OSCE Chairman, addressing U.S. Helsinki Commission, urges clampdown on human trafficking
(OSCE)OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy (left), with Ambassador Stefan Tafrov, at the United Nations in New York 25 February 2004.
(OSCE) Photo details
WASHINGTON, 26 February 2004 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, urged western countries on Thursday to launch a vigorous clampdown on human trafficking
In a speech to the United States Helsinki Commission, an independent federal agency in Washington, he said too little attention was given to countries of destination for this modern form of slavery.
"We must not forget that many of the women and young girls who fall victim to this barbarous trade end up in western cities - on the streets, in bars and night clubs, in brothels," the OSCE Chairman-in-Office said.
"I would like to see a concerted and high-profile campaign by all OSCE participating States to rescue victims and punish those who abuse them. A firm and persistent police clampdown on the work of traffickers in western cities would send a clear message to these criminal gangs that their evil work will not be tolerated."
In his address, Minister Passy said the 55-nation OSCE, which will be 10 years old this year, had lost none of its relevance in the 21st century.
With its unique comprehensive approach to security - stressing human rights and economic development as well as political-military issues - the OSCE is the only European security forum that includes the United States, Canada and all the countries of the former Soviet Union as full and equal members.
Since the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, the Organization had made the fight against terrorism a high priority.
"The work of the OSCE in fighting terrorism rarely makes headlines, but that does not diminish its importance," the Chairman-in-Office said.
"With the practical, pragmatic approach that is so characteristic of our Organization, we have concentrated our efforts on concrete areas where we can make a real difference - airport security, policing, secure travel documents, to name but a few."
Outlining the OSCE's increasing role in the field of policing, Minister Passy said.
"Policing is in some respects the perfect OSCE issue, bringing together security and human rights. An efficient, accountable police force that is trusted by the population it serves does not have to resort to brutality or torture to obtain information needed to solve crimes."
He praised the work of the OSCE's Senior Police Adviser Richard Monk, but added:
"I have to mention that Mr. Monk still does not have all the resources he needs to meet the demand for his team's policing expertise and I appeal to all participating States to give him the backing he deserves."
Despite the inevitable emphasis given to fighting terrorism, the Bulgarian OSCE Chairmanship would not neglect the human dimension of OSCE activities, the Minister said.
"On the contrary, it is the shared values - human and democratic - that underlie our comprehensive approach to security that make the OSCE unique. We must never stop championing these values."
The Chairman-in-Office briefed the Helsinki Commission - which is comprised of nine Senators, nine Representatives and one official each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce - on a number of regional issues in the OSCE area, including Georgia and Moldova.
He also expressed his personal view that the OSCE should reach out more into adjacent regions such as the Mediterranean and Asia, where its model of co-operative security could prove valuable.
"I believe we should be willing to offer our proven expertise in building democracy and promoting security to countries outside the OSCE," he said.
In a speech to the United States Helsinki Commission, an independent federal agency in Washington, he said too little attention was given to countries of destination for this modern form of slavery.
"We must not forget that many of the women and young girls who fall victim to this barbarous trade end up in western cities - on the streets, in bars and night clubs, in brothels," the OSCE Chairman-in-Office said.
"I would like to see a concerted and high-profile campaign by all OSCE participating States to rescue victims and punish those who abuse them. A firm and persistent police clampdown on the work of traffickers in western cities would send a clear message to these criminal gangs that their evil work will not be tolerated."
In his address, Minister Passy said the 55-nation OSCE, which will be 10 years old this year, had lost none of its relevance in the 21st century.
With its unique comprehensive approach to security - stressing human rights and economic development as well as political-military issues - the OSCE is the only European security forum that includes the United States, Canada and all the countries of the former Soviet Union as full and equal members.
Since the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, the Organization had made the fight against terrorism a high priority.
"The work of the OSCE in fighting terrorism rarely makes headlines, but that does not diminish its importance," the Chairman-in-Office said.
"With the practical, pragmatic approach that is so characteristic of our Organization, we have concentrated our efforts on concrete areas where we can make a real difference - airport security, policing, secure travel documents, to name but a few."
Outlining the OSCE's increasing role in the field of policing, Minister Passy said.
"Policing is in some respects the perfect OSCE issue, bringing together security and human rights. An efficient, accountable police force that is trusted by the population it serves does not have to resort to brutality or torture to obtain information needed to solve crimes."
He praised the work of the OSCE's Senior Police Adviser Richard Monk, but added:
"I have to mention that Mr. Monk still does not have all the resources he needs to meet the demand for his team's policing expertise and I appeal to all participating States to give him the backing he deserves."
Despite the inevitable emphasis given to fighting terrorism, the Bulgarian OSCE Chairmanship would not neglect the human dimension of OSCE activities, the Minister said.
"On the contrary, it is the shared values - human and democratic - that underlie our comprehensive approach to security that make the OSCE unique. We must never stop championing these values."
The Chairman-in-Office briefed the Helsinki Commission - which is comprised of nine Senators, nine Representatives and one official each from the Departments of State, Defense and Commerce - on a number of regional issues in the OSCE area, including Georgia and Moldova.
He also expressed his personal view that the OSCE should reach out more into adjacent regions such as the Mediterranean and Asia, where its model of co-operative security could prove valuable.
"I believe we should be willing to offer our proven expertise in building democracy and promoting security to countries outside the OSCE," he said.