MENU
Documenting
war crimes in Ukraine

The Tribunal for Putin (T4P) global initiative was set up in response to the all-out war launched by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022.

Human rights in Ukraine – 2007. 20. The main human rights violations linked with human trafficking

27.07.2008   

  [1]

Human trafficking remained no less of a burning issue in 2007 than in the previous year. The lack of coordinated and purposeful action by government bodies on carrying out State policy in this area remained a serious problem.

Human trafficking: new trends

The number of cases of internal trafficking is on the increase.[2].  The problem is not given sufficient attention and government structures lack experience in this area. It is difficult to assess the scale of the problem due to lack of information.

There is no single consolidated database providing statistics regarding the number of human trafficking victims. The law enforcement agencies have official figures about the number of victims whom they register in the course of criminal investigations however these figures do not include cases which were not documented. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and those providing social services keep separate statistics for people given assistance who are not always recorded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA0.

According to data from the MIA Department on Combating Human Trafficking, in 2005 446 trafficking victims were identified and returned to Ukraine, these including 39 children. In 2006 393 victims were recorded, with 52 of them children. During the first nine months of 2007, 337 victims of human trafficking had been identified and returned to Ukraine, including 52 children. At present the Department and its regional subdivisions are processing 600 investigations initiated over cases of human trafficking. Since 1998 there have been around 2, 000 crimes of such a nature registered.

  IOM statistics on assistance given to trafficking victims indicates that the main destination countries are Russia, Turkey, Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy and the United Arab Emirates. In total 937 people were helped in 2006 and 847 in the first nine months of 2007.  In 2006 50 children taken out of the country were identified and returned to Ukraine, and 41 in the first nine months of 2007. In the main this was from Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

“La Strada – Ukraine” Centre data also indicates the popularity of these countries.[3]  In 2007 the Centre assisted 183 people (72 adults and 11 children).

From 2001 to October 2007 the civic movement “Faith, Hope, Love” in the Odessa region found 725 trafficking victims, 275 of whom were from Ukraine; 382 from Moldova; 22 from Kyrgyzstan; 7 from Kazakhstan; 19 from Uzbekistan, 16 from Russia, 3 from Belarus and 1 from Georgia. In 2005 148 victims were identified, in 2006 94 including 4 children. Over the first nine months of 2007 69 victims were identified.

 

State policy on combating human trafficking: a brief overview

The draft of the Government anti-trafficking programme for 2006–2010 was drawn up through the joint efforts of civic organizations, interested ministries and departments in the middle of 2005 however it was only passed by the Cabinet of Ministers on 7 March 2007. In the process of being agreed in the ministries, extremely important measures disappeared from the programme, especially in the part about government efforts on providing assistance to victims and monitoring work.

On 5 March 2007 the Cabinet of Ministers passed Resolution No. 1087 creating an Interdepartmental Council on the Family, Gender Equality, Demographic Development and Combating Human Trafficking.[4]  The same resolution suspended the work of the previous Interdepartmental Coordination Council on Combating Human Trafficking set up by the Cabinet of Ministers in December 2002. The new council, headed by the Minister of the Family, Youth and Sport, was supposed to be a permanent consultative and advisory body under the auspices of the Cabinet of Ministers. A Cabinet of Ministers Resolution approved the makeup of the Council and allowed for the possibility of involving in its work leading scholars, practical specialists, representatives of enterprises, State institutions, nongovernmental organizations and various funds, including international ones.

Even the above-mentioned name of the consultative advisory body makes it clear that it is not capable of functioning. Just in 2007 its meeting demonstrated the lack of coordination of the activities of its members, the lack of any idea of the management as to adequate formats for its work, objectives, tasks and results. However the Cabinet of Ministers has not accepted such criticism and has ignored proposals from civic organizations on changes. To bring the system of coordination into line with standards of good governance, we need only the political will of the Cabinet of Ministers since the opinion of experts on the need for change is unanimous.

With the adoption of the Government Programme, the regions were also supposed to draw up (or review already existing) regional anti-trafficking programmes. Representatives of the Ministry on the Family, Youth and Sport in an interview stated that at present around 20 regional programmes had been adopted.[5].

A comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking allows for the prosecution of those who assist or commit such crimes, the prevention of human trafficking and defence of the rights of trafficking victims.[6]

  We will consider in greater depth prevention of trafficking and protection of its victims.

 

Prevention of human trafficking

The Ministry of Education and Science issued Order №279 from 4 April 2007 “On implementing Cabinet of Ministers Resolution №410 from 7 March 2007 «On approving the Government Anti-trafficking Programme up till 2010”. However there are problems in following implementation, monitoring and recording all the work carried out at local level since in response to questions regarding implementation of the Government Programme, the Ministry of Education fails to provide comprehensive information about the activities of educational institutions and offices of the Department of Education. Practical experience makes it possible to speak of considerably greater achievements of offices of the Department of Education and educational institutions.

Work with children of labour migrants

  In 2006 the “La Strada – Ukraine” Centre organized a study entitled “The Problems of Children of Labour Migrants: an Analysis of the Situation”. The study showed the need to work with this group of children.  

“La Strada – Ukraine” therefore approached the Ministry of Education and Science [MES] to consolidate work in this sphere. The Ministry issued Order № 865 from 28 December 2008 “On socio-pedagogical and psychological work with children of labour migrants”, and information material for holding regional seminars, monitoring the use of materials, and the organization of a national seminar on this subject. The work was continued as part of the next MES Order №1176 from 25 December 2007 “On organizing and running socio-pedagogical work with children of labour migrants in 2008”.

 

Protection of victims of human trafficking

Provision of assistance to victims of human trafficking remains a serious problem. The difficulty with providing comprehensive assistance means that one organization is unable to do everything by itself. It is for this reason that international organizations, in the first instance, OSCE, recommend creating and developing national referral mechanisms (NRM) for victims which can play a vital role in ensuring proper defence of trafficking victims’ rights. NRM are seen as a mechanism for cooperation within the framework of which State institutions fulfil their commitments to defend the rights of victims, as well as coordinating efforts in strategic partnership with civic society.[7]

This problem is very serious and demonstrates that human trafficking is not just a violation of human rights in itself, as we discussed in detail in last year’s report, but also creates the conditions for violations of the rights of victims and, in some cases, members of their families. This involves the right to privacy, to healthcare, to defence and a fair examination of ones case, the right to freedom from violence and ill-treatment, and others.

The situation with assistance to trafficking victims is extremely poor. The problem is also that Ukraine is more and more frequently identified not only as a country of origin of victims of human trafficking, but also as a transit or destination country. The provisions of the Government Anti-trafficking Programme are focused on Ukrainian nationals, and there are no special provisions for procedure to repatriate or provide social inclusion for trafficking victims from other countries, providing for their requirements for protection and assistance while in Ukraine[8]. As a rule, it is people from Moldova or Uzbekistan who suffering from human trafficking in Ukraine.

The Law “On ensuring the safety of people taking part in criminal court proceedings” envisages the right of victims to enjoy safety measures if they are participating in the criminal process.[9]. In practice, however, such legal mechanisms are either not applied at all in the case of trafficking victims, or used extremely rarely.

Preliminary identification of victims at border crossings

The identification of probably victims of human trafficking is the basis of any NRM, and the complex nature of the crime makes this a lengthy process. In Ukraine, likely victims of trafficking are in the first instance identified by law enforcement agencies, as well as those providing social services, including NGOs. In Chernivtsi, for example, only 5-7% of trafficking victims identified by nongovernmental organizations turn to the law enforcement agencies.[10]  Contact with likely trafficking victims is established as the result of a whole range of measures.

We can cite the example of the process of identifying trafficking victims among people deported via the sea port of Odessa. Law enforcement personnel in the Odessa region report that as a rule they receive lists of people deported from Turkey in advance. The Turkish migration institutions mark out separately the names of women deported for prostitution. A representative of the Regional Department of the SBU [Security Service] meets with these women. Likely victims of trafficking are referred to the Regional Anti-Trafficking Department of the MIA. If the SBU and police agree that the person is a victim of human trafficking, they send her to the NGO “Faith, Hope, Love”. The next day the NGO informs the law enforcement agencies whether the person is willing to talk to the police. Most of the victims do not have registration in Odessa.  However, if they are really to give evidence, this information is passed to the relevant Regional Department of the SBU. Among those deported there are people who have been trafficking victims in Turkey however the Turkish official authorities did not identify them as victims[11].

The present system for providing assistance to trafficking victims is mainly financed by international organizations, in particular the IOM. The network of social institutions takes virtually no part in this system. According to IOM figures, it finances approximately 95% of all assistance programmes for trafficking victims in Ukraine.[12].  It would be difficult to overestimate the importance of the Kyiv Medical Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Human Trafficking, founded and funded by IOM. According to representatives of NGOs, the Centre provides comprehensive and specialized medical assistance on the basis of confidentiality. This institution is the only one of its kind in Ukraine and accepts clients from all regions of the country.

