European Action for Compensation for Trafficked Persons launched in Prague

8 July 2010.- Top officials from Europe are demanding governments from across the continent to meet their international legal obligations and provide compensation and other protection measures for people trafficked into forced labour and sexual exploitation.

Speaking at the launch of COMP.ACT, the European Action for Compensation for Trafficked Persons, they also call for governments to intensify efforts to confiscate the assets of traffickers, which can be used to help pay towards victim compensation and would also deter criminals from becoming involved in trafficking. The launch of the new campaign, led by human rights organisations Anti-Slavery International and La Strada International, has taken place in Prague on Friday 2 July 2010.

Trafficking in human beings is a serious human rights violation. People trafficked into forced labour or sexual exploitation are subjected to abuse, exploitation, physical and psychological violence, forced to work long hours with little or no pay, under inhuman working and living conditions. According to international human rights treaties, states have an obligation to ensure effective remedies for the harm done to trafficked people.

Thorbjorn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, said: "Trafficking is one of the worst violations of basic human rights. The Council of Europe's Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings is the first and only international treaty that explicitly recognises the right of victims of trafficking in human beings to be compensated for the damages suffered and the obligation of the States to guarantee this compensation in their internal law. I am therefore glad that the Council of Europe has lent its support to this important pan-European campaign on compensation for trafficked persons."

"Compensation plays an integral role in the empowerment of trafficked persons, enabling them to achieve their life objectives", said Dr. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. "All relevant action must be taken to ensure effective compensation, including legal counselling and representation throughout criminal and civil proceedings, and access to appropriate State compensation funds."

Across Europe it is extremely rare for trafficked people to receive compensation because the mechanisms that are in place for redress are seldom used and there are many barriers that discourage them from applying for compensation or obstacles that prevent victims from receiving compensation.

The COMP.ACT project is an initiative in 14 European countries that combines practical work, such as research, test cases and the development of guidelines for professionals with international advocacy and campaigning for access to justice and right to redress for trafficked people. The European coalition consists of NGOs that offer direct assistance to trafficked people, the legal community, labour unions, migrant rights organisations and academics.
The countries include Austria, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Spain, Ukraine and United Kingdom.

For more information, please contact Ms. Wiesje Zikkenheiner, project manager COMP.ACT, at wz@lastradainternational.org