Kyiv Hosts International OSCE Human Trafficking Conference

By Walter Derzko

Canadian M.P. from Kildonan-St. Paul, Joy Smith represented Canada on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. John Baird at the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE’s) High-Level conference to combat human trafficking, which took place in Kyiv, Ukraine on June 10-11, 2013. It was held at the Intercontinental Hotel and at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine, right on St. Sophia Square in the center of the capital.

In an exclusive interview given to New Pathway, Joy Smith said that she was: “very honored and pleased to be in Kyiv to attend and represent Canada at the OSCE conference called ” Strengthening the OSCE Response to Trafficking in Human Beings”, which was hosted by Ukraine, this year’s OSCE Chairman.

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery. It is the buying and selling of people, particularly our youth, and forcing them into the sex trade. Others can become victims of forced labor, working long hours without pay and living in substandard living conditions. Human trafficking is a very lucrative business for predators that prey on innocent victims.” argues Joy Smith.

Smith complemented the Minister of Foreign Affair for Ukraine, H.E. Leonid Kozhara who opened the conference that brought 54 out of 57 OSCE member countries together to share their experiences in combating human trafficking. Smith was pleased to hear Minister Kozhara, say in his welcoming address that: “It’s a complex human rights issue, that cuts across the entire spectrum of the OSCE’s comprehensive security policy.” and that “Ukraine has placed human trafficking as one of its top priorities for the OSCE during its chairmanship.” Kozhara later stressed that “Ukraine aspires to address all forms of this heinous crime that violates human dignity and undermines human rights and fundamental freedoms.” He went on to explain human trafficking is not an isolated phenomenon, but is often linked with global economic processes, criminal activities, weaknesses in the rule of law, money laundering and other forms of illegal trafficking and criminality.

Joy Smith attended a special luncheon with the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Kozhara prior to the conference and then was one of the presenters with a keynote welcoming speech at the start of and again during the conference. Smith outlined Canada comprehensive attack against people who traffic human beings, presenting Canada’s National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, which “enhances the laws we already have and takes care of the needs of victims as well. Canadians who go abroad and traffic or exploit human beings can now be brought back to Canada and be charged,” stressed Smith. This is largely thanks to the two private members bills, Bill C 268 and Bill C 310 which were initiated by Joy Smith. Bill C-268 made Canadian history by amending the Criminal Code to create a child trafficking offence with mandatory minimum sentences. Bill C-310, expanded the definition of human trafficking and provided the courts with extraterritorial provisions to allow Canada to bring back traffickers from foreign countries where they were preying on the vulnerable abroad.

At an international level, Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program enhances the capacity of beneficiary states, government entities and international organizations through the provision of transfer payment assistance to prevent and respond to human trafficking. Through the Global Peace and Security Fund, Canada has continued to develop and propose projects to promote international norms and in-country capacities to prevent and respond to human trafficking of women and girls who are forced into the sex trade in fragile states and those plagued with armed conflict.

Thanks to the initiative spearheaded by the USA at the conference, Ukraine’s aviation sector became the first civil employees in Europe to receive training to identify potential victims of human trafficking as part of a plan to increase global co-operation in the fight against modern day slavery.

The workshop was part of an international plan being promoted by U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, who was in Kyiv at the conference introducing a measure to increase partnerships between law enforcement and the travel industry to better combat human trafficking.

“We are all responsible for ending this dehumanizing crime, but the fact is airline, hotel and transportation professionals are in a unique position to identify potential victims to get them help they need,” said Chris Smith, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Human Trafficking Issues. Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure hosted the workshop Monday, which was led by the humanitarian organization Airline Ambassadors and included about 30 individuals from Ukraine’s Aviation Administration, the Ministry of Social Policy, Interpol and government legal experts. Participants learned about how to identify potential victims of trafficking and the best way to alert law enforcement to suspicious situations while respecting civil liberties and minimizing transportation disruptions.

Congressman Chris Smith introduced his resolution on Monday during the conference, which was called “Trafficking Victim Watchfulness,” which urges other countries to establish similar training regimes in collaboration with the travel industry to prevent trafficking and facilitate law enforcement intervention to get victims needed care.

“I commend Ukraine for the work it has done today to focus attention on the 600,000 to 800,000 trafficking victims who are moved across borders each year and who could be rescued in transit if airline and other transportation personnel were appropriately trained and law enforcement ready to intervene,” Chris Smith said. “I have no doubt that, as a result of this training today, hundreds, maybe thousands, more lives will be saved.”

During the conference, as various people were sharing success stories, Joy Smith received a Blackberry text message about a human trafficker that had just been apprehended in Calgary and about the victim, that was rescued She stopped the conference, presented the text message and received warm applause and encouragement.

On a personal note, when asked about how she enjoyed Kyiv, Joy Smith responded that she had a chance to walk down the streets of Kyiv late one night after a long day: “it was so beautiful, Kyiv was just all lit up; the cafes were full of young people, everyone was cheerful, warm and welcoming, and so many young people walking hand in hand down the streets. It was just a really good feeling. It was very moving and very pleasant to be there.” She stopped and then warmly recollected: “It’s just those little things, the taxi driver who drove me to the airport…he opened my door, he took and kissed my hand and said: I hope you enjoyed Ukraine and that you come back soon. It was class and this was just a taxi driver. I mean to a women, it’s a women thing, you have to understand that.”

I’m sure Joy Smith will be back to visit Ukraine real soon.

PHOTOS

1 - MP Joy Smith

2 - Conference delegates, Joy Smith second from the right