In the Lviv region all institutions involved in combating human trafficking also refer identified victims to the NGO “Women’s prospects” which can place them in their shelter. The shelter is intended for 6 women and 1 child. If necessary, the NGO can rent a flat for male victims, with the cost being covered by the IOM. The NGO can also send trafficking victims to other institutions, for example, the “Salyus” Centre.

In the Khmelnytsy region trafficking victims identified by the Employment Centre and Regional Anti-Trafficking Department are sent to the organization “Caritas”.

The problem of compensation for victims of human trafficking

Compensation for damages incurred by victims remains a difficult problem. Legislative provisions on compensation in accordance with Articles 22 and 23 of the Civil Code are only applied in the case of people declared victims of a crime in accordance with Article 49 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).  Pursuant to Article 28 of the CPC, victims of human trafficking can lodge a civil claim within the framework of an investigation into a criminal matter.  If a person has not done this, s/he may lodge a claim under civil proceedings. . Representatives of the law enforcement agencies say that during the pre-trial investigation stage victims of trafficking are, as a rule, informed about their right to make a claim for moral or material compensation. Representatives of other departments, however, suggest that in the majority of cases they are not told of this possibility.  There is a general problem with receiving qualified legal assistance since sometimes lawyers lack the time to give clients a good level of advice.  

The reasons why compensation claims are not lodged include the inadequacy or total lack of legal assistance for victims, not being certain of ones chances for receiving compensation, or fear of reprisals from the criminals. According to law enforcement officers, most human traffickers do not have the money or property registered in their name. Moral damages are also usually not paid since without assistance these are hard to estimate. Another problem is in the courts since the procedure for court examination takes too long and the investigators need to prove that the victims experienced moral damage and suffering. One can in general state that the current mechanisms for receiving compensation are excessively complicated.[13].

The Ministry of Justice attempted to draw up and submit to Parliament a draft law on compensation which proposed creating a compensation fund for victims of crimes linked with violence. The idea was that the victims would be able to get compensation in the form of State social assistance. However as of yet, this initiative has not come to fruition.

A joint project run by the American Association of Bar Lawyers and IOM (financed by the EU and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) on “Confiscation of assets as the source of financing of assistance to victims of human trafficking and anti-trafficking work in Ukraine” was recently concluded. The project thoroughly investigated the possibility of creating an assistance fund for human trafficking victims or a compensation fund which could resolve the problem of paying compensation to victims, social assistance to traffic victims and finance an anti-trafficking programme.  The fund would guarantee the right of victims to receive assistance from the State. The project suggested specific measures for improving legislation and compensation mechanisms including confiscation of assets.

Although the creation of such a fund would seem more an economic than a political problem, IOM nonetheless believes that a confiscation fund will be created in the next two or three years. However law enforcement officers are doubtful that such a fund can be successful since in practice it is virtually impossible to confiscate traffickers’ assets.

Since 2004, the Supreme Court has been collecting data on all court cases involving human trafficking in order to gain a general picture and assessment of court practice. Such an assessment will be used to prepare a Resolution of the Supreme Court Plenary on generalized court practice in this field, recommendations for the courts, law enforcement agencies (the criminal investigation department and the prosecutor’s office) on procedural issues in human trafficking cases and explanation of the relevant legislative provisions. Completion of a draft Resolution had been planned for November 2007, but thus far none has been adopted.

 

Recommendations on improving anti-trafficking measures[14]

To the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legislative Backup for Law Enforcement Work

-  Ensure as a matter of priority the preparation and tabling for Verkhovna Rada consideration of a draft law on amendments to the Criminal Code which would impose criminal liability for those who knowingly use the services which victims of human trafficking have been forced to provide;

-  Carry out work on drafting a law on amendments to the Criminal Code imposing liability for the heads of legal entities which organize the provision of services by human trafficking victims;

-  Initiate the preparation and tabling for Verkhovna Rada consideration of a draft law on amendments to the Criminal Code which would impose criminal liability for those involved in business who organize employment abroad or tourist trips where these are aimed at human trafficking;

-  Ensure consideration of issues around the preparation for ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings from 16 May 2005;

