The Council of Europe Committee on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings held its third meeting on February 3 through 5, 2004, at the Human Rights Building in Strasbourg.  The Committee aims to draw up a European Convention on action against human trafficking.  At the meeting, the committee discussed methods of protecting the rights of trafficking victims, including both gender equality and criminal law measures.

For more information on the work of the committee, please see the website of the Council of Europe.  For more information about Council of Europe action in the area of human trafficking, please see the Trafficking Law and Policy section of this website.

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Romania's Ministry of Administration and the Interior, the United Nations Development Program and the U.S. Agency for International Development have launched a program designed to promote cooperation among Southeastern European countries in the fight against human trafficking.  The program involves the distribution of a manual to law enforcement officials and prosecutors with the goal of improving efforts to protect trafficking victims who agree to provide information or testify in connection with the investigation and prosecution of trafficking offenses.  The manual has been included in law enforcement training curricula in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey, the Ukraine and the U.N. Protectorate of Kosovo.

For more information, see the UNDP Press Release here.  For more information about international and domestic efforts to fight human trafficking, see the Trafficking Law and Policy section of this website.

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Amnesty International Launches "Stop Violence Against Women" Campaign
5 March 2004

Today, Amnesty International launched its "Stop Violence Against Women Campaign" and released a report entitled, "It's in our hands: Stop violence against women."

With the campaign, Amnesty International seeks to mobilize "its membership worldwide to join forces with the global women's movement and other key actors, in efforts to eradicate violence against women in times of armed conflict and peace."

You may access the homepage of Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women Campaign here.  You may access the Amnesty International report on violence against women here.

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EU Leaders Commit to Agree on Draft Constitution by June
1 April 2004

On April 1, 2004, the leaders of the 25 current and future member states of the European Union unanimously committed themselves to reaching an agreement on the European Draft Constitution by their next summit, Jun 17-18, 2004.  The Constitution was submitted to the Presidency of the Council of the EU on July 18, 2003, and is currently being reviewed by the Intergovernmental Conference.  After the Constitution is approved by the member state leaders of the Intergovernmental Conference, it will need to be ratified by each member state, a process that is estimated to last two years.  Once ratified, the Constitution will make the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union binding law. 

European Union Law and Policy on Trafficking page of this website has additional information on how the Constitution and the Charter of Fundamental Rights address the issue of trafficking in women.

The biweekly bulletin of the Constitutional Convention tracks the latest developments on the agreement process. 

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UN Commission on Human Rights Considers Appointing a Special Rapporteur on Trafficking
16 April 2004

In connection with the 60th Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the permanent missions of Australia, Costa Rica, Congo, Germany, Libyan Arab Jamahiriy, Nigeria, Philippines, and Poland and the Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights met today to discuss a proposal that the Commission appoint a new Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children. See the schedule of meetings for the 60th Session here.

A recent article published through the Asian Centre for Human Rights suggests that the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking will be mandated to gather and exchange information from governments, non-governmental organizations and victims of trafficking in order to propose appropriate measures to prevent and remedy trafficking violations. In addition, the Special Rapporteur could report to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on trafficking patterns which require immediate intervention, and would be able to advise UN and national governing bodies on how to streamline their anti-trafficking programs for greater effectiveness.

In an article through the United Nations news service, Juan Miguel Petit, Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Pornography, expressed his support for the creation of this new post. He remarked that the Special Rapporteurs will have to closely coordinate to avoid a duplication of efforts. To this effect, he suggested that the post not be limited to the issue of trafficking in women and girl children for purposes of sexual exploitation, and that the post have a determined geographic (rather than world-wide) scope.

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UN Commission on Human Rights Approves Appointment of Special Rapporteur on Trafficking
19 April 2004

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights approved today the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.  The Special Rapporteur's mandate will focus on the human rights aspects of trafficking, and will be responsible for an annual report and recommendations on measures needed to protect victims of trafficking. 

For more on this decision, see the UNCHR press release and the news article available on this website.

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European Commission Adopts Opinion on Croatia's Application for EU Membership
20 April 2004

On 21 February 2003, Croatia submitted an application for membership in the EU. Upon request of the Council of the EU, and in accordance with Article 49 of the EU Treaty, the European Commission prepared an opinion on Croatia's membership. On 20 April 2004, the European Commission adopted itsopinion on the application of Croatia for membership of the European Union (PDF, 129 pages) and recommended that the Council begin negotiations with Croatia on membership. The opinion examines Croatia's ability to fulfill political, economic and other obligations as required for EU membership. With respect to civil and political rights, the Commission found that discrimination is prohibited by the Croatian Constitution and penalized in Criminal Code. In terms of social policy and employment, the opinion noted that Croatia has basic legislation in place that address equal treatment for women and men. It noted, however, that provisions that over-protect women should be removed and that measures are required to implement anti-discrimination provisions in the law. Overall, the opinion noted that Croatia should make considerable efforts to align its domestic laws with the acquis communautaire in the area of social policy and employment.

For more information on Croatia, please visit the Croatia section of this website.

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EU Adopts Directive on Short-Term Residence Permits for Trafficking Victims
29 April 2004

In the European Union Press Release of April 29, 2004 (Document Number 8694/004 (Presse 123)) that summarizes the proceedings of the 2579th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of the European Union, the Council announced that it had adopted

a Directive on the residence permit issued to third-country nationals victims of trafficking in human beings or to third-country nationals who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration who cooperate with the competent authorities (14994/03). The purpose of this Directive is to strengthen the European Union’s legislative framework for combating illegal immigration by granting a residence permit of limited duration for the victims of action to facilitate illegal immigration and of trafficking in human beings. The granting of the residence permit to which a certain number of benefits is attached is subject to conditions designed to encourage these people to cooperate with the competent authorities against those suspected of committing the crimes in question.

The Directive was written by the European Commission and received the approval of the Justice and Home Affairs Council on November 2, 2003. A copy of the directive as proposed is available here. It is the revision of a previous proposal that was tabled on February 11, 2002 and that was wider in scope.  For a summary and analysis of the first proposal of the Directive, please see the Trafficking Law and Policy: Regional Law and Standards and the Trafficking in Women Legal Protection sections of this website.

Please note that, on March 9, 2004, the European Parliament voted in support of the then proposed directive.  The Parliament also voted to include amendments to give victims greater access to support services, including the possibility of residency permits for family members and adequate language translation services. The result of Parliaments vote was a non-binding Opinion that was presented to the Council of Ministers prior to their adoption of the directive. 

For details on the amendments to the directive suggested by Parliament, see the resolution included at pages 40 to 47 of Texts Adopted at the Sitting of Tuesday, 9 March 2004. For more information on the role of the European Parliament within the European Union, please see the International Law: European Union section of this website.

Eight CEE Countries Accede to the European Union
1 May 2004

On May 1, 2004, the European Union was enlarged by the accession of ten new Member States: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia from Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Malta and Cyprus. Specifically, this date marks the entry into force of the EU Accession Treaty, which was previously approved by the European Council and Parliament, ratified by the existing Member States and the Candidate States (the latter through  national referendums). The official enlargement ceremony was held in Dublin, Ireland, where the new Member States were welcomed by European Commission President Roman Prodi, European Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen and European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection David Byrne.

Prior to joining the European Union, each Candidate State was obligated to fulfill the Copenhagen Criteria, a set of economic and social requirements, and to adhere to the acquis communautaire, the collective policies and rules of the EU.

The European Union Enlargement website contains information on the accession negotiations and a profile of each new Member State.

For more information on the European Union accession process and its relationship to womens rights, please see the Enlargement of the European Union section of this website.

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EU Adopts Daphne II Program to Combat Violence Against Women and Children
6 May 2004

Amnesty International has expressed its concern over Protocol 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which was opened for signature during the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers' session of 12-13 May, 2004. Foreign Ministers and representatives of seventeen member states signed the protocol on 13 May.  These states include Armenia, Croatia, Estonia, Denmark, France, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, and Switzerland.

Protocol 14 sets new admissibility criteria for cases regarding human rights violations. While Amnesty International endorsed the widely-held view that the European Court of Human Rights must reform in order to address its significant increase in applications, it argued in a press release that “the new admissibility criteria proposed is vague, could lead to arbitrary decisions, and could be applied differently in respect of different states and by different Chambers of the Court.” Amnesty International stated that the proposed criteria does not adequately address the Court’s main challenges; namely, to efficiently screen applications and expeditiously render judgments. It also disapproved the Protocol’s provision to include a representative judge from a state contesting the application of the expedited procedure, citing concerns of bias.

Meanwhile, in its May 11 press release, AI approved of the following components of the reforms: 

• better implementation of the European Convention at national level which, if implemented, would lead to fewer violations and the creation or improvement of redress mechanisms in member states;
• the expeditious and effective filtering of applications and rendering of judgments on the merits;
• the strengthening of monitoring of the implementation of the Court's judgments by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers.

