OSCE Project Co-ordinator supports development of comprehensive anti-trafficking law in Ukraine

KYIV, 30 June 2009 - A public hearing on Ukraine's draft law on combating human trafficking, drafted with assistance of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (OSCE PCU), was held in Kyiv today.

The Ukrainian Ministry for Family, Youth and Sports, which lead the development of the law, moderated the public hearing, attended by some 70 representatives of central governmental bodies, the legislature, non-governmental organizations and the media.

The draft law establishes a comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking in compliance with international norms and standards as stipulated in the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, adopted in 2003.

The Ukrainian draft law proposes ways to strengthen anti-trafficking co-ordination, monitoring and reporting mechanisms. It also provides clear division of roles and responsibilities of state and non-governmental actors and outlines measures to prevent and prosecute human trafficking and protect victims. Special emphasis is made on addressing trafficking in children and introducing liability for using the services or labor of trafficked persons.

"The draft law provides solid background for various stakeholders to join efforts in combating human trafficking," said Rene BeBeau, Senior Project Manager at the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. "It suggests a number of provisions, which, if adopted, will help Ukraine to implement its international commitments in accordance with the rule of law and human rights principles."

Ella Lamakh, Family Department Director at Ukraine's Minister for Family, Youth and Sport, said that Ukraine needs legislation which will guarantee not only prosecution of traffickers, but that also elaborates on preventive measures and provides state assistance to trafficking victims.

"This draft touches upon very important issues which are not yet covered by the Ukrainian legislation. We strive to fill in this gap," he said.

The public hearing is part of an OSCE PCU project supported by the Danish Foreign Ministry as part of the Danish Programme against Human Trafficking in Eastern and South Eastern Europe.