Georgia takes new steps to tackle human trafficking

The anti-trafficking law

In June 2006, following a series of OSCE-supported discussions, Georgia passed its Law on Combating Human Trafficking. The new law called for a permanent agency to improve co-ordination among government bodies and helped to clarify their roles.

Led by the General Prosecutor, the new Interagency Coordination Council created by the law works to improve services that help rehabilitate victims, and in November, it approved a new referral mechanism.

A state fund to compensate and provide shelter for victims has also been created, which has set up two "mobile groups" for western and eastern Georgia to meet with potential and actual victims, and provide them with emergency medical assistance. In July 2006, it set up a shelter for ten people in western Georgia and is planning another in the east.

"The new law is a major step forward in establishing the conditions that victims need to rebuild their lives," says Guillaume Siemienski, Head of the Human Dimension Office at the OSCE Mission to Georgia.

Moving towards implementation

Giorgi Chkheidze, who chairs the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA), says the law is quite advanced. "It has taken into account the experiences of other countries such as Italy, the Netherlands and Ukraine.

"Punishment for convicted traffickers has become much stricter," he adds.

The OSCE set up a working group of experts from GYLA, international organizations, the General Prosecutor's Office, and the Ministries of Justice and Interior to draft amendments to the law, which are now being discussed in Parliament.

"We are adapting to a new stage in anti-trafficking work," says Ia Dadunashvili, Democratization Officer at the OSCE Mission. "While we previously focused on legal assistance, we are now promoting victims' rights and their access to justice, as well as following individual cases."

The Mission also aims to build internal capacity. December 2006 marked the end of the country's first two-year action plan to combat trafficking, which was drafted with the help of OSCE experts. The authorities are currently drafting a new two-year plan independently.

Looking ahead

The OSCE has recently launched an 18-month anti-trafficking programme in the Adjaria region of western Georgia, a major transit point for victims from and going through Georgia. Most of them end up in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey or other countries on the Black Sea coast.

The programme, which is funded by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, aims to set up a support mechanism for victims, providing them with shelter, financial help and other means of support. The Mission will select and monitor projects proposed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as prevention and public awareness campaigns, victim support initiatives and training workshops.

Co-operation is key

"The sustainability of the victim support mechanism will depend on co-operation between local state actors and civil society representatives," says the OSCE's Siemienski. "Continued government funding for a new victim identification group in western Georgia is also crucial."

Snaring traffickers, who typically operate across international borders, is especially challenging. The OSCE therefore also aims to establish a regional network of NGOs in Georgia, Ukraine and Turkey to share experiences and co-ordinate efforts.

"Important developments have taken place in this field", says Dadunashvili. "For example, efforts to establish regional co-operation have already led to bilateral agreements.

"And within the framework of the Interagency Coordination Council, bigger plans - such as a new strategy for the rehabilitation, and social and economic integration of victims - are being discussed," she adds.