Experts' meeting develops recommendations to combat human trafficking in Kosovo
(Teun Voeten/Hollandse Hoogte, 1999)Victims of modern-day slavery: trafficked women in the Balkans. (Teun Voeten/Hollandse Hoogte, 1999) Photo details
PRISTINA, 22 October 2003 - An international conference concluded today in Kosovo with a call for the further development and co-ordination of services and resources to fight the modern form of slavery, trafficking in human beings.
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo was among the co-organizers of an event whose participants noted that initial steps have been taken to improve the efforts of governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations in Kosovo through the creation of an Action Plan to combat trafficking in human beings.
They also recognized that gaps and insufficient implementation exist in the current criminal justice system, as well as in providing of support and services to victims of trafficking. Recommendations will be compiled in the coming weeks into a Kosovo Action Plan to Combat Trafficking.
"What has to happen now in Kosovo is concrete results, an Action Plan that will fight trafficking, one of the most disturbing crimes," said Rolf van Uye, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, speaking at the conclusion of the two-day conference today.
"The OSCE will continue to work with the structures and responsible actors who are gaining more responsibility for these issues."
International experts presented a number of models and approaches in combating trafficking, including the legal process, services and support to victims, raising awareness of the problem and policy responses. The sharing of experiences and ideas was meant to assist in the development of a plan that recognizes the complexity of the issue and is tailored to local needs.
Paul Coffey, Director of the UN's Department of Justice noted that most of the victims of trafficking were women and children, while the ones who are in positions to take action in Kosovo are men. Victims should be seen as the focus of trafficking.
One of the clear messages from the conference is the need for co-ordination and partnership between governmental actors and local and international agencies to develop policy and mechanisms in response to protect victims.
"It is the duty of the society and of the local institutions to strive in applying international standards while developing locally rooted and sustainable responses to the fight against trafficking in human beings," said Pasquale Lupoli, Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kosovo.
This sentiment was echoed by Habit Hajredindaj, from the Prime Minister's Office on Good Governance: "Recommendations will be very fruitful for the endeavors that the government will undertake. Only with strong co-operation can we produce positive results in combating trafficking."
The event was jointly organized by the Centre for Protection of Women and Children, the Victim Advocacy and Assistance Unit in UNMiK's Department of Justice, the IOM, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Save the Children (Kosovo), the United Methodist Committee on Relief and UNICEF.
The OSCE Mission in Kosovo was among the co-organizers of an event whose participants noted that initial steps have been taken to improve the efforts of governmental institutions and non-governmental organizations in Kosovo through the creation of an Action Plan to combat trafficking in human beings.
They also recognized that gaps and insufficient implementation exist in the current criminal justice system, as well as in providing of support and services to victims of trafficking. Recommendations will be compiled in the coming weeks into a Kosovo Action Plan to Combat Trafficking.
"What has to happen now in Kosovo is concrete results, an Action Plan that will fight trafficking, one of the most disturbing crimes," said Rolf van Uye, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, speaking at the conclusion of the two-day conference today.
"The OSCE will continue to work with the structures and responsible actors who are gaining more responsibility for these issues."
International experts presented a number of models and approaches in combating trafficking, including the legal process, services and support to victims, raising awareness of the problem and policy responses. The sharing of experiences and ideas was meant to assist in the development of a plan that recognizes the complexity of the issue and is tailored to local needs.
Paul Coffey, Director of the UN's Department of Justice noted that most of the victims of trafficking were women and children, while the ones who are in positions to take action in Kosovo are men. Victims should be seen as the focus of trafficking.
One of the clear messages from the conference is the need for co-ordination and partnership between governmental actors and local and international agencies to develop policy and mechanisms in response to protect victims.
"It is the duty of the society and of the local institutions to strive in applying international standards while developing locally rooted and sustainable responses to the fight against trafficking in human beings," said Pasquale Lupoli, Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kosovo.
This sentiment was echoed by Habit Hajredindaj, from the Prime Minister's Office on Good Governance: "Recommendations will be very fruitful for the endeavors that the government will undertake. Only with strong co-operation can we produce positive results in combating trafficking."
The event was jointly organized by the Centre for Protection of Women and Children, the Victim Advocacy and Assistance Unit in UNMiK's Department of Justice, the IOM, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Save the Children (Kosovo), the United Methodist Committee on Relief and UNICEF.