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Final Result of Daphne Project Bridging Gaps Manual "Bridging Gaps - From Good Intention to Good Cooperation" Now Available for Download
8/29/2006 The final result of the WAVE Daphne Project is now available for download. The contents of this Manual evolved during the DAPHNE project BRIDGING GAPS, implemented by WAVE from April 2005 to March 2006. It is the final result of the project. The aim of the project was to develop guidelines and standards for good cooperation between state agancies and women's NGOs. The manual is based on the contributions of "bridging gaps" project partners from 11 European countries and draws upon the work and experiences of many committed experts and academics in the field. Coordinated interventions are needed to achieve the goal of preventing violence; no agency can succeed in isolation. Effective teamwork is needed rather than single players. This Manual aims at contributing to the development and improvement of effective multi-agency cooperation by providing background information as well as concrete guidance and recommendations. It is one of the main goals of this Manual to focus on the protection and safety of victims. All agencies involved in the issue, especially the police and the justice system, have a responsibility to protect the victims, to prevent further violence and to provide the best and most effective services and interventions. WAVE wants to thank the European Commission, all the project partners and associated partners as well as all the people and institutions who directly or indirectly supported this project. Download: The print version of the manual can be ordered at the WAVE office: office@wave-network.org
New Tactics in Human Rights Materials Available in Russian
8/28/2006 1:11 PM The New Tactics in Human Rights project now has a number of materials available in Russian along with a series of materials that are currently being translated into Russian and will be available soon. Please check the New Tactics website, or contact newtactics@cvt.org regarding your interest to be notified immediately of newly translated materials into Russian. Click here to see the listing of New Tactics materials in Russian.
Setting up Roadblocks for Human Traffickers within Kosovo
8/25/2006 Human trafficking - luring vulnerable people with false job promises only to force them into the sex industry, marriage or domestic labour - usually involves smuggling victims across borders. But as criminals in Kosovo try to stay one step ahead of the authorities, trafficking within borders, or internal trafficking, is quickly becoming the main concern. A new problem "We are now seeing a growing number of victims originating from within Kosovo," says Alma Begicevic, a Human Rights Adviser at the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. From 2000 to 2004, she adds, most trafficking victims found in Kosovo came from Moldova, Ukraine and Bulgaria. Because the problem is relatively new, few assistance organizations are able to identify internal trafficking victims, limiting the support they can provide. Human trafficking in general was not made a criminal offence in Kosovo until 2001. "Social workers, police, victim advocates, health workers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) devoted to helping victims have faced many uncertainties," says Begicevic. Since early 2005, the OSCE Mission has also been working with local and international actors to develop a comprehensive referral mechanism to ease the reintegration of trafficking victims in Kosovo, which was finalized in March 2006. Creating a standard procedure To ensure social workers, police and other relevant groups help internal trafficking victims as best they can, the Mission has taken the lead role in creating a standard operating procedure for identifying and assisting victims. It is currently delivering a series of training workshops to promote the document's implementation, which will run until September. The procedure outlines the roles and responsibilities of every organization and local actor involved. The workshops include role-playing, simulations, small working groups and interactive discussions. All major actors involved in Kosovo's anti-trafficking efforts - the OSCE, the International Organization for Migration, the UN Mission in Kosovo's Victim Advocacy and Assistance Department and the Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Labour and Social Welfare - as well as local NGOs, signed the procedure in March 2006. Albanian and Serbian versions were distributed soon afterwards. Breaking new ground "This is the first procedure dealing specifically with internal trafficking," says Basri Kastrati, a Victim Assistance, Support and Training Officer at the Ministry of Justice. "Staff members have been trained in combating external trafficking, but with domestic trafficking, approaches to identifying, protecting and reintegrating victims were still blurred," he says. The 15-page standard procedure includes detailed explanations, charts and illustrations so that those involved in assisting victims know what to do in any given situation. One example explains how adults and children need to be assisted differently. "We know that someone from the Centre for Social Welfare must be present when we are assisting a child, but the procedure outlines exactly how victim advocates can come in and advise during the process," says Kastrati. Encouraging co-operation A central goal of the training workshops is to encourage greater empathy and improve co-operation among all actors. For example, at the first workshop in Prizren on 19 June 2006, police officers and social workers swapped