OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine supports study visit to Serbia on mechanisms to help trafficking victims

KYIV, 7 July 2011 – Ten representatives from Ukrainian governmental and non-governmental agencies learned about Serbia’s experience with implementing a  national referral mechanism to help human trafficking victims through an OSCE- supported study trip to the country that concluded today.

Representatives from Ukraine’s Ministries of Social Policy and Interior, regional Services for Family, Youth and Sports, the State Social Service and non-governmental organizations involved in assisting trafficked persons took part in the visit. They learned about existing practices of identifying, referring and assisting victims of trafficking in Serbia, with a special focus on approaches, co-ordination mechanisms and practical management of the practices.

"The study visit to Serbia, where the national referral mechanism is already well-established, is an opportunity to hear about best practices and lessons learned in order to finalize the process of adoption of the national referral mechanism in Ukraine," said Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

The four-day visit was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine as part of its project on “Development of a National Referral Mechanism in Ukraine” funded by Australia, Denmark, Ireland, and Liechtenstein, and supported by the OSCE Mission in Serbia.