-   Prepare and table for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada of a draft law on broadening the interpretation of such concepts as “recruitment”, “transfer”, “blackmail”, “vulnerability”, “concealment”, receiving a person”, “handing over or receiving a person”, etc, in order to standardize their understanding, interpretation and application by law enforcement agencies;

-  Consider and discuss at committee hearings drafts for a comprehensive law on combating human trafficking in Ukraine (during 2008);

-  Draw up proposals and introduce amendments to the Criminal Code on imposing liability for the use of child pornography and receiving sexual services from children;

-  Hold annual committee hearings on monitoring by the State of the Government Anti-trafficking Programme to 2010;

-  Publish a transcript of the roundtable discussion and circulate this around all the departments involved in implementing the Government Anti-trafficking Programme to 2010;’

-  Support the initiative of the Ministry on the Family, Youth and Sport regarding drafting a comprehensive law on combating human trafficking which would apply to all forms of human trafficking and would introduce a comprehensive system of protection and support for victims and witnesses of human trafficking, taking into consideration all aspects of national referral mechanisms to safeguard the rights of trafficking victims.

To the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Budgetary issues:

-  Allow in the State Budget for the current and coming years of expenditure on providing for victims of human trafficking, receiving legal defence and accompaniment during criminal proceedings;

To the Cabinet of Ministers:

-  Coordinate the process for introducing amendments to the Government Anti-trafficking Programme to 2010 in order to take into consideration all aspects of this work and bearing in mind these recommendations, make amendments to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 410 from 7 March 2007 on approving the Government Anti-trafficking Programme to 2010;

-  Allow in the draft Law “On amendments to the State Budget of Ukraine for 2008” allocation of funds for implementing the Government Anti-trafficking Programme to 2010;

-  Abolish Resolution No. 1087 from 5 September 2007 on creating a single Council on demographic issues, family policy, children, gender equality and human trafficking and create a separate coordination council on combating human trafficking;

-  Resolve the issue of creating the office of National Coordinator on combating human trafficking;

-  Strengthen cooperation and coordination of efforts of the government and the public sector on combating human trafficking at the local, regional, national and international levels.

To the Ministry on the Family, Youth and Sport

-  Begin the process of identifying victims according to the principles and standards of the National Referral Mechanisms for victims of human trafficking;

-  Draw up a national referral system with clear referral structures for each region.

-  Inter-disciplinary groups should be formed with division of duties and powers in accordance with the relevant provisions on the institutions making up such groups. The regional authorities, together with local NGOs should be capable of properly protecting the rights and meeting the needs of trafficking victims, based on a structure which integrates the process of identification into defence and assistance programmes. If at the regional level there are no partner NGOs, the bodies in charge of the social sphere should be able to provide a sufficient degree of protection and support for trafficking victims. In the process of creating such a system, it would be advisable to apply the Principles and Recommendations on Human Rights and Trafficking in Persons drawn up by the Office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner;

-  Devise study programmes on combating human trafficking for all members of NGOs at the central and regional levels, together with institutions and organizations which have experience in preparing and running such programmes and / or are planning to do this in future, including international and regional organizations IOSCE, IOM, ILO, EU) and local NGOs, in order to avoid doubling up efforts;

-  Draw up, introduce and ensure access of all members of NRMs to permanent study programmes, preferably of an inter-disciplinary nature, on identification, provision of assistance and support to trafficking victims. Specialized anti-trafficking modules should be included in current professional development courses in the relevant fields;

-  Ensure the direction of each regional programme in support of a regional network of participants in a system of referral;

-  Draw up criteria for identifying victims of human trafficking in order to give them victim status, and also assign a body authorized to grant this status and stipulate the list of possibilities which the granting of such status entails;

-  Broaden the procedure for identification to all types of exploitation based on human trafficking, taking into consideration the aspects of internal and trans-border trafficking in the course of development of a methodology for identifying victims of human trafficking;

-  Create effective procedures for swift identification of child victims of human trafficking;

-  Introduce policy and special programmes of protection of the rights and interests of child victims of human trafficking. Rules on special measures to protect child victims of human trafficking should be incorporated into all components of NRM, especially with regard to the process of identification, provision of assistance and support, the procedure for return and reintegration, and safeguarding of access to justice.  The State Social Service for the Family, Children and Youth, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Health, regional state administrations, including services on children’s affairs, should be made responsible for properly meeting the needs of child victims of human trafficking.