"Amnesty International also welcomes the proposal to create an expedited procedure to handle 'manifestly well-founded' cases, concerning violations of the European Convention about which the Court's case-law is clear."

Cited from the AI Press Release, AI Index: IOR 30/013/2004 (Public) News Service No: 120, 11 May 2004.

For more information concerning the reform of the European Court of Human Rights, please see a Council of Europe summary here. 

For more information about the procedures of the European Court of Human Rights, please see the International Law: European Court of Human Rights section of this website.  

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OSCE Releases Guidance on Protecting Trafficking Survivors and Appoints Special Representative Against Human Trafficking
14 May 2004

On May 14, 2003, the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) announced the publication of a handbook to guide OSCE participating states in creating and sustaining a National Referral Mechanism  to protect and promote the human rights of trafficked persons. The handbook can assist OSCE participating States in implementing the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, which encourages the establishment of multidisciplinary teams to develop and monitor anti-trafficking policies.

This development follows on the May 13 appointment of Dr. Helga Konrad as the OSCE Special Representative on Trafficking in Human Beings by the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy.  Dr. Konrad, former chairperson of the Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, has stated that "[i]t is my intention to tackle all the dimensions of human trafficking, not just trafficking for sexual exploitation but also trafficking into forced and bonded labour and in particular trafficking in children and minors."  From OSCE Press Release Dated 13 May 2004 available here.

For more information on OSCE policy statements relating to trafficking, see the section of this website relating to Trafficking Regional Law and Standards: OSCE.

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Anti-Slavery International and Amnesty International Seek NGO Role in Drafting of European Trafficking Convention
1 June 2004

Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International issued a public statement today urging greater transparency in the drafting of a European Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings.  In September 2003, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers began the process of drafting this convention with the intention of focusing on human rights and victim protection and incorporating a gender perspective.  The Committee of Ministers created an Ad Hoc Committee on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (CAHTEH) charged with drafting the convention.  CAHTEH has held four meetings to date and plans to meet at the end of this month to discuss provisions relating to the protection of the human rights of trafficking survivors. 

The Amnesty/ Anti-Slavery statement includes requests for (1) the public distribution of the draft text of the convention so that NGOs may provide CAHTEH with comments; (2) the invitation of relevant NGOs and experts to address CAHTEH; and (3) COE Member State consultation with NGOs and experts serving trafficking survivors in their countries.

For more information, please see this statement available on the Amnesty International website here. Please see also the Council of Europe website that has been created to cover developments related to this drafting process: www.coe.int/trafficking. 

For more information, please visit the Trafficking Law and Policy: Council of Europe section of this website.

New Webpage for Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women
4 June 2004

The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has created a new webpage for the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women. The page includes documents of the Special Rapporteur and other information on key issues, countries visited by the Special Rapporteur and international standards relating to violence against women.

EU Parliament Launches 2004 Elections Website
8 June 2004

The European Parliament recently announced the creation of a website to provide up-to-date information on the upcoming Parliamentary elections on 13 June 2004. The website was designed to provide the media with detailed election information as well as to inform citizens about candidate parties and platforms. The website will publish the national and European-level election results for all twenty-five countries on June 13.

For more information on the EU, please visit the European Human Rights System section of this website.

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Government Responses on Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action Now Available
11 June 2004

To prepare for a "Review of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly" during its forty-ninth session, the U.N. Division for the Advancement of Women sent a questionnaire (PDF) to all governments requesting information on accomplishments and obstacles to implementing the Beijing Platform for Action. Responses were due by 30 April 2004 and are now available in the original language of submission on the U.N. Division for the Advancement of Women website. 

Compiled from: U.N. Division for the Advancement of Women website.

For more information, please visit the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action section of this website.

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Capita Conference: Tackling the Trafficking of Women and Children
14 June 2004

Date: 30 June 2004

Location: Central London

Aim: This one-day conference has been designed to address how the trafficking of women and children into the UK can be dealt with at a national level, with specific reference to prevention of trafficking, identifying traffickers, victim support and effective prosecution.

Speakers include:

• David Ould, Deputy Director, Anti-Slavery International 
• Carron Somerset, Acting Campaign Co-ordinator, ECPAT UK
• Karen Tatom, District Manager, County Asylum Team, Kent County Council
• Andy Johnson, Detective Sergeant, Joint De-Briefing Team, Kent Police
• Simon Jeal, European and International Division, Crown Prosecution Service 
• Laura Weight, Head of Organised Immigration Crime Section, Police Organised Crime Unit, Home Office
• Cameron Bryson, Immigration Inspector, Immigration Service

For more information or for a brochure, please visit Capita Learning and Development.

For more information about trafficking, please visit the Trafficking in Women section of this website.

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European Parliament Elects Seven Polish Women
16 June 2004

The Network of East-West Women reported that on the 13th of June seven women were elected to the European Parliament, resulting in a 12.96% vote share.

Compiled from: "7 Polish Women in European Parliament", Network of East-West Women Newsletter No. 36, 16-06-2004.

For more information, please see the Poland section of this website.

U.S. Blacklists 10 Nations In Anti-Trafficking Report
16 June 2004

In its annual report on human trafficking, released yesterday, the United States cited 10 nations for not doing enough to fight the crime and introduced the possibility of sanctions against them but dropped five other nations from last year's blacklist.

As in past years, Cuba, Myanmar, North Korea and Sudan were singled out. This year they were joined by newcomers Bangladesh, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Guyana, Sierra Leone and Venezuela. Those nations could see their non-humanitarian and non-trade-related U.S. aid cut off unless they show progress trying to curb trafficking by October, the U.S. State Department said.

Among nations removed from the list were NATO allies Greece and Turkey, both of which had protested their inclusion in the 2003 Trafficking in Persons report, as well as anti-terrorism allies Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Belize, Bosnia, the Dominican Republic, Georgia and Suriname were also dropped after having recorded improvements in fighting trafficking, according to the report.

Haiti, which also appeared in last year's survey, was placed in its own category to reflect that its new government, which took over after the Feb. 29 ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, has not had time to address trafficking.

The 10 blacklisted countries appeared in the category "Tier 3" for countries that have not taken "significant efforts" to prevent the trade in people, particularly women and children. Nations determined to comply with U.S. anti-trafficking efforts were put in "Tier 1," while those making "significant efforts" are given "Tier 2" status.

This year's report also created a "Tier 2 watch list" for nations that are not yet in compliance with U.S. standards but have pledged to take steps toward meeting the requirements, officials said.

The watch list included by far the largest number of the 140 nations surveyed. Japan, Greece, Turkey, India, Thailand appeared in this category along with 37 other countries (Agence France-Presse, June 14).

Cited from U.N. Wire, June 15 2004, available here. Copyright, National Journal Group, 2004.

For more information, please see the Trafficking in Women section of this website.

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EU Leaders Deliberate About Proposed European Constitution
17 June 2004

The draft European Union Constitution is currently being reviewed by the Intergovernmental Conference meeting on June 17-18 at the occasion of the European Council meeting in Brussels. If the Constitution is approved by the Member State representatives at the Conference, it will need to be ratified by each Member State, a process that is estimated to last two years. Once ratified, the Constitution will make the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union binding on EU Member States for the first time. The Charter of Fundamental Rights covers the entire range of civil, political, economic and social rights of European Union citizens and residents. Chapter One, Dignity, prohibits forced labor or slavery, including the trafficking of persons (Article 5). Chapter Three, Equality, addresses non-discrimination (Article 21) and equality between men and women (Article 23).

On April 1, 2004, the leaders of the 25 current and future Member States of the European Union unanimously committed themselves to reaching an agreement on the European Draft Constitution by their June 17-18, 2004 EU Council Summit. A similar effort six months ago was unable to produce an agreement. Increased political pressure to decide on the Constitution has been complicated by the recent European Parliament elections of June 14, which gave increased representation to “Euroskeptic” political groups.

A number of significant issues remain to be faced at the Intergovernmental Conference being held June 17-18. Medium-sized nations, including Spain and Poland, are resisting a voting system that would reduce the sizable influence they are currently accorded. In response, the EU’s presidency has just proposed modifying the “double majority” voting system (requiring a 50% majority of Member States and 60% of the EU population) by increasing Member State and population majority requirements to 55% and 65%, respectively. In other areas, Italy and Poland strongly favor including a reference in the preamble to God as a source of European values, an issue that is opposed by France and Belgium. Britain still favors keeping a veto right for taxation, social security and criminal law policies. Britain also wants a guarantee that the Charter of Fundamental Rights won’t create any new rights under national law that would affect Britain’s flexible labor laws. The Irish Presidency of the EU, as well as the leaders of France and Germany, remain optimistic about reaching an agreement on schedule.

The biweekly bulletin of the Constitutional Convention tracks the latest developments on the Constitution agreement process. The webpage of the Irish presidency of the European Council also covers the latest developments of the Intergovernmental Conference.

EU Countries Reach Agreement on Constitution and Declaration on Combating All Kinds of Domestic Violence
28 June 2004

On Friday, June 18, the Member States of the European Union reached an agreement on the EU Constitutional Treaty. 

