Ukrainian and Greek officials discuss ways of fighting human trafficking

KYIV, 29 January 2001 - The establishment of a network for the repatriation of victims of human trafficking, as well as co-operation in the fight against organized crime were discussed in Athens last week by representatives of the Ukrainian Government and their Greek counterparts. The discussions were part of a five-day study visit of Ukrainian officials, 22-26 January, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The Ukrainian delegation met with the Greek Ministers of Public Order, Labour, and Justice, as well as representatives of other government agencies, and discussed the necessity of establishing a network for the repatriation of Ukrainian victims of trafficking.

Greece has approximately 600 000 illegal immigrants, who after their detection are deported back to their home countries. At present, there is no special mechanism for differentiating between illegal immigrants and victims of trafficking. It was one of the main tasks of the Ukrainian delegation, as well as the representatives of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the IOM, to discuss with Greek authorities the importance of such mechanisms.

If perceived as victims of trafficking and organized criminal activity - and protected as such - they can give testimonies against the traffickers. This would be a big step forward in the prosecution of traffickers and in the fight against this kind of organized crime.

The Greek and Ukrainian sides agreed on the development of a mechanism for protecting victims of trafficking and assisting in their repatriation, and co-operation and co-ordination in the prosecution of traffickers.

A bilateral agreement between these two states will be elaborated and signed in April 2001 during the visit of the Ukrainian Prime Minister, Mr. Viktor Juschchenko, in Athens.

One of the tasks of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine is to assist the Ukrainian authorities in combating trafficking in human beings.

For more information, please contact Ms. Cordula Wohlmuther, Project Officer, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, 8/24 Dimitrivska St., 01054, Kyiv, Ukraine, tel.: (+380-44) 219 16 87, fax: (+380-44) 246 88 26, e-mail:osce@osce.kiev.ua

The position of OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine was established in June 1999 to initiate a new form of co-operation between Ukraine and the OSCE. Projects to promote OSCE principles and commitments are carried out with relevant governmental and non-governmental bodies of Ukraine.