News and press releases

VIENNA, 15 March 2022 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey today called together the anti-trafficking authorities from 17 OSCE participating States, including the ones most affected by the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The meeting focused on the risks of human trafficking amid the current crisis and measures being taken to address vulnerabilities of people on the move and to prevent trafficking.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 15 March 2022 launched its latest report titled “Ensuring Justice for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings: Response of the Criminal Justice System in BiH, with recommendations” in Sarajevo and online.

VIENNA, 10 March 2022 – Unprecedented numbers of people seeking refuge from armed violence in Ukraine are arriving in many OSCE participating States. These people, mostly women and children, face risks of human trafficking, including sexual and labour exploitation, during their journey or upon arrival in a destination country.

An OSCE-supported series of seminars on the identification of victims of human trafficking and the investigation of criminal cases related to human trafficking was held in West Kazakhstan, Mangistau and Atyrau provinces from 15 to 22 February.

VIENNA, 15 February 2022 – Trafficking in human beings has dramatically changed since it was first recognized as a crime 20 years ago. Today technology is a centerpiece of the human trafficking business model and 75% of sex trafficking victims are advertised online. However, legislation addressing trafficking has not kept pace. Addressing this gap is at the heart of a new study a new OSCE study on policy responses to technology-facilitated trafficking in human beings, which was presented at a virtual launch event held today.

A roundtable discussion on forced begging and labor exploitation in the Central Asian context concluded on 28 January 2022. The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the online event in partnership with the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office.

VIENNA / LONDON / NEW YORK, 2 December 2021 – Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Dame Sara Thornton, United Kingdom Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) and Daniel Thelesklaf, Project Director of Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (FAST) Initiative at United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, issued the following statement after the conclusion of a roundtable on the critical role of the financial sector in combating trafficking in human beings and modern-day slavery: