OSCE Special Representative makes recommendations on human trafficking to Canada
The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Maria Grazia Giammarinaro addressed the Government of Canada with recommendations aimed at advancing anti-trafficking action on 15 March 2012.
During her first visit to Canada in August 2011, the Special Representative discussed with authorities the legislative and policy responses to human trafficking, particularly in the area of labour exploitation. She identified Canada’s longstanding multiculturalism and integration policies as important preventive measures to reduce migrant workers’ vulnerabilities to trafficking.
The Special Representative recommends to the Government to build on existing good practices to enhance concerted institutional and civil society action, in the form of a national action plan, to be developed in consultation with NGOs.
She commends the Canadian regulation on residence permits, which provides for residence status and assistance to trafficking victims unconditionally, and recommends enhancing efforts to identify trafficking cases and support victims, especially in the field of labour exploitation.
Another recommendation is to strengthen the criminal justice response through increased capacity building among law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities.
Appreciating the high level of commitment of the Canadian Government to the issue of human trafficking, the Special Representative looks forward to the follow-up to the recommendations.