-  Draw up and introduce programmes for comprehensive socio-psychological rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking;

-  Guarantee equal access for all trafficking victims to specialized services (medical, psychological, legal assistance, education and vocational training, employment at all stages of the NRM, regardless of the place of residence / registration in Ukraine, gender, age, legal status, etc;

-  Create and maintain a database on available social and other specialized services for trafficking victims in the State and non-State sectors in each region of Ukraine;

-  Designate consultative centres in all regions which provide primary consultative services to likely trafficking victims; assess their social, medical and psychological needs and refer them to shelters and / or institutions for specialized services where necessary. These consultative centres can keep a database of available services in each region;

-  Pay particular attention to the need for protection and assistance of child victims of human trafficking. Measures should be based on four general principles: considering the best interests of the child; the child’s participation in decision-making; non-discrimination of the child; and  the child’s right to life and development;

-  Introduce a mechanism for departmental control over adherence by the bodies of care and supervision to the demands of normative legal acts  when carrying out proper checks of foreign nationals wishing to adopt Ukrainian children;

-  Study the experience of foreign countries with regard to the creation and functioning of compensation funds for victims of trafficking in order to introduce a system of compensation for human trafficking victims at the national level;

-  Draw up and introduce indicators for showing how widespread human trafficking is in the country and introduce a statistical database for victims;

-  Draw up and introduce ways of assessing implementation of the Government Anti-trafficking Programme to 2010;

-  Prepare annual reports on implementation of the Government Anti-trafficking Programme to 2010 and work on prevention and countering of such crimes;

-  Coordinate the creation of mechanisms for monitoring and assessing the influence on adherence to human rights, legislation, politics, programmes and practical actions in combating human trafficking both at central, and at regional, levels;

-  Draw up proposals on supplements to the Law “On social services” which allow for the inclusion of human trafficking victims and their close relations in the category of people entitled to receive social services.

To the Ministry of Internal Affairs

-  Begin keeping statistics on the gender, age, social and regional origin of human trafficking victims, as well as the gender, age and social background of those guild of human trafficking crimes;

-  Introduce and keep statistics under Articles 301 and 303 of the Criminal Code;

-  Permit the storage of personal data about trafficking victims only in cases of real need and only by those institutions which can take responsibility for observing European standards on personal data protection;

-  Ensure that any activity connected with the gathering of personal data is in line with fundamental principles of confidentiality and standards for protection of data. Introduce strict demands with regard to sharing data in order to protect personal data;

-  Guarantee that processing (compilation, recording, storing, changing, destroying or circulating) personal data takes place with observance of the rights of trafficking victims to confidentiality and with the consent of the individual concerned. This means that the individual has the right to know that information about him or her is being stored in a certain database, is entitled to know the content of this information and have the opportunity to correct it if necessary;

-  Carry out a study of the scale, size and problems of internal human trafficking.

To the Ministry of Justice:

-  Accelerate work on drafting a law to ratify the European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (2005), introduce amendments to legislative acts bringing them into line with this, and table the draft law in the Verkhovna Rada;

-  Draw up and submit to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law on compensation for damages caused victims of human trafficking. This would envisage, among other things, the creation of a compensation fund for victims of crimes. This State fund should ensure that victims can enjoy their right to compensation and provide them with access to services of social assistance and public integration;

-  Prepare proposals on agreeing national legislation in the area of protection of information with European standards, in particular, creating a mechanism of access by trafficking victims to their personal data and correction of this data.

To the Ministry of Employment and Social Policy

-  Ensure information and explanatory work among the able-bodied population regarding social guarantees and the advantages of employment in Ukraine;

-  Draw up and introduce programmes for informing adolescents about  methodology in determining the professional orientation of employment, awareness of workers’ rights, guaranteed State labour conditions and social guarantees;

-  Increase activities to inform the public about the legal principles of labour migration abroad;

-  Draw up government drafts of inter-State agreements on labour migration;

-  Draw up a programme of measures on the development of the institute of licensing of economic activities with agents for employment of Ukrainian nationals abroad in order to stress their social projection and prevention of human trafficking

-  Organize cooperation with unions in order to combat human trafficking.

To the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-  Ensure participation by representatives of State authorities in international anti-trafficking measures;

-  Prepare and implement programmes for monitoring labour migration of Ukrainian nationals abroad  in Ukraine’s diplomatic and consular institutions ;

-  Introduce a programme of cooperation between Ukraine’s diplomatic and consular institutions and Ukrainian nationals working or studying abroad in  order to provide the latter with information and legal assistance;

-  Apply measures aimed at broadening an international contract and legal base in the areas of employment and social protection of Ukrainian nationals in countries where, for the sake of employment,   there are a large number of our nationals, as well as at improving inter-State mechanisms for involving Ukrainian nationals in work abroad;

-  Strengthen the mechanisms for checking and carry out supervision over adherence of the rights of adopted Ukrainian children abroad.

