30 July 2003

U.S. Lauds OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking, July 24, 2003

(July 24, Vienna: Stephan Minikes to OSCE Permanent Council)

The OSCE's new Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings "will be a strong tool in assisting OSCE States in implementing their commitments to combat trafficking in persons," U.S. Ambassador Stephan Minikes told the OSCE Permanent Council July 24 in Vienna.

In welcoming adoption of the plan, Minikes also noted that the United States is currently amending its Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which became law in 2000, so that it will address trafficking as "an organized crime activity" and target sex tourism as "a factor contributing to demand."

Following are his remarks:
(begin transcript)

United States Mission to the OSCE
Vienna
July 24, 2003

ADOPTION OF THE ACTION PLAN ON COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Delivered by Ambassador Stephan M. Minikes to the Permanent Council

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We would like to, also, very much welcome the adoption of this Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and would like to thank the co-chairs of the working group -- Ambassador Danielle Del Marmol and Vera Gratchova -- for their outstanding work. We also join the EU presidency in bidding adieus to Ambassador Del Marmol and wishing her very well.

We believe this Action Plan will be a strong tool in assisting OSCE States in implementing their commitments to combat trafficking in persons. It also gives clear guidance to the OSCE Institutions and bodies on their activities to combat trafficking. In particular, we look forward to increased work on this issue by the Office of the Coordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities and the Office of Strategic Police Matters.

We note that the Action Plan "tasks relevant OSCE structures with hosting and facilitating an annual meeting of national coordinators, representatives, or experts on trafficking." We look forward to the first meeting. We also look forward to the Secretary General's drafting of comprehensive staff regulations to ensure that OSCE staff do not engage in or in any way knowingly facilitate trafficking in human beings. This new regulation must be applied in a mandatory and standardized manner.

I would also like to inform the Council that the United States is currently updating its own anti-trafficking legislation. The U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act originally passed by Congress in 2000 and signed by the President, is being re-authorized and amended by our Congress this week. The re-authorized and amended act would address trafficking as an organized crime activity, and particularly target sex tourism as a factor contributing to demand. Our delegation can provide a copy of the bill and more detailed information on the amendments being proposed to anyone who is interested.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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