The new treaty has four parts. Part I defines the aims, competence and institutions of the Union. Part II lists the fundamental rights of EU citizens. Part III deals with regulations concerning the Union's separate policy areas and part IV contains general and final provisions. 

In addition, the European Union Member States agreed on Protocols and Declarations to be annexed to the treaty. Addendum two contains a Declaration on combating all kinds of domestic violence. (p. 66, available below)

According to Juliette Kamper, a policy officer at European Women's Lobby, "this Declaration will have no legal status but represents a moral obligation and political will. The scope of the Declaration is limited in that it only refers to domestic violence; it would have been much better if it referred to all forms of violence against women.  However, the wording chosen is particularly strong as it calls on Member States to take all necessary measures to prevent and punish domestic violence and to support and protect victims." 

Compiled from "EU countries reach agreement on Constitutional Treaty", Government Information Unit, Press release 200/2004, June 18 2004, available here (PDF).

A provisional consolidated version of the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe is available here (PDF, 325 pages).

Addendum One: Provisional consolidated version of the Protocols annexed to the Treaty establishind a Constitution for Europe and of Annexes I and II, available here (PDF, 351 pages).

Addendum Two: Provisional consolidated version of the Declarations to be annexed to the Final Act of the Intergovernmental Conference, available here (PDF, 88 pages).

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Daphne II Information and Application Materials Now Available Online
30 June 2004

The Daphne II Program of the European Union runs from May 2004 to December 31 2008 and has a budget of 50 million Euros. The program is designed to support organizations that develop measures to combat all types of violence against children, young people and women.

Organizations from the 25 European Union member states are eligible to participate, as well as, organizations from EFTA/EEA countries and organizations from Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.

The European Commission’s Justice and Home Affairs website features updated information on the Daphne II program, available here. The website contains information on grant application, guidelines for applicants, and a catalogue of previous funded projects.

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Draft Text of Council of Europe Trafficking Convention Made Available to NGOs for Comment
1 July 2004

The Deputies of the Council of Europe have agreed to distribute the draft Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings being developed by  the COE Committee on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (CAHTEH) to the non-governmental organisations involved in the area of human trafficking for purposes of consulting them. The preamble of the draft convention, however, will not be distributed, as CAHTEH has not yet examined the preamble.

The text of the draft Convention can be requested from the Secretariat of the CAHTEH at the following address: DG2.trafficking@coe.int. NGOs can also send comments on the text to the same address.

In a news release issued on June 28 Amnesty International recommends that several key issues must still be addressed. These include identification of the victims of trafficking, provision for a reflection period during which victims are allowed to remain in a country, support services and protection, repatriation or resettlement of trafficked persons, and legal right to remedies.

The Committee on action against trafficking in human beings is meeting in the Palais de L’Europe Building from June 29 to July 2. On its agenda are various provisions of the draft Convention. These include questions relating to purpose, scope of application, the non-discrimination principle and definitions of the Convention; prevention, cooperation and other measures; measures to protect and promote the right of victims, including gender equality issues as well as substantive criminal law.

Amnesty International, Anti-Slavery International and Terre des Hommes will address the CAHTEH on June 29 2004.

Compiled from Amnesty International News Release, June 28 2004, AI Index: IOR 30/017/2004, available here, and Council of Europe, Action against Trafficking in Human Beings website, available here.

For more information, please visit the Trafficking Law and Policy; Council of Europe section on this website.

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UNHCR Chief Asks Woman to Drop Harassment Case
7 July 2004

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers has asked the staff member who accused him of sexual harassment to abandon the complaint, people familiar with the case said yesterday.

In a letter to the complainant, a 51-year-old American with 20 years of experience at the refugee agency, Lubbers also pledged that she would suffer no reprisals, the New York Times reports.

Lubbers, a former Dutch prime minister, has been under investigation by the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services since May 5, when the charges against him were filed. In an e-mail message to his staff later that month, he acknowledged the investigation and complained that U.N. officials were expanding their probe to see if there was a "broader context."

According to those familiar with the case, after the woman alleged to colleagues that Lubbers "grabbed her behind," four other female staff members told U.N. investigators of similar treatment.

The four other women's allegations reportedly appear in the investigator's final report, which Lubbers received in June and which Marie Okabe, a spokeswoman for U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, confirmed yesterday is now in New York pending final action.

Okabe declined to detail its contents or speculate on how Annan would react.

When the charge was filed in May, a senior U.N. official said Lubbers would have to resign if it were upheld.

In the May 28 e-mail, Lubbers acknowledged an incident with the 51-year-old woman but said it had been misconstrued. "I made what I consider, and I still consider to be a friendly gesture" to the woman after a Dec. 18 meeting with several officials. He offered an apology and said he "would have refrained" if he knew it would have been considered inappropriate.

Annan met with Lubbers yesterday at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. U.N. officials acknowledged the meeting but said they did not know if the sexual harassment case was brought up.

The case has garnered a great deal of attention in the Netherlands, and Okabe confirmed that Jan Peter Balkenende, the Dutch prime minister, had communicated with Annan on the subject.

Lubbers served as Dutch prime minister from 1982 to 1994 and was selected to lead UNHCR in 2000 (Fleck/Hoge, New York Times, July 7).

Published in: UN Wire, 7 July 2004, Copyright, National Journal Group 2004.

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NATO Bans Sex with Trafficked Women
9 July 2004

NATO yesterday said its troops who have sex with women who may be victims of human trafficking will be punished.

A NATO statement released on 8 July says the alliance has a "zero-tolerance policy" regarding trafficking in human beings and that extends to troops who procure the services of women sold into sex slavery.

The guidelines were adopted by leaders of the 25 member states and were backed by 21 others -- including Russia, Ukraine, and Sweden, countries that have joined NATO peacekeeping missions.

The guidelines state: "NATO staff will not engage in trafficking in human beings, including for the purpose of sexual exploitation, nor will they facilitate it."

The agreement follows accusations from human rights groups that NATO peacekeepers and civilian staff working for international organizations had fueled the growth of sexual slavery in the Balkans.

(AP/Reuters)

Copyright (c)2004. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org

For more information, see the Trafficking in Women section of this website, including the narrative on NATO: Policy Relating to Military Personnel and Trafficking.

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Women Constitute 30 Percent of EU Parliament Members
12 July 2004

Following the June 2004 election of members of the European Parliament, the percentage of women MEPs is around 30 percent, down slightly from the 31.31 percent in the previous legislature.

According to the EUObserver, Sweden is the only country among the 25 EU states to have more women than men as MEPs (11 out of 19). Two new EU countries, Cyprus and Malta, have no women members of parliament; Poland has 7 women out of 54 MEPs.

The slight overall decrease in the percentage of women MEPs was not unexpected, given that the newer member states have fewer women MEPs (only one-fifth overall).

Compiled from: EU Observer, News Release, 6 July 2004.

For more information, see the European Human Rights System section of this website.

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Amnesty International Urges New EU force in Bosnia to Learn from NATO’s Mistakes
22 July 2004

Amnesty International issued a press release on 12 July 2004 directed toward European Union foreign ministers as they adopted guidelines for the EU military operation (“ALTHEA”) that will be replacing the NATO-led SFOR mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina. AI stated its concerns that SFOR has failed to adhere to international human rights law standards, including instances of arbitrary arrest and the ill-treatment of detainees. AI attributed SFOR’s failures partly to a lack of adequate civilian control and appealed to the EU's ALTHEA mission to ensure the highest standards of troop behavior and accountability.

AI called on the EU to:

• commit itself to abide fully by international human rights law, and to ensure that its standards are applied in ALTHEA operations;
• establish a centralized system of civilian control over ALTHEA;
• establish centralized and transparent procedures whereby allegations of human rights violations by ALTHEA members are thoroughly and impartially investigated and disciplinary procedures and criminal proceedings are initiated against ALTHEA members who are reasonably suspected of having committed human rights violations;
• grant jurisdiction to the Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina over ALTHEA activities;
• provide comprehensive and consistent training in international human rights standards to all ALTHEA personnel;
• actively seek those indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, coordinating its activities with NATO forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina where appropriate, with a view to arresting the suspects and transferring them to the Tribunal's custody;
• immediately turn over to the competent authorities of Bosnia-Herzegovina all individuals detained by ALTHEA, for whom no arrest warrant was issued by the Tribunal;
• discontinue SFOR’s current practice of arbitrary detention;
• adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation, including prohibiting through disciplinary and criminal sanctions, the use of women and girls trafficked into forced prostitution;
• ensure reparation, including paying appropriate compensation, to victims of human rights violations committed by its personnel.

For more information on the European Security and Defense Policy's ALTHEA mission to Bosnia, see the Council's conclusions of 12 July, 2004. 

For more information on NATO's policies on trafficking in humans, please see the Trafficking Law and Policy section of this website here.

