Positive signals regarding funding of anti-trafficking action plan
(OSCE)Europe's borders are often crossed legally by victims of trafficking. (OSCE) Photo details
VIENNA, 27 April 2001 - At today's Vienna meeting of the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, positive signals were given by OSCE participating States regarding the funding of the Proposed Multiyear Anti-Trafficking Action Plan for South Eastern Europe. The Action Plan received overall support from the participants in the meeting.
It was indicated that sufficient financing will be found to meet the requirements of the Task Force's Action Plan. A donors' co-ordinating meeting will be held in the near future - no date specified yet - in order to prepare a donors' conference. The first concrete pledge was given at today's meeting - 150,000 US$ from the Austrian Government for a shelter for victims of trafficking to be established in Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In his opening statement today, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, underlined that the credibility of the Task Force is closely linked to the funding of the Action Plan.
Trafficking in human beings is one of the most urgent and rapidly increasing human rights problems in South-Eastern Europe, as well as in other OSCE participating States. Every year, thousands of people, mainly women, are trafficked and held in slavery-like conditions. It has become one of the world's most profitable businesses, with international criminal organizations and others profiting from the trafficking activities. Women and children are particularly vulnerable at-risk groups.
To address this problem, the Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe was established in 2000. Dr Helga Konrad, former Austrian Minister for Women's Issues, chairs the Task Force on behalf of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: [email protected]
It was indicated that sufficient financing will be found to meet the requirements of the Task Force's Action Plan. A donors' co-ordinating meeting will be held in the near future - no date specified yet - in order to prepare a donors' conference. The first concrete pledge was given at today's meeting - 150,000 US$ from the Austrian Government for a shelter for victims of trafficking to be established in Belgrade, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In his opening statement today, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, underlined that the credibility of the Task Force is closely linked to the funding of the Action Plan.
Trafficking in human beings is one of the most urgent and rapidly increasing human rights problems in South-Eastern Europe, as well as in other OSCE participating States. Every year, thousands of people, mainly women, are trafficked and held in slavery-like conditions. It has become one of the world's most profitable businesses, with international criminal organizations and others profiting from the trafficking activities. Women and children are particularly vulnerable at-risk groups.
To address this problem, the Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe was established in 2000. Dr Helga Konrad, former Austrian Minister for Women's Issues, chairs the Task Force on behalf of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
For further information contact the Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180 or e-mail: [email protected]