| 1.EU introduces the "Fighting trafficking
in human beings: an integrated approach and proposals for an action
plan"
At an October conference in Brussels, the EU Commission presented
its new communication entitled Fighting trafficking in human
beings-an integrated approach and proposals for an action plan.
The communication aims at further strengthening the commitment
of the EU and Member States to prevent and fight against trafficking
in persons. It further stresses the need for a human rights
centred approach in policies of the EU and Member States.
Commissioner Franco Frattini pointed out at the end of his
conference opening speech that: "Trafficked persons are
entitled to protection, assistance and redress in their own
rights, regardless of their willingness or capacity to press
charges and/or give testimony against their traffickers."
Opinion of the Experts group on trafficking in human beings
of the European Commission on the EU action plan can be found
in an attachment.
2. Responses to trafficking in persons in
West Africa
Two bilateral agreements on cooperation in fighting against
human trafficking were recently signed. In June 2005 Benin and
Nigeria signed an agreement that create a joint border patrol
team; any liberated trafficking victims shall be treated as
victims rather than criminals and set in place a common set
of procedures for repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration
of victims in their home community. Whilst Guinea and Mali signed
an agreement that seeks to foster greater collaboration on the
identification and prosecution of traffickers as well as facilitating
the repatriation of child victims. Objectives also include developing
common prevention and reintegration strategies.
In July 2005, a multi-lateral cooperation agreement on child
trafficking was adopted by 9 states: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote
d' Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia. Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.
In July 2005 Ghana passed the first comprehensive anti-trafficking
legislation.
In August 2005 Togo passed anti-child trafficking legislation.
For more information on West Africa please contact Anti-Slavery
International.
3.The Pope called for just treatment for
migrant women
In his message for the annual World Day for Migrants and
Refugees, the Pope Benedict XVI called for "just treatment
for migrant women" that often lack workers' rights and
protections in their employment as housekeepers, hotel maids,
or caregivers for the elderly or sick.
4. New ratifications and signatures of UN
Migrant Workers Convention
On 26 October 2005, Nicaragua ratified the UN Convention
on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members
of Their Families.
5. The US Senate gives consent to signature
of the UN Protocol
On October 7, 2005, the Senate of the United States of America
gave its consent to ratification of the UN Protocol to Prevent,
Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women
and Children. The protocol will now be returned for President
Bush's signature.
6. First court decision with reference to
UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime in Serbia
The Belgrade District Court convicted on September 30, 2005
three persons for the crime of trafficking in persons. It was
the first time that a Serbian court referred to the UN Convention
against Transnational Organised Crime and supplementing
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Human
Beings, Especially Women and Children.
7. Upcoming events
A conference
on Trafficking for Forced Labour will be organised on November
7-8, 2005 in Vienna by the OSCE.
A day of General Discussion focusing on the topic "Protecting
the rights of all migrant workers as a tool to enhance development"
will be held on 15 December 2005, during the third session of
the Committee on Migrant Workers at the United Nations Office
in Geneva.
8. New publications and reports
Anti-Slavery International has released two new publications.
Protocol
for Identification and Assistance to Trafficked in Persons and
Training Kit (available here as a PDF file, see bottom
of page about reading PDF files) is a manual
on identification of trafficked persons in practice. It aims
to provide basic information to those most likely encounter
trafficked persons and help them to make the difficult task
of identification easier. Child
domestic workers: A handbook on good practice in programme interventions.
This publication is meant for small and medium-sized NGOs seeking
ways to improve their programmes and projects, or add to their
existing portfolio of activities on behalf of child domestic
workers.
PICUM - the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented
Migrants released its report Ten Ways How to Protect Undocumented
Migrant Workers. The report presents detailed information
obtained from nearly 50 NGOs, trade unions, activists, migrant
workers and employers. The report can be ordered or downloaded
from http://www.picum.org.
EUROPOL has produced a report entitled Legislation
on Trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Immigration Smuggling
focusing on the sexual exploitation of women and child pornography
(available here as a PDF file, see bottom of page about
reading PDF files).
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