KYIV, 8 April 2015 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, stressed the importance of raising awareness about human trafficking among monitors from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) at the end of a two-day training designed to improve their ability to spot this heinous crime.
“I am gravely concerned by the potential implications of the current situation on regional trends in human trafficking,” Jarbussynova said. “It is essential to instruct our staff about how to monitor and report on this threat.”
The United Nations’ refugee agency UNHCR recently reported that there were more than 1.8 million internally displaced persons and refugees abroad as a result of the crisis in and around Ukraine. This human tragedy has widespread social and economic implications. As families and individuals are uprooted and impoverished they can easily fall prey to traffickers.
“It is vital to improve human security in the region and enhance capacities to monitor the situation on the ground,” the Special Representative said. “That is why I plan to travel frequently to Ukraine to engage with high-level authorities and contribute to building trust among relevant stakeholders and prevent an increase in trafficking in human beings.”
More than 20 monitors deployed throughout the country attended the training course, which included presentations by Jarbussynova and several other OSCE staff as well as representatives from Ukraine’s Government and NGOs.
The Special Representative also held separate meetings with Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, the Chief Monitor of the SMM, and Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya.
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