Conference in Helsinki to focus on human rights protection of victims of trafficking

Protecting the human rights of trafficking victims in countries of destination is the main topic at a conference “Breaking the Cycle of Trafficking” in Helsinki on 23-24 September. The conference, held by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, one of Europe’s leading human rights agencies, in cooperation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, is expected to draw some 150 international experts.

Speakers at the opening will include Ms. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, Judge at the Criminal Court in Rome, the Finnish Minister of Justice, Mr. Johannes Koskinen, Ms. Rita Süssmuth, Chair of the German Experts Council for Immigration and Integration, Ms. Helga Konrad(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.) (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan), OSCE Special Representative on Trafficking in Human Beings and Ambassador Christian Strohal(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.) (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan), Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

Trafficking in persons is a severe human rights abuse and a risk to security throughout the OSCE region. In spite of international efforts, human rights protection of trafficked persons has only improved marginally in the last few years. Trafficked persons are often not even identified and instead, many still face detention and expulsion.

The conference will take place at the House of the Estates, Snellmaninkatu 9-11, Helsinki, and is open to the media.

Contact:

Spokesperson Urdur Gunnarsdottir, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, urdur.gunnarsdottir@odihr.pl, tel. +48 22 520 0600
Director Johanna Suurpää, Unit for Human Rights, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, johanna.suurpaa@formin.fi, tel. +358 9 1605 6551

Conference website(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.)

ODIHR(Linkki toiselle web-sivustolle.) (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan)

Further information:

ODIHR press release (24 September) Lue

ODIHR press release (23 September)Read more

Victims of human trafficking need help in the countries of destination (23 September) Read more

Foreign Ministry to host OSCE conference on human trafficking (14 July) Read more