roles. Mexhit Bajrami has been a social worker in Prizren for 30 years: "After the role-playing, staff members from other organizations can better relate with the difficulties social workers face, just as I now better understand their roles." Setting up focal points in each agency and regional office will help to ensure these new networks continue to function. First step For Begicevic, the standard procedure is the first step towards reducing trafficking within Kosovo. "We have to bear in mind this is only the first training project dealing with internal trafficking," she says. "While it's an achievement, it also shows how much further we need to go. "The aim is to create, by the end of 2007, an institutionalized system where ministries and NGOs will have specific roles in combating human trafficking," she adds. Published in: Case, Dillon; Setting up roadblocks for human traffickers within Kosovo, www.osce.org 25 August 2006
Serbian TV Airs Documentaries on Domestic Violence
8/18/2006 2:05 PM SOS – Dossier (Violence in the Family), a four part documentary series will be aired on Serbian television. The documentary addresses the impact of domestic violence in the lives of several women living in Southern Serbia. SOS – Dossier was produced by the Vranje Human Rights Committee and Vranje Press Agency (AVP). This series is the first of its kind to be shown as an educational program on Serbian television, according to Suzana Antic-Ristic, Executive Director of SOS Dossier Project and coordinator of Vranje Human Rights Committee office (CHRIS network). Serbian TV stations can receive the series free of charge by contacting the producers at avpvr@ptt.yu. Compiled from: Dilic, Kora; Documentary Series on Domestic Violence, The Network of East West Women - Polska, August 18, 2006.
OMCT's Statement on Violence Against Women to the UN's Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
8/17/2006 9:32 AM The Violence against Women program of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) made a statement to the United Nation's Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. OMCT acknowledged the role the United Nations has taken in addressing violence against women as a violation that States are accountable for under their human rights commitments. The OMCT pointed out that “despite the progress of the decade following the Beijing Conference, numerous women around the world are still deprived of their right to life or their right to live with dignity.” OMCT asked that the Human Rights Council continue to stress the importance of combating gender based violence by maintaining the current mechanisms and studies, including the role of the Special Rapporteur. OMCT further advocated that, “[i]n the framework of human rights reviews in particular countries, UN mechanisms must serve as examples by focusing on all discriminatory practices towards women that are tolerated or perpetrated by governmental officials, and by strongly condemning them.” Compiled from: Duarte, Marina, Women and Human Rights - Statement of OMCT to the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights - Item 6.a) of the Agenda, www.omct.org, August 2006.
UNIFEM Launches report on “The Status of IDP Women in Azerbaijan”
Press Release
10 August 2006 While IDPs as a whole are vulnerable, IDP women remain strong: UNIFEM Launches report on “The Status of IDP Women in Azerbaijan” A rapid Assessment on “The Status of IDP Women in Azerbaijan” was launched on 25 July, 2006 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Representatives of UN agencies, the Government of Azerbaijan, NGOs and women’s networks, such as Coalition 1325 and National Network of IDP Women, took part in the launch of the Report. The UNIFEM Assessment was carried out by the Azerbaijan-based Sigma Research Center for Development and International Collaboration, with funding and technical support coming from the Agency. The primary goal of the Assessment is to map out the key challenges faced by IDP women in Azerbaijan and to integrate these priorities into key policies, such as the State Programmme on Poverty Reduction and Economic Development of Azerbaijan Based on the responses of over 230 IDP women, alongside those of local women, experts from the NGO and government sector, this Assessment provides a snapshot of IDP women’s lives and concerns through their own voices. “This Assessment will act as a platform for future advocacy work of the National Network of IDP Women” said the National Coordinator of UNIFEM regional project “Women for Conflict Prevention and Peace-Building in the Southern Cacuasus”, Ms. Gulshan Pashayeva. “While IDPs as a group are very vulnerable, IDP women remain very strong, - , Ms. Hijran Huseynova, Chairwoman of the State Committee for Family, Women and Children’s Issues, reiterated in her opening speech. “They maintain the family and care for the children, the elderly and those disabled as a result of the conflict, and in so doing, meet a lot of challenges. Therefore improving the overall situation of IDPs remains the main priority of the government of Azerbaijan”, - she stressed. “At the UN, we are very good at advocating on behalf of vulnerable groups, but such a report allows the women to speak for themselves and for us to listen said Mr. David Eizenberg, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Azerbaijan. “Through the voices of IDP women, the main challenges of IDP community have been raised in this Assessment”, - he underlined. Poverty and unemployment were named by IDP women as their greatest challenge – with there being very little in the way of economic opportunities beyond state assistance. The most pressing needs and priorities identified were