U4 Helpdesk Query

U4 helpdesk reply

Urgent reply:

This helpdesk reply is based on a similar question on the same topic, sent to the helpdesk before its inauguration. The reply contained mainly contact details. What I am sending you now is much more recent information that I hope would be useful for you. The TI-movement had a workshop dedicated to corruption and trafficking at the 11th Anti-Corruption Conference, held in Seoul in 2003. I am sending relevant background information from the workshop that I have obtained from the workshop coordinator, including:

1. The overall summary report of the workshop (read as Word doc)

2. Presentations:

• Countering Corruption to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings - the Hong Kong Experience, by Keeny Tso, independent commission against corruption, Hong Kong The presentation is in Power point with a separate abstract in MS Word.
• Input from Serbia, by Marija Andjekovic, Astra NGO, Serbia. There is a brief on situation in Serbia and an abstract, both in MS Word.
• Corruption and Trafficking in Human Beings: what does it involve?, by Manuel Lezertua, Council of Europe. The presentation is in Power Point with a separate abstract in MS Word.

3. List of attendants [U4eds. note: Not to be published on U4 site, can be requested from U4 if in need].

4. List of basic recommendations/conclusions (a one-pager) from 11th IACC workshop

It is recommended:

1. To create a general culture of non-acceptability of corruption and trafficking in human beings
2. To support adoptions and implementations of national and international legal instruments against corruption and trafficking in human beings
3. To encourage research on corruption and trafficking in human beings
4. To promote the political will of governments to tackle corruption and trafficking in human beings
5. To take action at the national level first, followed by the action at the international level
6. To establish multidisciplinary groups at national levels to ensure coordinated action against corruption and trafficking in human beings
7. To monitor/control issuing of passports and residence and work permits
8. To pay increased attention to border police and controls
9. To create specialist investigative units conducting pro-active, intelligence led operations
10. To include corruption in anti-trafficking plans
11. To adopt and enforce conflict of interest regulations for the law enforcement agencies
12. To develop guidelines for national and international officials with regard to the sex industry
13. To use information on corruption provided by victims of trafficking and NGOs more systematically
14. To enhance and institutionalise cooperation between different governmental and non-governmental institutions
15. To establish and enhance multidisciplinary witness/victim protection programmes, including specialised shelters, residence permits and proper legal position of victims
16. To guarantee basic rights for the victims of trafficking in human beings, having in mind their special needs and characteristics
17. To prevent NGOs from being undermined by corruption, especially by introducing codes of conduct for the NGOs, by establishment of principles on the selection and recruitment of the NGO staff and by applying necessary protective measures
18. To develop an international network of NGOs active in the field of corruption and/or trafficking in human beings
19. To involve and train media in investigative journalism on trafficking in human beings and corruption
20. To simplify, prioritise and accelerate mutual legal assistance
21. To enhance the law enforcement investigation methods including methods to assist victims in their situation and to further develop the abilities of the law enforcement agencies
22. To introduce special permits for underage persons leaving the country without their parents.