South Eastern States in EU by 2014, Says Austrian Chancellor
30 July 2004

The Austrian chancellor has said that it could be possible for the South Eastern European countries to the join the EU by 2014.

Speaking after a meeting with South Eastern leaders on Wednesday, Wolfgang Schüssel said that the "biggest success is that region is out of the headlines," according to Austrian newspapers.

Erhard Busek, the special coordinator of the Stability Pact for the region said "the priority of EU enlargement is southeastern Europe, there is no other direction".

The meeting was attended by leaders from Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro and Romania.

Both Romania and Bulgaria are set to join the EU in 2007.

The region has also been told directly by Brussels that EU membership is a definite prospect.

"The process of European unification will not be completed unless the countries of the Western Balkans become members of the European Union", said European Commission President Romano Prodi last year.

The countries of the Western Balkans are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro.

Cited from: EU Observer, "South Eastern States in EU by 2004, Says Schussel," 27 July 2004.

Hiring Process for the Position of UN Special Adviser on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women
2 August 2004

Representatives of several women’s advocacy organizations at the United Nations and the Chair of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women,  New York, met with the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Louise Frechette, to discuss the vision and hiring process for the position of UN Special Adviser on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women. Ms. Angela King,  who had served as the Special Adviser since 1997, announced her retirement in March.

For more information on this meeting, please see Women’s Tribune Center website, or contact: Bani Dugal, Chair, NGO/Committee on the Status of Women/NY, PO Box 3571 Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163 USA. Tel: 1212-692 0725; Fax: 1212-692-0724; email ngo_csw_ny@hotmail.com.

Compiled from:
Anne S. Walker, Initiatives and Activities of Women Worldwide, Women's Tribune Center, 8 July 2004.

The European Commission Launches Public Consultation on Anti-Discrimination
2 August 2004

The European Commission has launched a public online consultation in order the engage the general public in the development of anti-discrimination policies. The consultation website, called Green Paper, includes the European Commission’s analysis of the progress that has been made so far in the field. It seeks comments on how the EU can continue and reinforce its efforts to combat discrimination and to promote equal treatment. Responses would be collected through an online questionnaire. The public consultation period begins on 1 June 2004 and ends on 31 August 2004.

For more information, and links to the Green Paper and Questionnaire, please visit the European Commission website on Anti-Discrimination, Fundamental Rights, and Civil Society.

New United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking Named
2 August 2004

Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has been named to be the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children. In her thirty years of professional life, Ms. Johnson Sirleaf has been the Minister of Finance of Liberia; President of the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment; Vice President of Citicorp, Vice President of Hong Kong Equator Bank and a Senior Officer of the World Bank. Ms. Sirleaf has also served on different advisory boards and committees abroad and in her home country.

Compiled from:
Human Rights Commission Chairman Nominates Experts for Fact-Finding Mechanisms, United Nations Press Release, HR/CN/1100, 12 July 2004. Women’s United Nation Report Network Newsletter, 2 August 2004.

Commission Goes to European Court of Justice to Enforce EU Anti-Discrimination Laws
13 August 2004

The European Commission has announced that it is taking legal action in the European Court of Justice against six Member States that have failed to transpose two anti-discrimination Directives. Austria, Germany, Finland, Greece, Luxembourg have failed to codify both Directives, and Belgium has failed to codify the Employment Framework Directive. The Directives - the Racial Equality Directive and the Employment Framework Directive - prohibit discrimination on racial or ethnic origin, age, disability, religion and sexual orientation and were due to be incorporated into national law last year. Specifically, the Racial Equality Directive prohibits racial discrimination in a wide range of areas, including access to jobs, working conditions, pay, education, access to goods and services and social security. The Employment Framework Directive prohibits discrimination against people on the grounds of age, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation, in employment and vocational training.

The European Commission's decision to enforce the EU's directives on racial equality and anti-discrimination has positive implications for another recent EU directive on gender equality, which strives to provide stronger support for employees who perceive that they have been treated unfairly by an employer because of their sex. This directive also defines sexual harassment and establishes it as a form of sex discrimination. Specifically, the commission's decision to enforce the directives on race and discrimination suggest that the commission may also act to enforce the gender equality directive when it is due to be transposed into law in 2005.

For more information please see the European Commission's Annual Report on Equality and Non-Discrimination.

Sources:

"Commission goes to the European Court of Justice to enforce EU anti-discrimination law," Press release, Employment and Social Affairs Division, European Union, July 2004

European Organization Calls for Alliance Against Trafficking
13 August 2004

A one-day meeting was held by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna today aimed at creating a broad Alliance Against Trafficking in Persons of international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in order to support governments to "more efficiently fight this modern scourge."

"We have to pool our forces and resources," said Helga Konrad, the OSCE's new Special Representative on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and organizer of the event.

"Many good things - ranging from structural and institutional measures and collaborative initiatives to the development of comprehensive action plans at national levels - have been done and continue to be done," she said. "Yet, in spite of all these activities there does not seem to be evidence of a substantial reduction of human trafficking.

"So the question is no longer: 'What can be done about human trafficking?' but rather 'How we can do more and do it better'. There is no time to lose or waste," urged Ms. Konrad.

For more information, please see the OSCE's 23 July 2004 press release.

New Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women Appointed
16 August 2004

On 12 August 2004, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced the appointment of a new Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women. Rachel Mayanja of Uganda, formerly the Director of the Human Resources and Management Division of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, will be the new Special Adviser.

Compiled from:

United Nations Press Release SG/A/884, 12 August 2004.

Highlights of the Noon Briefing, Denise Cook, Associate Spokeswoman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, UN Headquarters, New York, 12 August 2004.

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Latvian MEP plans ethnic minority group in European Parliament
19 August 2004

Latvian MEP Tatjana Zdanoka is planning to set up a group for ethnic minorities in the European Parliament.

Ms Zdanoka, who herself is from the Russian minority in Latvia, told news agency LETA that after the summer break she wants to get further with her intention to be at the "project stage".

However, at this point it is not clear which other MEPs would be interested in taking part in this ethnic minority group.

According to Der Standard, the Latvian said she also intends to put the issue of the, mainly Russian, 'non-citizens' on the Brussels agenda.

These non-citizens account for approximately one fifth of the country’s 2.32 million inhabitants and enjoy no political rights in the country.

Ms Zdanoka also wants to set up a European taskforce for minority issues - she is a member of the European Parliament's civil liberties committee and overall a member of the Green group.

Cited from: Latvian MEP plans ethnic minority group in European Parliament, Honor Mahoney, EU Observer, 19 August 2004.

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Draft Text of Council of Europe Trafficking Convention Now Available
23 August 2004

The Council of Europe Committee on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (CAHTEH)'s first draft of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings is now completed and available to the public. CAHTEH aims at drawing up a European Convention on action against trafficking in human beings. This instrument is expected to be a practical tool of international co-operation geared towards the protection of victims' rights and the respect for human rights. It will aim at a proper balance between matters concerning human rights and prosecution and should build on the United Nations' achievements in this field in a European context. The Directorates General on Legal Affairs and Human Rights will jointly coordinate the work, expected to be finalized at the end of 2004.

More specifically, this document contains the draft Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings as revised during the 5th meeting of the CAHTEH held from 29 June to 2 July 2004. A previous description and some background are also available here on our site.

In response, the European Women's Lobby (EWL) has started a lobbying action in relation to this draft proposal. The EWL is very concerned that the amendments proposed after the 5th meeting of the CAHTEH would weaken the aims of the Convention and limit its scope to another instrument to combat illegal immigration. The EWL has observer status to the CAHTEH and participates in its meetings. The next meeting will take place in Strasbourg on 28 September - 1 October 2004. For more information on the EWL's action, write to centre-violence@womenlobby.org.

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New Permanent Gender Advisor in the U.N. Department of Peacekeeping Operations Headquarters
13 September 2004

Cited from: World: Conference Seeks to Assert "Gender Justice" in Conflict Zones, Robert McMahon, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 19 August 2004. Copyright (c) 2004. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org.

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Helinski Conference Calls for Wider Cooperation to Assist Trafficking Victims
24 September 2004

A conference organized by the OSCE’s office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights addressing the protection of victims of trafficking drew to a close today after finalizing a set of recommendations which will serve as a basis for future work of OSCE States to combat trafficking.

Participants of the conference emphasized the obligation of States to protect the rights of victims and urged increased cooperation between authorities, international organizations and civil society, including law enforcement agencies and NGOs. Participants also stressed the importance of improved victim identification processes and the need for strengthened social inclusion, victim protection, and gender equality as well as measures to fight prejudice.

Madeline Rees, Head of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office in Bosnia and Herzegovina said of the conference's recommendations: "It is important that we realize that the reality of trafficking changes constantly, and that we must react to it accordingly."

Conference participants argued the need for a methodology similar to the National Referral Mechanisms adopted in parts of Europe to compile information and figures on trafficking. Such a methodology would allow OSCE States to collaborate on providing assistance to trafficking victims.

Finally, participants suggested the establishment of an independent National Rapporteur in each OSCE country to advise authorities on action against trafficking.

