Human Trafficking Conference in Ottawa

By Marichka Galadza

On Tuesday, January 23^rd, St. Paul University in Ottawa hosted a conference on one of the fastest growing crime sectors in Eastern Europe: human trafficking. The conference which included three main speakers was spearheaded by the Help us Help the Children Anti Trafficking Initiative, a project of the Children of Chornobyl Fund. In attendance were notable political and community leaders such as Ambassador to Ukraine Igor Ostash, Francine Ducros, General Director of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for Eastern Europe, and representatives from the office of Joy Smith, Manitoba MP for Kildonan-St.Paul in Winnipeg.

Father Andriy Onuferko, Acting Director of the Sheptytsky Institute, proposed a Christian response to human rights violations and stated that as an institution with a Christian mandate, St. Paul’s University aims to protect the weakest members of society through community service. He also noted that the human race must collectively take a greater interest in the welfare and dignity of those who fall victim to trafficking scams as they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The evening’s speakers were introduced by Borys Gengalo and Halyna Zalucky. Ms. Zalucky, as moderator, outlined whom human trafficking affects and what legislative and non-governmental work is currently being done to combat the growing offence. Ms. Zalucky also brought up the underlying question of why so many Ukrainian citizens are fleeing their country each year, noting that preventive social and economic changes need to occur in order to make human trafficking history. 

Next, Natalka Chuplinsky of the Women’s Consortium of Ukraine, focused her presentation on recent legislation implemented to criminalize human trafficking, a relatively new judicial concern for an independent Ukraine. Thanks to the combined lobbying efforts of various non-governmental organizations, of which the Women’s Consortium is one, the Verkhovna Rada has added Article 149 to its Criminal Code. Under the provision of this Article, the courts now enforce a minimum five-year prison sentence for human trafficking and offences dealing with illegal organ transplants and coercion into the sex and slave trade. The new Article sets a hefty precedent for crimes once penalized with mere fines.

Ms. Chuplinsky also outlined existing and upcoming educational film initiatives aimed at teaching youth about the risks of human trafficking scams posing as “get rich quick” work opportunities abroad. Currently, a film entitled Stantsia Pryznatchenya Zhittya, loosely translated in English as the “Point of Reckoning”, is a mandatory part of school curricula in Ukraine. As for the Consortium’s future projects, Ms. Chuplinsky stated that a new educational film is in the works. This one entitled  Alternativa or “The Alternative” will depict successful small business owners, entrepreneurs and youth otherwise labeled “at risk”, who choose to stay the course and search for work opportunities within Ukraine rather than emigrate and face unknown dangers abroad.

Fittingly, the next speaker was Dima Samarsky, an example of a successful youth who has challenged adversity.  A product of Ukraine’s foster care system, Mr. Samarsky gave a power point presentation on HUHTC’s ongoing work with disadvantaged orphans in Ukraine. Through various HUHTC sponsored scholarships, summer programs and anti trafficking awareness workshops, Ukraine’s orphans, the most vulnerable sector of the population, are taught self respect, self esteem and a knowledge and love for their country. By introducing them to traditional folklore, dance and crafts, these children earn an appreciation for their national heritage and build ties to the country they inhabit. As children, they also learn skills that go a long way in fostering a strong and healthy transition into adulthood. One program called the “Happy Children, Happy Future” aims to give these children a happy and safe developmental environment so that they may progress towards their future goals, rather than succumb to false promises of illegal immigration and work scams.

The final speaker, Alla Galych, of the International Organization for Migration, discussed some of the new criminal elements in human trafficking, citing incidences of forced and unpaid labour in Ukraine’s Southern Crimean region as well as massive child prostitution rings in Europe and North America. Ms. Galych stated that despite educational programs and awareness, the most common misconception voiced by victims of human trafficking scams was that they never believed it would actually happen to them.

Overall, the presentations were optimistic and proactive, focusing on improvements in legislature and social programs rather than setbacks, however, the problem still stands; despite educational initiatives and awareness, many Ukrainian men and women still find illegal immigration a risk worth taking.