Contributed by: Irena Milatovic and Vanja Mikulic, Montenegro National VAW Monitors

Representatives of the governmental and non-governmental sectors and the deputy state prosecutor signed the Memorandum on Cooperation for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. In cooperation with the OSCE Mission in Montenegro and the Office of National Coordinator for Anti-trafficking, the Memorandum was signed by the Minister of Education and Science, Slobodan Backovic, director of the Police Agency, Veselin Veljovic, Deputy State Prosecutor Tatjana Markovic, Deputy Minister of Health, Labour and Social Welfare, Snežana Mijuškovic, as well as representatives of NGO sector, Ljiljana Raicevic, Aida Petrovic and Ksenija Nerac.

Ambassador of OSCE Mission Paraschiva Badescu, said at the press conference that trafficking in human beings is the priority of the organisation, -we are dedicated to the eradication of all forms of slavery and its purposes. Women and children must be protected from smugglers and exploiters who oppress and deprive them from fundamental human rights. All the people participating in those criminal actions must be punished. "You can count on my personal support and dedication of the OSCE Mission in achievement of these goals," said Badescu. Minister Backovic said that his ministry has a specific task – People who were victims of trafficking in human beings will be provided with education and schooling, which means that they can gain first employment in our country. On the other side, we must include in the curricula the education for children on harmful effects of trafficking.

Deputy State Prosecutor Tatjana Markovic explained that the special annex of the Memorandum addresses trafficking in children for the purposes of adoption, intermediation in prostitution and transport of persons in relation to slavery. "Our aim is repression. Accordingly, in cooperation with NGOs, we wish to arrive at qualitative proof that all perpetrators of this criminal act will be punished, and to provide the victim with everything needed in protection of honour and dignity," she said. She added that the annex especially stresses the protection of victim. Veljovic stressed that the prevention of trafficking in human beings is one of priorities in police activity, which will be a reliable partner in the realisation of this major project.

Source: Daily newspaper “Vijesti”, Podgorica, 19 October 2007