"All of the trafficked people have their tragic story to tell, and a clear wish to retrieve their human dignity. I think we have an obligation to give them both hope and concrete action," said Elisabeth Rehn, Chair of the Working Table on Human Rights and Democratization within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.

Compiled from: OSCE/ODIHR conference in Helsinki calls for wider co-operation to assist victims of trafficking, OSCE Online, News, 24 September, 2004.

For more information, please see the Trafficking in Women: Protection, Support and Assistance of Victims section of this website.

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The Draft European Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings Must be Strengthened
27 September 2004

Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International are among 70 NGOs from Europe and beyond who are calling on the 45 Council of Europe Member states to enhance the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons. The call comes as the Ad Hoc Committee on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, (a group of government-representatives from the 45 Council of Europe member states, known as "CAHTEH") begins its penultimate meeting in Strasbourg, France on 28 September, to draft a European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings.

The number of people in the Council of Europe region who are affected by this contemporary form of slavery has increased dramatically over the last decade.

"Trafficking of human beings is, in itself, a serious human rights violation. It is an offence to the dignity and integrity of the human being and by its very nature - involving coercion and/or deception and exploitation - victims of trafficking are subjected to a range of human rights abuses. However, all too often, trafficked persons are misidentified by the authorities as undocumented and illegal migrants; they are often treated as criminals rather than victims of serious human rights abuses and are sent quickly back to their countries of origin, where many risk reprisals and/or re-trafficking. Such action also thwarts efforts to bring those responsible for trafficking to justice," said Mary Cunneen, Director of Anti-Slavery International.

"States have a responsibility, individually and in cooperation with each other, not only to take measures to prevent trafficking and prosecute traffickers, but also to protect and respect the human rights of trafficked persons," said Jill Heine, Legal Adviser Amnesty International, who will address CATHEH's meeting in Strasbourg.

Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International have welcomed the Council of Europe's focus on trafficking in human beings, and in particular the mandate of the Foreign Ministers of these 45 states to the CAHTEH to draft a European treaty which enhances the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons.

Having reviewed the most recent draft of the treaty, however, Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International consider that, during its two final meetings, the CAHTEH must strengthen some of the provisions if it is to fulfil its mandate to draft a treaty which designs a "comprehensive framework for the protection and assistance of trafficked persons and witnesses". Doing so will require states to go beyond existing norms enshrined in international and regional standards and national law.

In the joint Statement signed by over 70 NGOs working on trafficking and related issues in Europe and beyond, organisations call on the CAHTEH to ensure that the text of the European Convention against Trafficking identifies trafficking as a human rights violation and requires states to ensure:

- The prompt and accurate identification of trafficked persons by trained and qualified persons

- That trafficked persons are not detained, charged or prosecuted for the illegality of their entry into or residence in a country, or for their involvement in unlawful activities that are a consequence of their situation as trafficked persons

- The availability and access of trafficked persons to a full range of measures of assistance and protection measures and services, including medical and psychological care, and legal assistance safe and secure housing, on the basis of need

- That any person reasonably believed to have been trafficked is granted a period of at least 3 months to stay in the country (known as the Reflection and Recovery Period) while they begin to recover, to escape the influence of their trafficker and/or to enable them to make informed decisions about their future, including cooperation with law enforcement efforts, in security

- That following the Reflection and Recovery Period, trafficked persons are granted 6-month renewable and permanent residence permits on the basis of periodic needs and risk assessment, rather than solely conditional on the cooperation of the trafficked person with law enforcement efforts

- That no trafficked person will be returned to any country if there is a risk to their life or safety, including the risk of re-trafficking.

If these recommendations are adopted, the Council of Europe's treaty could fill a significant gap, as today there are no treaties that comprehensively address states obligations to respect and protect the human rights of trafficked persons.

Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International also call on each government in the 45 Council of Europe member states to hold consultations about this draft treaty with civil society, in particular with organizations and individuals which work with or on behalf of trafficked persons.

Background

The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers mandated the Ad Hoc Committee on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (known as CAHTEH) to draft a European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings by December 2004. During the upcoming meeting, 28 September - 1 October, the CAHTEH will complete its second reading of a draft of this treaty.

The Committee of Ministers specifically requested the CAHTEH to design a comprehensive gender-sensitive framework for the protection of the human rights of victims of trafficking, as well as focusing on prevention, investigation, prosecution and international cooperation.

The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, France was founded in 1949 to defend human rights, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law. To these ends, this inter-governmental organization has adopted 196 treaties, including the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and established monitoring bodies including the European Court of Human Rights. The current Member States of the Council of Europe are: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, FYR Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.Monaco is due to become the 46th Member State in October 2004.

For more information, please see the following documents:

Amnesty International's and Anti-Slavery Internationals General Recommendations on the draft European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings: http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacGVDabajXAbe1UKub/

Enhancing the Protection of the Rights of Trafficked Persons: Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International's Recommendations to strengthen provision of the July 2004 draft European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings: http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacGVDabajXBbe1UKub/

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Despite Promises Violence Against Women Continues Unabated
News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International

AI Index: ACT 77/078/2004 28 October 2004

Despite promises violence against women continues unabated

Amnesty International welcomes today's open debate in the UN Security Council to assess implementation of Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The organization urges all governments, the Security Council and the UN system as a whole to take concrete steps to make real the promises of Resolution 1325 for all women living in conflict affected situations.

Adopted in 2000, Resolution 1325 calls for increased protection of women during armed conflict, for an end to impunity for gender-based abuses during and after conflict, and the participation of women at all levels of decision-making related to prevention, management and resolution of conflict. Yet, notwithstanding modest progress in mainstreaming gender considerations in peace-keeping initiatives, violence against women and girls in conflict affected situations continues unabated and most acts of violence are never investigated nor are the perpetrators brought to justice.

The Security Council has before it the first Secretary-General's report on the state of implementation of Resolution 1325. Amnesty International welcomes this report and in particular its emphasis on preventing and responding to gender-based violence in armed conflict. Amnesty International shares the Secretary-General's concern that "thus far, the international community has not been able to prevent acts of violence against women from occurring during armed conflict".

Earlier this year, Amnesty International launched a global Stop Violence Against Women campaign, which aims to highlight the responsibility of the state, community and individual to take action to stop violence against women and girls and end impunity for perpetrators of such violence. Our research to date shows no reduction in this phenomenon. Rather, we are currently witnessing horrific levels of gender-based violence committed with impunity against women and girls in many conflict-affected countries, which the UN Secretary-General said "has reached almost epidemic proportions".

Amnesty International believes that the Security Council and UN system as a whole must do more to integrate the provisions of Resolution 1325 in their work. Since the adoption of Resolution 1325 in October 2000, less than 20 percent of Security Council resolutions include language on women or gender. Together with other NGOs, Amnesty International is urging the Security Council not only to call on the Secretary-General to establish a comprehensive UN-wide action plan, but also to establish a focal point and expert working group in the Security Council to ensure further integration of Resolution 1325 in all relevant areas of its work.

Amnesty International also welcomes the Secretary-General's recommendations on gender-based violence, and urges the Security Council, member states, and United Nations entities to take all necessary measures implement his recommendations:

- to apply increased pressure to parties to armed conflict to cease all violations of the human rights of women and girls,

- to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, including sexual and gender-based violations, and

- to conduct gender-sensitive investigations and report findings systematically to the Council.

Sign up to the Campaign "Stop Violence Against Women" at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacNM4abbdfWbdTh3Ob/

Take action!

Colombia: Women's bodies used as a battleground, http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacNM4abbdfXbdTh3Ob/

Timor-Leste: Five years on, Indonesia still denies justice to victims of sexual violence, http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacNM4abbdfYbdTh3Ob/

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Past and current Amnesty news services can be found at <http://www.amnesty.org/news/>. Visit <http://www.amnesty.org> for information about Amnesty International and for other AI publications. Contact amnestyis@amnesty.org if you need to get in touch with the International Secretariat of Amnesty International.

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Bush Refuses to Reaffirm Support for UN Women's Rights Agenda
21 October 2004

The United States has refused to join 85 other governments (including Mexico, Canada, China, Japan, all member countries of the European Union, among many others) in reaffirming the plan of action created in 1994 at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo. The Cairo plan was designed to grant women the right to make their own decisions regarding reproduction without discrimination, coercion or violence, in the interest of promoting sustainable development. Among the many principles of the Cairo plan are: recognition of the family as the basic unit of society, and a call to strengthen and protect it as such; a call to give the highest priority to children, and to provided children with a standard of living that is adequate for their well-being; and a call for states to take appropriate measures to ensure universal access to health care on a basis of gender equality, including services relating to reproductive health care.

