Trafficking in human beings, in particular women and children for the purpose of sexual exploitation, is one of the fastest growing criminal activities in the world. This activity is often linked to other kinds of illicit trade, such as trafficking in arms and drugs. In addition to the human suffering involved in trafficking, the economic impact of such organised crime has the potential to destabilise countries and regions. In short, trafficking is a threat to stabilisation and to human security.
The issue of trafficking is one example of where the OSCE has adapted to new threats to security and stabilisation and has – during the past fewyears – emerged as one of the key actors in Europe in the fight against trafficking in human beings. Trafficking in human beings is equaly important in all the member states of the OSCE, wether they are defined as countries of origin, of transition or of destination. Without a demand for cheap labour and sexual services, there would be no offers of ‘modern slaves’.
Norway believes that the OSCE will continue to have an important role in our efforts to combat trafficking.
The current Norwegian Minister of Justice has engaged himself actively in the fight against trafficking in human beings, and the issue is high on the agenda of the Norwegian Government. Official Norwegian efforts are coordinated by the Ministry of Justice, in close co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs.
On 12 Februray 2003, Norway launched an Action Plan to combat trafficking in human beings. The plan focuses primarily on national measures to be implemented, but includes also an international aspect. Thus, Norway will seek to be more active in combatting trafficking also outside its national borders through bilateral co-operation and through multilateral organisations such as the OSCE. The plan will be implemented over a three-year period and have a total budget of some NOK 100 million (approximately € 13 million). Click here to read more about the action plan.
As an attempt to ensure that Norwegian officials do not indirectly support traffickers, employees working for the Norwegian government are prohibited from bying or accepting sexual services. The rules are outlined in the Ethical Guidelines for Government Employees prohibiting the Purchase and Acceptance of Sexual Services. Failure to obey these principles may lead to diciplinary sanctions by the employer.
Links to trafficking related web-sites: