OSCE: Human trafficking has increased considerably due to the war in eastern Ukraine
The OSCE’s Special Representative and Coordinator to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, announced at a press briefing that the war in eastern Ukraine has led to a significant increase in the number of people who find themselves in human trafficking networks.
"Ukraine remains a country of origin, transit and the country of those who fall into the hands of traffickers. The crisis in Ukraine only increased the number of people who are at risk and end up in trafficking networks,” Jarbussynova stated.
According to her, the police have helped to discover the organizers of human trafficking, but in general the measures taken in Ukraine are not enough.
Jarbussynova is currently on a week-long official visit to Ukraine to raise awareness of human trafficking threats in the country.
Speaking ahead of last week’s World Anti-Trafficking Day, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Michael Georg Link stressed the need for a comprehensive, coordinated and victim-centered approach to combat human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a grave violation of the human rights of its victims – human beings who are exploited, most often for profit… A victim-centered approach, placing the protection of all human rights at the heart of efforts to prevent and end trafficking, is essential if we are to ensure that anti-trafficking measures do not further threaten the safety, dignity and rights of those we are responsible to help and protect,” Link stated.