The Bush administration has refused to endorse the plan because of its mention of "sexual rights" (a term the international community has not defined as a consensus), and because it fears the plan could be used to promote abortion. Many countries have assured the Administration that promoting abortion is not the intent of the plan, and that the plan does not promote abortion as a method of family planning. Despite the disappointing refusal to reaffirm support for the UN Women's Rights Agenda, the U.S. ambassador to the UN Economic and Social Council, Sichan Siv, said that the United States is committed 'to advancing the well-being of women and their families,' and that the U.S. is working towards the Cairo plan's goals in various ways. However, alleging that the UN aided China in programs that involved forced abortions (a charge the UN denies), Bush has blocked $34 million in funding approved by the U.S. Congress to assist the UN Population Fund (the principal UN agency implementing the Cairo plan), and has threatened to withhold contributions to organizations that maintain ties with the UN Population Fund, including the World Health Organization and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

In response to the lack of U.S. funding, the European Union will contribute $75 million to the UN Population Fund this year. The former EU commissioner, Hans Van Den Broek, who is a special EU envoy to the commemoration of the Cairo Plan, is calling for 'less ideology, more reality...' in order to achieve the plan's goals by 2015.

Compiled from: "U.S. Tells U.N. it Backs Population Agenda," Edith M. Lederer, Guardian Unlimited, 15 October 2004.

"Eighty-Five World Leaders Support Cairo Plan, Bush Refuses," Feminist Daily News Wire, 15 October 2004.

"Cairo Plan of Action--Principles," from Global Issues Population at the Millennium Electronic Journal.

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WIDE Annual Conference - Globalising Women's Rights: Confronting Unequal Development Between the UN Rights Framework and the WTO Trade Agreements
19 October 2004

For this year’s Annual Conference WIDE returned to Bonn, where 157 participants from 33 countries gathered to exchange ideas, experiences and strategies. As in 2003, the participants were an ebullient mix of first-time attendees and familiar faces. With some self-styled ‘WIDE dinosaurs’ and many young women from so many countries and cultures, the conference bubbled with energy and wisdom, intellectual riches and a keen sense of commitment, struggle and anger in the face of hegemonic capitalism, militarism and fundamentalisms.

In its work on the intersections and interactions between development and trade policies, WIDE stated a growing lack of coherence between two different global governance and rights regimes which impact national policies, the chances for gender justice, women’s rights and livelihoods.

This is on the one hand the human rights framework adopted by the UN and elaborated in various conventions, plans of action and development programmes, on the other hand the commercial and corporate rights codified in free trade agreements, be it multilateral, regional or bilateral agreements.

Although women’s economic, social, and political rights have been spelled out in CEDAW, the BPfA and other UN-documents, they are under attack, and it gets increasingly difficult to implement them in the context of neoliberal globalisation, an unequal development between and within countries, and the WTO-regime which expands its mandate.

The conference was preceded by an informative and empowering capacity-building day, which consisted of four seminars turning women’s eyes on the WTO; poverty eradication and the roles of poverty reduction strategy processes (PRSPs) and the MDGs; the trade and development policies of the EU; and the key UN instruments for gender equality, CEDAW and the BPfA.

• Summary of the conference
• Capacity building day

To order a copy of the conference report (8 Euro plus portage and packing) please contact Nerea Craviotto at info@wide-network.org. The URL for this record is: http://www.eurosur.org/wide/home.htm

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Urge Congress to Support the Bipartisan Senate 9/11 Bill
18 October 2004

Tell Your Legislators to Protect Battered Immigrant Women!

If you live in the following states: MI, CA, IL, WI, MO, ME, KS, MI, MS, OH, MN, NH, CT, VA, FL, NJ it is especially important that you call or email your Senators and Representatives today!

Selected Representatives and Senators from the states listed above will be meeting next week to resolve differences between Senate and House bills meant to respond to the 9/11 Commission's Report. The Senate bill, S. 2845 is a bipartisan measure that the 9/11 Commission has endorsed and does not include the harmful and divisive anti-immigrant provisions in House-passed bill, H.R. 10. These provisions will not improve security and should not be considered in the context of national intelligence reform legislation. Please contact your Representative and Senators today!

Click Here to TAKE ACTION NOW!

Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for your Member of Congress. Use the phone script below as a guide.

Forward this email to five friends.

Background: H.R. 10 is dangerous for battered immigrant women because it significantly expands the "expedited removal" process by allowing immigration officials to remove, without a hearing, anyone who entered the U.S. without permission and who has been in the U.S. for less than five years. This would mean that women who are here legally would be deported before they have a chance to prove why it is legal for them to be here. This is particularly problematic for battered immigrant women because batterers could more easily threaten their families with deportation if they sought protection. In addition, this provision could enable abusers to avoid prosecution for their crimes by getting their victims deported without any recourse or ability to seek help from police or victim services.

Sample Phone Script:

"As a constituent, I am calling to urge you to support the bi-partisan Senate 9/11 bill, S. 2845, and oppose the divisive and dangerous anti-immigrant provisions included in the House bill, H.R. 10. One provision of the House bill has particularly dangerous consequences for women and children seeking assistance and safety from domestic violence. This provision significantly expands the "expedited removal" process by allowing immigration officials to remove, without a hearing, anyone who entered the US without permission and who has been in the U.S. for less than 5 years. This would mean that some women who are here legally would be deported before they have a chance to prove why it is legal for them to be here. This is particularly problematic for battered immigrant women because batterers could more easily threaten their families with deportation if they sought protection. In addition, this provision could enable abusers to avoid prosecution for their crimes by getting their victims deported without any recourse or ability to seek help from police or victim services. Please support the Senate 9/11 bill!"

Thank you for taking action on this critial issue!

Cited from: Action Alert: Urge Congress to Support the Bipartisan Senate 9/11 Bill!, Family Violence Prevention Fund, last visited 18 October 2004.

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No Country has Reached Full Equality Under CEDAW
13 October 2004

In a statement marking the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the UN Committee overseeing the Convention recently noted that no country in the world has achieved full equality for women.

While certain countries have made great progress since the adoption of the Convention in 1979, many states party to the Convention continue to uphold discriminatory national laws, for example. Even in those countries, which have implemented laws to promote equality, informal discrimination persists.

The Committee also voiced concern about the increasing problem of trafficking of women and girls and the escalation of violence against women. Although violence against women is now considered a public concern, the practice continues in all countries, particularly in those faced with economic and political upheaval.

Further, the Committee expressed its disapproval of the underrepresentation and in some cases, absence, of women in politcal and civic life in countries that are party to the Convention.

Despite such examples of ongoing discrimination towards women, Deputy-Secretary General of the Committee, Louise Frechette, told a rountable at UN Headquaters: "The Convention remains the most solid global tool in the network for true gender equality in the home, the community and society; and for freedom from discrimination, whether perpetrated by the State or by any person, organization or enterprise."

The Committee pointed to positive steps taken by states to promote equality and eliminate discrimination against women including: Bangladesh's Constitutional Amendment to increase the number of seats reserved for women in the national parliament; legal reform prohibiting employment discrimination against women in Latvia; a new national ministry dedicated to the promotion and development of women in Angola; the opening of university-level gender studies centres in Kyrgyzstan; the development of eductional scholarship programs for women in Ethiopia; and the appointment of two women judges to Argentina's Supreme Court of Justice.

While many states have maintained reservations to key provisions of the Convention, limiting the Convention's positive impact in those places, a number of states have withdrawn either all or part of their reservations.  France, Ireland, Lesotho and Mauritius are examples of such countries leading the way toward a stronger, more meaningful CEDAW.

Compiled from: 

"UN committee for women's rights treaty says no country has reached full equality," UN News Service, www.un.org, 13 October 2004.

"On Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Women's Rights Convention, Committee Notes: Progress but Full Equality Still to be Achieved," Press Release, News, www.un.org, 14 October 2004.

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Press Release: Hearing of Commissioner Designate R. Buttiglione
12 October 2004

PRESS RELEASE OF THE EUROPEAN WOMEN'S LOBBY-ENCLOSED AND HEREUNDER

Date: 12/10/04- for immediate release

Press release

ONE WOMAN IN FIVE IN THE EU HAS EXPERIENCED FAMILY VIOLENCE, IS THAT WHAT M.BUTTIGLIONE CALLS "PROTECTION"?

While the debate over statements made by Commissioner Designate Buttiglione for Justice, Liberty and Security continues, the European Women’s Lobby would like to correct the somewhat distorted view of family life that has been given by M. Buttiglione in his statement that "the family exists to allow women to have children and be protected by their husbands".

"Unfortunately, the home and the family cannot be said to be the safest place for women in Europe. In the EU at least one in five women experience violence by their intimate male partner and 95% of all acts of violence against women take place within the home", stated Lydia la Rivière-Zijdel, EWL President.

Violence against women is the most serious violation of women’s human rights and fundamental freedoms and has been recognised as such in the European Constitutional Treaty where a Declaration has been introduced that calls on Member States to take all necessary measures to prevent and punish domestic violence and to support and protect the victims.

While the world prepares to celebrate the 10-year adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action in 2005, it is important to recall that women in Europe and around the world do not want protection from individual men. Women want equality in all areas of life, respect for their fundamental rights and freedoms, including sexual and reproductive rights and expression of sexual orientation, and justice before the law.

