OSCE presents review of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s anti-trafficking legislation

SARAJEVO, 17 June 2011 – A review of anti-trafficking legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina was presented in Sarajevo at an event hosted by the OSCE Mission today.

The review, which examines the country’s laws in relation to the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and other international standards, was prepared by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Council of Europe, with support from the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the State Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

“Every human being deserves the rights enshrined within the Convention, and the OSCE has long made it a priority to assist governments in combating human trafficking,” said Ambassador Gary D. Robbins, the Head of OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina has come a long way in combating this terrible practice and in bringing its legislation and mechanisms into line with Convention requirements, and the Mission here will continue to support this process, since additional progress is essential.”

The Convention is the first internationally binding legislative instrument to affirm that human trafficking is not only a violation of human rights but is also an offence to the dignity and integrity of human beings.

This event, requested by the State Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, is an important step in preparation for the recently commenced monitoring of the state obligations under the CoE Convention.

The review points to areas for improvement in law and in practice and provides a roadmap for the authorities to direct their future efforts.

The entire Review of Legislation Pertaining to Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Bosnia Herzegovina can be downloaded at http://www.oscebih.org/documents/osce_bih_doc_2011061709155196eng.pdf.