian media.  

The OSCE does not possess any evidence regarding possible organ harvesting in Eastern Ukraine.  The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings therefore does not confirm that any illegal organ transplantation has taken place in Ukraine, nor would she speculate on such accusations.  Furthermore, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine has to date seen no evidence of organ trafficking in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.