For more information, contact Colette De Troy at the Secretariat of the European Women’s Lobby: centre-violence@womenlobby.org tel. +32 (0) 2 217 90 20

With more than 4000 member organisations in all EU Member States, the European Women's Lobby is the largest coalition of women’s organisations in the EU

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Defense Department Drafts Anti-Prostitution Rule for U.S. Forces
5 October 2004

In response to the growing number of women and girls forced into prostitution by military services members, government contractors, and international peace keepers in places such as Eastern Europe and South Korea, defense officials have drafted an amendment to the manual on courts-martial that would make the use of services of prostitutes an offense for service members.

The amendment is a part of a larger initiative to ensure that American service members do not continue to contribute to the problem of human trafficking. Currently, new arrivals to duty receive instruction against participating in prostitution and human trafficking and the military is collaborating with South Korean law enforcement agencies. In addition, officials are in the process of developing a training program for service members that will explain trafficking, the Department’s policy on it and the possible legal repercussions for violation of the policy. Further, the military the ways in which it might restrict servicemen from frequenting businesses where prostitution and like activities take place. Finally, the military is making efforts to make on-base military life more tolerable by providing more evening and weekend education programs, band concerts, sports leagues and chaplain services.

Compiled from: "Anti-Prostitution Rule Drafted for U.S. Forces," Pauline Jelinek, The Washington Post, 22 September 2004.

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Violence Against Women Fuels Spread of HIV/AIDS
29 November 2004

News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International

AI Index: ACT 77/087/2004 24 November 2004

Violence against women fuels spread of HIV/Aids

Significantly more young women than men are now being infected by HIV/Aids as violence against women and girls fuels the spread of the virus. HIV/Aids is a human rights catastrophe which increasingly affects women, said Amnesty International in the report Women, HIV/Aids and human rights published ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

"The increasing spread of HIV/Aids among women and sexual violence are interlinked. If governments are serious in their fight against the disease they also have to deal with another worldwide "pandemic": violence against women," said Amnesty International.

Violence is a key factor in women’s risk of contracting the virus. Studies suggest that the first sexual experience of a girl will often be forced and we know that one in five women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. Traditional practices such as genital mutilation, early marriage, and the practice of newly bereaved widows being "inherited" by other male relatives also increases women's exposure to the virus.

Mass rape and sexual violence in conflicts drives the HIV pandemic, in countries as disparate as the DRC and Colombia. In the DRC tens of thousands of women were raped during the conflict and the health system has completely collapsed with only eight percent of donated blood being tested before use in transfusions. The situation in the war torn region of Darfur in Sudan is likely to go the same way given the similarities of rape and sexual violence again used as a weapon of war. The majority of women in Darfur have also undergone female genital mutilation, a factor increasingly likely to put them at risk of infection.

Stigma is still a serious problem - for both survivors of rape and people living with HIV/Aids. Women often refrain from seeking medical treatment following rape because of the risk that they will be identified as rape victims within their community and ostracized. In Colombia Amnesty International has received testimonies about people from stigmatised groups, including those thought to have HIV/Aids, who have "disappeared", been persecuted or killed.

"In many parts of the world stigma blocks the way for women to access appropriate medical health care and leads to the exclusion of women from families or communities," said Amnesty International.

Where women are denied property and inheritance rights, employment and access to finance, they are forced into dependence on men which places them in a very weak position to assert their rights and protect themselves from violence. Many women and girls also lack awareness of measures required for self-protection from HIV/Aids. In Ethiopia, for example, some 80% of married young women have had no education and are unable to read. Ensuring access to education including awareness raising about sex, health and HIV/Aids is fundamental to protecting the right of girls and women.

"Discrimination and unequal power relations make it more difficult for women and girls to control their lives and their own sexuality, including negotiating safer sex. Women must be empowered to act effectively in their own best interests," said Amnesty International.

To fight the spread of HIV/Aids governments must take effective measures to:

- Increase awareness of HIV/AIDS and ensure access to anti-retroviral drugs and appropriate medical care

- Stop violence against women

- Ensure education for women and girls, including information about health and sexuality

- Increase economic empowerment of women

- Undertake more effective public information campaigns to fight the stigma about HIV/Aids.

"If a government can't ensure access to adequate health care the international community has a responsibility to contribute material support, Amnesty International added.

Background

The number of people living with HIV/AIDS in 2003 was estimated by UNAIDS to be 35.7 million adults (of whom 17 million were women) and 2.1 million children. An increasing proportion of those infected with HIV/Aids are women. Globally, young women are 1.6 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS than young men according to UNAIDS. In Sub-Saharan Africa 57% of adults living with the virus are women, and two thirds of young HIV-positive people are women and girls.

Women are increasingly campaigning effectively for their rights. Grassroots activism by women, including in particular women living with HIV/AIDS, has accelerated in recent years.

Sign up to the Stop violence aginst women campaign at http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacT2zabb0sebdTh3Ob/

Take action!

Colombia: Women's bodies used as a battleground - http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacT2zabb0sfbdTh3Ob/

Timor-Leste: Five years on, Indonesia still denies justice to victims of sexual violence - http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacT2zabb0sgbdTh3Ob/

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For more information, please visit the Sexual Assault, HIV/AIDS and Other STIs section of this website

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Lithuania Ratifies EU Constitution
16 November 2004

Nearly two weeks after the European Constitution was formally signed, Lithuania became the first country in the EU to ratify it. The Lithuanian Parliament ratified the Constitution by an overwhelming majority on November 11. Lithuania seemingly beat out the European Parliament—which expected to be the first parliament in Europe to ratify the Constitution in December. Similarly, Italy was expecting to be the first member state to ratify the Constitution in its parliament. All twenty-five Member States must ratify the Constitution (through a referendum or parliament) before it can come into force.

Compiled from: Lithuania first to ratify EU Constitution, EUobserver.com, 11 November 2004. For more information, please visit the International Law: EU Constitution section of this website.

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European Parliament is Divided on Turkey
11 November 2004

The European Parliament will hold a vote on Turkey’s bid to join the European Union. There exist deep divisions within the parliament regarding Turkey’s possible accession to the EU, with many members of the parliament’s largest faction (the EPP) strongly opposed to opening accession negotiations. The president of the European Parliament, Josep Borrell, will travel to Turkey to deliver the verdict. Mr. Borrell announced that the vote will precede the Council’s decision on opening negotiations with Turkey in December. He is calling for a ‘lively European debate’ and thinks it appropriate for the EU’s only directly elected body to express its opinions and conclusions. A vote on Turkey is expected to take place on December 2.

Compiled from: Parliament President to deliver verdict on Turkey, euobserver.com, 4 November 2004.

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INSTRAW to Track Global Progess Made on Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
11 November 2004

In preparation for the 49th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2005, United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW) will attempt to track the global progress made on the achievement of the 12 Critical Areas (and associated strategic objectives) set forth in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (PfA). Such analysis, 10 years after the inception of the Beijing platform, will allow INSTRAW to assess the progress made on the PfA and its implementation, and identify persistent and future obstacles in achieving gender equality.

This review process should give INSTRAW insight into global and national commitments to the Declaration, as demonstrated by participation of high-level actors in the 49th session of the CSW, the production of national and global-level reports by governments, civil society, and international organizations, and the availability (or lack) of data and indicators related to the 12 Ciritcal Areas set out in the Beijing PfA.

The 12 critical areas include: women and poverty; education and training; women and health; violence against women; women and armed conflict; women and the economy; women in power and decision making; institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women; human rights of women; women and the media; women and the environment; and the girl child.

INSTRAW’s website will include reports on each of the 12 Crticial Areas, and a list of specific resources related to that issue, including materials, news items, and UN and other commitments and declarations. These resources will be uploaded as they become available. The first report, on Women and Armed Conflict, is available now.

Compiled from:  Home Page, United Nations International Research and Training Institute and Training Institute on the Advancement of Women, 2004.

For more information, see the UN Documents That Protect Women's Rights/ Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action section of this website.

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U.N. Security Council Urges Increased Effort to Protect Women
2 November 2004

After finishing a full day of debate on women, peace and security, the Security Council called on the U.N. to put forth a comprehensive effort to end violence against women and girls in war. The Security Council is also urging the U.N. to give women a stronger voice and position during the post-conflict peace processes.

 The Council released a presidential statement asking Secretary-General Kofi Annan to outline a plan by October 2005 showing how the U.N. can achieve these goals. Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of the United Kingdom said the plan of action would include a timetable for implementing specific goals, such as the elimination of gender-based violence and an increase in women’s participation in peace-keeping operations. The statement also urged the Secretary-General to identify female candidates for positions in peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and humanitarian operations; called for the elimination of impunity for perpetrators of violence against women and girls in war; recommended specific training for all staff involved in conflict or post-conflict operations in order to increase recognition and response to gender-based violence; and emphasized the need for support programs for victims of gender-based violence.

