OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine holds meeting to support fight against human trafficking

KYIV, 24 October 2008 - Promoting co-operation between Ukrainian authorities and Kyiv-based embassies and consulates to fight human trafficking was the purpose of a meeting organized in Kyiv today by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine.

Consular officials and diplomats from 20 OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation and Ukrainian Government representatives discussed co-ordination of anti-trafficking efforts, including support abroad for Ukrainians who could potentially be trafficking victims and prosecution of traffickers. Participants also developed a mechanism for closer co-operation between consular services and Ukrainian authorities in the fight against human trafficking.

Lubomir Kopaj, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator, said the meeting was organized as part of the office's work to help Ukraine implement the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, which says immigration authorities and consular and diplomatic personnel should be informed about trafficking risks so that they can use this knowledge in their daily contacts with potential victims.

"By working together with Ukrainian authorities and foreign embassies here in Ukraine, we are helping consular sections reduce the risk for trafficking and exploitation, something that has become part of life for many Ukrainian women, men and children," he said.

The meeting was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in co-operation with the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and the Canadian Embassy in Ukraine. This was the sixth such event organized with the support of Canadian Embassy.