Combating child trafficking in focus of OSCE-supported roundtable discussion in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 31 May 2016 – To mark International Children’s Day on 1 June, the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry in co-ordination with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek organized a roundtable discussion on child trafficking, bringing together 25 representatives of state agencies, parliament, international organizations, civil society and the media.    

The event aimed at improving co-ordination and co-operation among all organizations dealing with child trafficking issues and working out recommendations for preventing trafficking in children.

“Without a comprehensive approach covering the legal, education and law enforcement systems, as well as guardianship authorities - government actions to prevent trafficking in children will have a limited impact,” said Silvia Pogolsa, Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The participants also discussed the current situation on crimes against children, existing state policies, necessary improvements in the legal framework, and the level of implementation of existing laws. Two human rights non-governmental organizations shared their experience and challenges in preventing child trafficking in Kyrgyzstan.

“A society with happy children and elderly can be considered as a healthy one”, said Jyldyz Akhmedgalieva, representative of the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry. “Crimes against those who are defenceless are always painful, even if these are isolated cases. We stand for the strengthening of accountability for crimes against children.”

The participants decided to have a follow-up meeting based on the results of this event, which was part of the OSCE Centre’s project on supporting a comprehensive model of prevention in addressing human trafficking in Kyrgyzstan through grassroots initiatives and multi-agency co-operation.