Transcript Slide 1

Trafficking in human beings
in R. Macedonia
Maja Varoslija- Open Gate
La Strada Macedonia
Situation In R. Macedonia
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Until 2005 transit and destination country for women
trafficked from Eastern Europe to South Eastern and
Western Europe.
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Increasing cases of internal trafficking/child trafficking
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Significant number of cases of labour exploitation
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Trafficking for the purpose of:
Sexual exploitation
Forced labour in (restaurants, servitude, begging)
Forced marriages
Responses
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International and national instruments
Strategy and National Action Plan for Combating
Trafficking and Illegal Migration (including Action Plan
for Combating Trafficking in Children) both for 20062009 and 2009-2012 docs.
Official coordination bodies for combat trafficking in
human beings in R. Macedonia (National Commission,
Secretariat of the National Commission, Sub-group
against trafficking in children )
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for assistance to
victims of trafficking – endorsed in January 2008
Responses
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National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking in
human beings coordinated by the Ministry of Labor and
Social Policy (NRM office)
R. Macedonia – member of the Trans-national Referral
Mechanism (TRM) for Trafficked Persons in SouthEastern Europe – ICMPD project
Reception Centre for Foreigners (MoI) managed
Open Gate’s/La Strada Macedonia shelter for trafficked
persons for nationals and minors
SOS Line for information and help from trafficking in
human beings / Open Gate - La Strada Macedonia
Who we are
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OPEN GATE- Women’s lobby and action against
violence and trafficking in women founded in
September 2000
Aim :
-to influence the authorities, the media and public
opinion to address trafficking as a severe human
rights violation
-to develop and offer prevention and protection for
trafficked persons
Open Gate is a member of La Strada European
Network Against Trafficking in human beings
What we do
Our programs
Information and Lobby
Prevention and Education
Social Assistance
Information and lobby
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Permanent contacts with media, interviews,
drafting publications, articles.
Lobbying and monitoring of implementation of
international standards and instruments
pertaining to human rights.
Development, follow up and active participation
in the implementation of the Naional Plan of
Action for Fighting Human Trafficking and
Illegal Migration in Macedonia.
Prevention and education
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Raising of the level of knowledge and sensitivity
among the community at large and among the
professionals;
Providing information pertaining to the risk of work
abroad;
Support of women in decision making;
Education of professionals for the purpose of
procurement of information and assistance (police
officers, teachers, social workers, doctors, etc.);
Provision of information through the SOS line for help
from trafficking in human beings
SOS LINE
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The SOS free line for national calls is 0 800
11 111 and 00389 2 277-7070 for callers
from national calls and abroad.
From October 2002 till September 2010 on
the line are registered 3011calls
Working time 24/7
Types of assistance provided by the
SOS line
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Emotional help;
Psycho-social help;
Information on risk-free departure/travelling
and work abroad;
Basic legal assistance;
Information and assistance to a client in need;
Help in establishing contacts with relevant
institutions.
Contact and facilitation in a process of
accommodation in a shelter
Cooperation with Terre des Hommes
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“Enhancing capacity to address trafficking in
especially children from a human rights
perspective in Southeast Asia, Southeast Europe
and Latin America”
March 2007-February 2010
Developed excellent cooperation on regional
level
Activities
1. Capacity-building of NGOs and media,
services providers and duty bearers;
2. Awareness-raising and empowerment (of
communities) at local level;
3. Advocacy at national and regional level;
and Establishing networks.
Social assistance
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In 2005, the Shelter for trafficked persons, was
opened as a part of the Social assistance
Program. Since opening, 70 clients received
accommodation and assistance.
Capacity of the shelter
Security – external Private Security Agency
Confidentiality- Personal information of clients
is kept highly confidential.
Shelter Team - functions 24 hours per day.
Trained professionals are working in shifts.
Social assistance
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Long-term accommodation
Covering basic needs (food, clothes, or hygienic
sets);
Trafficked persons are provided with adequate
psycho-social treatment;
Medical care;
Basic legal assistance provided by the skilled
lawyer;
Social assistance
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Contact with the family;
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Help in obtaining personal documents;
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Inclusion in the educational process and providing
vocational courses for further education
On-job training and help to the trafficked persons in
looking for a job.
Contact with foreign non-governmental organizations
members of the La Strada network and other (countries
of their origin);
Classification of Assisted clients by the age
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From 12 to 18
From 19 to 28
Over 28
43
18
9
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Classification of assisted clients by
education
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Up to fourth grade 20
Primary school
31
High school
10
College degree
2
No education
7
up to 4th grade
primary school
high school
College
no education
Profile of a trafficked person
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Generally aged between 12- 25 years
Often from high risk rural areas & poor families
Education - unfinished primary education
Family status - dysfunctional families
Types - sexual and labour exploitation in
restaurants in the west parts of Macedonia.
Origin - from the south - east part of Macedonia
Thank you for your attention
Open Gate – La Strada Macedonia
Tel/Fax:00389 22 700107
www.lastrada.org.mk