Trafficking in Human Beings in Southeastern Europe - Iom

Trafficking in Human Beingsin Southeastern EuropeUnited Nations system. They will be linked to and seek to facilitate effectiveimplementation of the key provisions of the Palermo Protocol on trafficking.RegionalInitiativesA joint UNHCHR/CoE Trafficking Prevention Programme for Eastern and CentralEurope was launched in 1999. UNHCHR also worked with the CoE andother international agencies on the organisation of a seminar in Athens (June2000) aimed at developing a subregional plan of action against trafficking inhuman beings in SEE.Within the framework of SPTTF, in co-operation with ILO, UNHCHR is the leadagency for prevention measures.2.5. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)Globally, UNICEF’s experience in addressing commercial sexual exploitation ofchildren in Asia and West Africa focuses on raising public awareness, childrights advocacy and improving the situation of children at risk.In November 2001, together with CoE, UNICEF organised the Budapest PreparatoryConference for Europe on Protection of Children against SexualExploitation. In co-operation with ECPAT International and the NGO Group forthe Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF co-sponsored the SecondCongress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children that took placein Yokohama, Japan in December 2001.In SEE, UNICEF has carried out research and assessment on the situation andresponses to trafficking. UNICEF has taken a leading role in HIV/AIDS preventionin SEE, and in collaboration with local partners, is undertaking a RapidAssessment and Response (RAR) on HIV/AIDS and STI risk and vulnerabilityin Albania, BiH, FYR Macedonia and FRY. They will provide information that willbe the basis for developing targeted activities with especially vulnerableyoung people, including sex workers and trafficked women and girls, in theabove countries.Within SPTTF, in cooperation with Save the Children, UNICEF is the leadagency for raising awareness. They have also been advocating for a broaderapproach to combating trafficking in women and children through addressingthe underlying causes, by focusing on special protection measures for children,gender-based violence and the development of life skills for young peopleto protect themselves from exploitation, including the risks of HIV/AIDS/STI and trafficking.2.6. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)The United Nations Population Fund UNFPA, helps developing countries findsolutions to their population problems. The Fund has three main programmeareas, reproductive health including family planning and sexual health, populationand development strategies, and advocacy. The Reproductive HealthProgramme supports the provision of reproductive health care including theprevention and treatment of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitteddiseases including HIV/AIDS. Within this programme UNFPA, in cooperationwith IOM supports reproductive health programmes for traffickedwomen and children who are staying in the IOM shelters in countries of destinationand of origin.19