To the Ministry of Health

-  carry out an expert assessment of study plans and programmes and prepare methodology recommendations to include the topic “Prevention of human trafficking” in teaching curriculum and optional subjects;

-  Promote an increase in the number of social pedagogues and practical psychologists in institutions according to the demands of current normative legal acts ;

-  Include the topic “Prevention of human trafficking” and crimes connected with this in the educational programmes for children and young people as a base and variable part of the State component of the school curriculum;

-  Increase attention of educational workers in educational institutions to the problem of children of labour migrants, their social milieu through the identification of such children, a study of the conditions of their life, information about the school management, psychological service, the service on juvenile matters, organization of socio-pedagogical work with them and with their social milieu. Carry out educational and awareness-running work;

-  Introduce a system for monitoring and assessing the success of the organization and implementation of prophylactic measures against human trafficking carried out by departments of education in educational institutions.

To the Supreme Court

-  In order to ensure a single approach in interpreting signs of human trafficking, accelerate review of generalized court practice in criminal cases of this category, and submission of this to the Supreme Court Plenary by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

To the collegiate of bar lawyers of Ukraine

-  Create a national network of qualified lawyers in order to provide legal assistance to victims of human practice and ensure that they receive effective protection of their rights and interests.

 



[1] By specialists from the International Women’s Human Rights Centre “La Strada – Ukraine” K.  Levchenko, O.  Kalashnyk, K. Cherepakha, L. Kovalchuk, M. Lehenka and M.V. Yevsyukova,

[2] According to figures from IOM, in 2006 assistance was given to 17 people, and for the first nine months of 2007 – to 29. In 2006 there were 6 underage victims of human trafficking, while for the first nine months of 2007 this figure had increased to 12.

[3] Annual report of the “La Strada – Ukraine” Centre for 2007: http://lastrada.org.ua/content/doc/Annual%20report%20%202007.pdf.

[4] Cabinet of Ministers passed Resolution No. 1087 from 5 March 2007.

[5] For example, in the Chernihiv region the regional programme was adopted on 28 August 2007; in the Cherkasy region – on 31 August 2007.The Kyiv City Council passed its regional programme on 16 August, and the programme for the Lviv region was passed on 17 September. The first regional report for the Odessa region was passed in 2002, and reworked in 2007. In the Crimea adoption of a regional report has been awaited since the end of 2007. – From the report: Assessing the needs of a national referral mechanism in Ukraine. Draft of the Report 26 November 2007. Prepared by Andriy Syolkner..

[6] Cf. Decision №557 of the OSCE Permanent Council.  ОБСЄ Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, 2003 (PC.DEC/557)

[7] National Referral Mechanisms: Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons. A Practical Handbook.  OSCE-ODIHR, Warsaw, 2004

[8]  See also: Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns, UNODC report, April 2006. The UN places Ukraine in the middle of its rating of countries of destination. The last statistics from IOM also show that Ukraine has become a destination country.

[9]  Article 7 of the law contains a general list of safety measures which can be applied, with these being described in more detail in Articles 8-16.

[10] Assessing the needs of a national referral mechanism in Ukraine. Draft of the Report 26 November 2007. Prepared by Andriy Syolkner.

[11] Ibid.

[12] From 2000 to 2007 the IOM Mission in Kyiv provided direct assistance to more than 4, 000 people. In 2001, around 65% of victims received the necessary services, while in 2006 the urgent needs of almost 90% of identified victims were successfully met. According to IOM figures, only 0.4% of the recipients of their aid end up again in human trafficking situations.

[13] Assessing the needs of a national referral mechanism in Ukraine. Draft of the Report 26 November 2007. Prepared by Andriy Syolkner.

[14] The recommendations were drawn up taking into consideration discussion and proposals from a roundtable “Implementation of the Government Anti-trafficking Programme to 2010”, organized by the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legislative Backup for Law Enforcement Work, together with the International Women’s Human Rights Centre “La Strada – Ukraine” on 27 February 2008, as well as recommendations prepared by the authors of the study “Assessing the needs of a national referral mechanism in Ukraine. Draft of the Report 26 November 2007”. Prepared by Andriy Syolkner

 Share this