Mr. Chairperson,

The delegation of Ukraine warmly welcomes the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova back to the Permanent Council and thanks her for the presented report on her activities.

Ukraine strongly supports the mandate of the OSCE SR/CTHB designed to foster our collective efforts of combating human trafficking and to assist the participating States in the implementation of the respective commitments.

Over the years, the OSCE has established itself at the forefront of the international fight against human trafficking, including through adoption of a number of respective Ministerial Council Decisions. In 2013 during Ukraine’s OSCE Chairmanship a particular focus was placed on developing national and global partnerships as an indispensable pillar of our collective response which was duly reflected in the adopted Addendum to the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings. 

At the same what is witnessed is a significant evolution of forms of trafficking in persons in various parts of the OSCE area and beyond, which requires a deepened knowledge of these criminal practices and an upgraded OSCE response.

In this connection we very much welcome the adoption of two relevant Ministerial Council Decisions in Vienna last week, strengthening our efforts in eradicating human trafficking, promoting justice and accountability, and in the protection of victims. Among various pertinent aspects, the recognition of the role of effective border security and management among important elements of prevention of trafficking in human beings requires enhanced synergy of efforts between the Special Representative and the TNT Department of the OSCE Secretariat. In the same vein, we encourage enhanced interaction between the Special Representative and the OSCE Co-ordinator for Economic and Environmental Activities in the pursuit of efforts to identify and eradicate abusive and fraudulent recruitment and employment practices which can lead to trafficking for labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, forced criminality, or other forms of trafficking. We hope that these areas for combining efforts of different OSCE actors will be duly reflected in the activities of the Special Representative.

 

Mr. Chairperson,

In conclusion, we wish Ambassador M.Jarbussynova and her able team success in their future activities.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.