One of the purposes of the debate was to measure progress made since the Council adopted a resolution in 2000 decrying gender-based violence, and called for a reorganization in the planning of peace and security operations in order to ensure that women’s perspectives were always included. The Executive Director of the U.N. Population Fund has described international response as ‘completely inadequate’ and said that most of the progress made since 2000 has been in the creation of policies and guidelines—and not on the ground where girls and women continue to face violence. The Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations said that despite the challenges still being faced, the U.N. has been working harder since 2000 to include the needs and perspectives of women in its operations.

Compiled from: “Security Council urges stepped-up efforts to protect women from violence in war,” UN News Centre, 28 October 2004.

Security Council Press Release SC/8230, 28 October 2004.

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Online Discussions at WomenWatch
2 December 2004

Women Watch is hosting a series of online discussions from now until January 2005 to address progress made on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Focused on the Platform’s critical areas of concern and moderated by members of the Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality, individuals are encouraged to participate in the discussions. Insight gathered from the discussions will be summarized and submitted to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in February 2005 and posted on WomenWatch.

Current and upcoming discussions include:

Human Rights of Women

Moderated by OHCHR

8 November – 3 December 2004

Violence Against Women

Moderated by UNIFEM

8 November-3 December 2004

Women and Health (including reproductive health, AIDS and Human Rights)

Moderated by WHO, UNFPA and UNAIDS

10 November- 24 November 2004, 10-21 January 2005

Trafficking in Women

Moderated by UNODC

22 November – 17 December 2004

Women and the Environment

Moderated by UNEP

December 2004

Women and Poverty

Moderated by World Bank

10 January – 4 February 2005

Education and Training of Women and the Girl Child

Moderated by UNESCO/UNICEF

10 January – 4 February 2005

Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women

Moderated by ESCAP

Dates to be Determined

Women and Armed Conflict

Moderated by ESCWA

Dates to be Determined

Visit WomenWatch for more information on and to register to participate in the discussions.

Compiled from: WomenWatch, Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE), United Nations, 17 November 2004.

For more information, please visit the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action section of this website.

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Council of Europe: One More Chance to Enhance the Protection of Human Rights of Trafficked Persons
6 December 2004

News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International

AI Index: IOR 30/024/2004 6 December 2004

Council of Europe: One more chance to enhance the protection of human rights of trafficked persons

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International

Trafficking in human beings is a growing form of slavery which plagues Europe. The 46 member states of the Council of Europe have the opportunity to take a leading role in the protection of the rights of trafficked people; to do so they should further strengthen the draft European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, said Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International.

The call of the two organizations comes as government-representatives, who form the Ad Hoc Committee on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (known as "the CAHTEH"), begin what may be their last meeting to finalize their proposals for a treaty which aims to enhance the protection of the rights of trafficked persons, as well as to ensure greater efforts to prevent trafficking and the prosecution of traffickers. During its meeting in Strasbourg, France, from 7-10 December, the CAHTEH will review provisions of the draft European Convention on Action against Trafficking and then pass it to the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers for their consideration.

"People who have been trafficked are victims of a terrible crime. If their rights are to be protected from further violation and the fight against human trafficking strengthened, it is vital that the women, children and men who are trafficked throughout Europe are properly identified and ensured effective protection, regardless of whether they have been trafficked into prostitution or labour exploitation. The Council of Europe's convention on trafficking provides an opportunity to achieve this which must not be missed," said Mary Cunneen, Director of Anti-Slavery International, which has been working to eradicate slavery for over 160 years.

"Trafficked persons are bought and sold, kidnapped, lured by false promises of work or marriage, raped and subjected to other forms of torture and ill-treatment. Their passports and identity documents are often taken away by their traffickers; their freedom of movement is commonly restricted. Some are held in debt-bondage; others are not paid at all, they work, literally, as slaves. Many face threats to their lives and/or the lives of their family members if they attempt to escape or cooperate with law enforcement authorities", said Jill Heine, Legal Adviser for Amnesty International.

Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International warmly welcome the stated aim of the Council of Europe to draft a treaty which enhances the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons. The two organizations consider that the current (October 2004) draft needs to be strengthened, in order to meet its aim. To this end, the two organizations have published a document, Amnesty International's and Anti-Slavery International Recommendations to Strengthen the October 2004 Draft of the European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (AI Index: IOR 61/024/2004).

The two organizations have been alarmed to learn of a proposal which has been tabled by a government in recent days, after publication of their recommendations, that risks undermining the effectiveness of the draft treaty. The proposal is to include a provision that would make the Council of Europe's treaty subsidiary to European Union (EU) legislation on trafficking, with respect to EU member states.

"This proposal risks significantly weakening the European Convention against Trafficking. It risks being regarded as a green light to the EU to draft laws which are less protective of the rights of trafficked persons than the standards set out in the Council of Europe treaty. We urge that this proposal be vigorously opposed. It runs counter to the very object and purpose of the treaty, which was agreed by the representatives of the 46 states which sit on the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. Instead, the Council of Europe and the EU should be working cooperatively to ensure the highest protection of the rights of trafficked persons", Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International said.

In addition, the two organizations have called on the CAHTEH to ensure, among other things, that the text of the European Convention against Trafficking is strengthened by:

- Requiring states to ensure that persons experienced in working with trafficked persons are responsible for their prompt and accurate identification;

- Ensuring that trafficked persons are treated as the victims of the crimes that they are and are not detained, charged or prosecuted for the illegality of their entry into or residence in a country, or for their involvement in unlawful activities that are a consequence of their situation as trafficked persons;

- Requiring states to make available a full range of assistance and protection, including medical and psychological care, legal assistance, safe and secure housing, and education, in particular to children;

- Ensuring that persons reasonably believed to have been trafficked are afforded a minimum period of three months to begin to recover from their ordeal, escape the influence of their traffickers and make informed decisions about their future, including cooperation with law enforcement efforts to pursue their traffickers, in security; their presence in the country during this time should be regularized and recognized;

- Requiring that, following this period, trafficked persons are granted 6-month-minimum renewable and permanent residence permits on the basis of periodic needs and risk assessments;

- Ensuring that no trafficked person will be returned to any country if there is a risk to their life or safety, including the risk of re-trafficking;

- Ensuring the right of trafficked persons to reparation, including compensation, regardless of whether or not their traffickers are identified, arrested or prosecuted.

- Ensuring, as far as possible, that there are no safe havens for traffickers;

- Creating an independent expert-body, chosen in a transparent manner, to assist states in their implementation of this treaty, including by considering collective complaints about its implementation.

"If these recommendations are adopted, the Council of Europe's treaty could fill a significant gap, as today there are no treaties that comprehensively address states' obligations to respect and protect the human rights of trafficked persons," Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International said.

Background:

More than 170 other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from 30 countries have joined Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International in these calls; their statement urging the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers to strengthen the draft European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings was submitted last month.

It is expected that, following the CAHTEH meeting, the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers will forward the text of the draft European Convention against Trafficking to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), requesting their opinion by the end of January 2005. After consideration of this Opinion, it is likely that the Committee of Ministers will then adopt the European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in March 2005, and that the treaty will be opened for signature at the Council of Europe's Third Summit of Heads of State and Government in May 2005.

To arrange an interview or for further information contact:

Amnesty International's Press Officer Lydia Aroyo on +44 (0)20 7413 5599, +44 (0) 7771 796350, e-mail - laroyo@amnesty.org.

Anti-Slavery International's Press Officer Beth Herzfeld on +44 (0)20 7501 8934 or email b.herzfeld@antislavery.org.

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UNIFEM, INSTRAW Sign Agreement for Increased Collaboration to Promote Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
12 December 2004

UNITED NATIONS

Press Release

UNIFEM, INSTRAW SIGN AGREEMENT FOR INCREASED COLLABORATION, COOPERATION TO PROMOTE GENDER EQUALITY, WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

NEW YORK, 22 November (INSTRAW) -- For the first time in the history of both entities, the Directors of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW), Noeleen Heyzer and Carmen Moreno, respectively, signed an agreement to establish a flexible coordination mechanism for increased collaboration and cooperation towards the achievement of their common objectives of promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women, with due respect to their individual mandates. This agreement responds in part to the United Nations Secretary-General’s call for increased collaboration within the United Nations system, included in his recent report “Women and peace and security” on the implementation of Security Council resolution 1325 [S/2004/814].

The text of the UNIFEM-INSTRAW agreement highlights the significance of the year 2005 for the Review and Appraisal of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which “represents a crucial benchmark both for reviewing progress on the achievement of gender equality and for establishing future work programmes and priorities”. It also indicates that the integration of a gender perspective into the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals requires additional efforts.

Through the agreement, the heads of UNIFEM and INSTRAW express their conviction that building synergies and alliances to achieve their common purpose of promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women will further strengthen their work and contribute to the optimal use of available resources.

The complete text of the agreement is available through the INSTRAW Web site at www.un-instraw.org.

UN Press Release, 22 November 2004