|
NEWS - The Joint CBSS TF-THB / UNODC Conference was held 7-8 December 2009, Stockholm. The Conference presented the findings of the regional assessment of the joint project with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on fostering NGO and Law Enforcement Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking in, from and to the Baltic Sea Region. For more information please contact the CBSS TF-THB Secretariat.
The overall objective of the Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings (TF-THB) is to counteract trafficking in human beings in the Baltic Sea Region through preventive and protective activitiesTrafficking in Human Beings in the Baltic Sea Region
Trafficking in human beings is a global problem. Nevertheless, variations can be found with respect to (sub) regions and countries of origin, transit, destination and the degree of internal trafficking. The states of the Baltic Sea Region are all affected by trafficking in human beings. Every year women, men and children are trafficked to, through or from the CBSS Region for the purpose of exploitation. Furthermore, the region is subject to constant changes in the patterns of human trafficking and the forms of victimisation. This is particularly due to global economic changes and the inventiveness of organised crime structures.
Mandate
The mandate of the TF-THB is to fight against trafficking in human beings and all of its forms of exploitation. Our actions aim at strengthening assistance to victims, promoting cooperation, abolishing gaps in existing approaches and improving legislation.
The Task Force focuses on people over the age of 18 and is thereby complementing the work of the Expert Group for Cooperation on Children at Risk (EGCC).
Experts and Structure of the Task Force
The Task Force is composed of experts from relevant Government ministries in all the CBSS capitals. The Chair of the TF-THB rotates among the Member States on an annual basis following the CBSS Presidency (from July 1 to June 30). The current mandate of the Task Force runs until 30th June 2011. In its National Action Plan against Prostitution and
Trafficking in Human Beings for Sexual Exploitation the Swedish Government pledged funds from 2008 until 2010 for the CBSS Task Force for its preventive and protective work in the Baltic Sea Region.
Background
The CBSS TF-THB builds on the work of the previous Nordic Baltic Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings. In 2006 the Heads of Government welcomed the initiative to integrate the work of the previous Task Force into the CBSS framework, and by doing so include Germany, Poland and Russia in the cooperation. The objective is to foster actions and enhance cooperation to combat human trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region and its near vicinity. In terms of project activities the former Nordic Baltic Task Force initiated the Nordic Baltic Pilot Project, with the European Women's Lobby as the head implementer, intended as a capacity-building instrument focusing on the development and implementation of measures for the protection and safe return of victims.
The TF-THB is the only regional intergovernmental forum in Europe of its kind dealing with trafficking in human beings. The TF-THB brings together EU and non EU Member States, which are all differently affected by trafficking in human beings and constantly exchange experiences with international and nongovernmental organisations
Despite the fact that human trafficking today is acknowledged as a severe crime that seriously violates the human rights of its many victims, still a lot of work needs to be done in the areas of prevention, protection and prosecution. The establishment of partnership and the enhancement of policy development are additionally and equally important to effectively curb this crime. Since human trafficking cuts through all sectors, a multi-faceted approach is needed when planning and implementing anti-trafficking activities. Therefore, the TF-THB enables the Member States to jointly assess the regional trafficking situation and implement activities adapted to the observed common needs.
For 2008-2010 the TF-THB has agreed on the following Strategy for the CBSS Region:
- Trainings on Human Trafficking for Diplomatic and Consular Personnel in the CBSS Region in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- Joint Project with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on Fostering NGOLaw Enforcement Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking in, from and to the Baltic Sea Region
- Regional Information Campaign against Trafficking in Human Beings
- Improved Data Collection and Support to Research on Human Trafficking in the Region
- Comparative Regional Legal Analysis on Human Trafficking
|
