12 April 2016, 09:55
"The factor of the development of the human trafficking phenomenon is global migratory flows caused first of all by military conflicts and social upheavals. Unfortunately, Ukraine has found itself in the epicenter of these processes. We are seriously concerned about possible consequences of Russian aggression in the territory of Ukraine, which contribute to aggravation of negative regional trends in human trafficking," said Member of Parliament, Chairperson of the Committee on Social Policy, Employment and Pension Provision Liudmyla Denisova during her speech at the 16th Alliance against Trafficking in Persons Conference on Combating trafficking in human beings for the purpose of forced criminality (Vienna, Austria).
She noted that human trafficking concerns almost all OSCE participating States, countries of origin, transit or destination. This is a complex issue of human rights, which covers the entire OSCE's comprehensive policy of security.
"Human trafficking is not an isolated phenomenon. It is inextricably connected with global economic processes, with the rise of criminal element in many countries, the lack of rule of law, the existence of such a phenomenon as money laundering and other forms of trafficking and crime," Liudmyla Denisova said.
According to her, in Ukraine the wave of internal migration of the population from the occupied territories and districts where the antiterrorist operation is held, increases the risk of people's getting into the trafficking process. "Increases the number of internally displaced persons from the regions affected by the conflict, including women, children and persons with disabilities, who are particularly vulnerable to trafficking," Liudmyla Denisova said.
She also stressed that Ukraine understands the new challenges it faces, and is trying to do its best to protect its citizens from being trafficked. "I am proud that Ukraine has taken decisive steps in all three areas of combating trafficking in human: in the prevention of crime in all forms, in the protection of victims, and the prosecution of criminals," she said.
Liudmyla Denisova said that Ukraine is a party to all international agreements regulating the fight against human trafficking. "We have elaborated national legislation based on the approaches to the protection of human rights and restoration of victims' rights. The Law of Ukraine "On combating trafficking in human" adopted in 2011, defines institutional and legal framework for combating trafficking in our country," she added.
In addition, she noted that Ukraine has created adequate mechanisms for the effective application of laws; guaranteeing of legal status of victims in order to provide them with access to justice and tools of legal protection, including compensation for the damage caused.
She also drew attention to the fact that international and non-governmental organizations offer extremely important support in this direction.
"We are grateful to Madam Madina Jarbussynova for that constant attention, which she personally pays to the situation in Ukraine and assistance to my country in connection with new challenges and threats provoked by illegal and criminal activities of the militants and Russian military servicemen in some territories of Donbas," Liudmyla Denisova said.
At the end of her speech, Liudmyla Denisova confirmed Ukraine's readiness to counteract human trafficking.
"I hope that with the assistance of the world and European community and also international organizations, in particular the OSCE, Ukraine will manage to protect its territorial integrity, regain control over the state border and return the temporarily occupied Crimea to Ukraine," said Liudmyla Denisova.