inadequate infrastructure in serving the needs of the communities such as medical centers, educational resources, as well as public baths, access to safe drinking water, passable roads and proper shelters. Based on the results of interviews, analysis of government obligations, including those under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, this Assessment offers recommendations to the Government of Azerbaijan, civil society and international organization on how to improve the situation of IDP women. These include strengthening the gender components of state laws and programmes specific to IDPs; ensuring that local governments have the resources and understanding necessary to provide adequate public services for women, with particular focus on economic opportunities and access to health care services; strengthen links of IDP women with international and non-governmental organizations to build women’s capacity to participate in public life and widening possibilities for job creation. “The report documents a real situation which IDP women and girls face currently, - said Mr. Mahammad Maharramov, Deputy Head of the Department for Problems of Refugees, IDPs, Migration and Work with International Organizations at the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan. “In spite of the huge efforts the Government of Azerbaijan is undertaking to support IDPs, we have to admit that situation is still very difficult in many areas and more must be done.” he said. “This Assessment, its findings and recommendations will be a useful reference for us on the way to overcoming the isolation of IDP women, to help them participate and live in improved conditions and achieve a better standard of living”, said Ms. Huseynova. Since 2001, UNIFEM has worked in Azerbaijan under the sub-regional programme “Women for Conflict Prevention and Peace Building in the Southern Caucasus”. From assessing the situation of IDP women, supporting women leaders to work on gender equality and conflict resolution, to mobilizing youth on gender and peace, the UNIFEM project has been active throughout Azerbaijan. For more information, please contact: Olga Grebennikova, Communication Specialist, UNIFEM Regional Project “Women for Conflict Prevention and Peace Building in the Southern Caucasus”; (994 12) 498 98 88, mobile (994 50) 594 60 33, email olga.grebennikova@unifem.org ~~~~~~~ UNIFEM is the women's fund at the United Nations, providing financial support and technical assistance to innovative programs promoting women's human rights, their economic and political empowerment, and gender equality in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.unifem.org
European Women's Lobby Fights Trafficking in Women with Gendered Human Rights Approach
8/10/2006 The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) has stressed the importance of a gendered human rights perspective in implementing European Union policy concerning trafficking in women. In the first week of June, representatives from 16 countries, mainly from the region of Southeast Europe, met in Croatia to participate in a conference entitled, “Preventing Trafficking in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations: Who is Responsible?” The conference is one component of a larger project jointly coordinated by EWL and the Coalition against Trafficking in Women (CATW) that seeks to address the gaps in anti-trafficking programs and policies. The conference highlighted the critical role played by women’s NGOs in implementing and monitoring international anti-trafficking laws, as well as the importance of NGO-provided services to victims of trafficking. The EWL has also developed the Nordic Baltic Pilot Project, an initiative which aims to improve support systems for victims, facilitate safe returns for women, and provide rehabilitation to trafficking victims. The project seeks to define and address the problem of trafficking using a human rights model. Compiled from: "Combating trafficking in the EU: EWL develops steps for a gendered human rights approach," European Women's Lobby, www.womenlobby.org, Accessed 10 August 2006.
Responsibilities of Trafficking Destination Countries
8/4/2006 The Palermo Protocol calls for human trafficking destination countries to implement policies focused on prevention of trafficking and protection of victims. In her article, Responsibilities of the Destination Country, Cecilia M Bailloet argues that most countries are focusing on preventing trafficking but are not aiding and protecting the victims, and suggests that this places the fight to end human trafficking at a great disadvantage. The amount of re-trafficking is increasing. Victims who do not receive protection have an increased chance of being re-trafficked than those who are protected by the state. Norway has drafted an Aliens Law that allows trafficking victims permanent residency in the country in exchange for their testimony in criminal cases against traffickers. This law goes directly against the principles of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights which state that a victim does not have to participate in legal proceedings against traffickers in order to gain protection from the state. Many countries have made tighter immigration laws in order to fight human trafficking. Bailloet argues that this has not had the desired effect and instead has driven migration underground. The UNHCHR calls for destination countries to alter their immigration policies in order to allow the possibility of more legal migration in order to deter irregular migration and the risk of trafficking. Bailloet's article suggests that four main components of anti-trafficking policies should be: a one-year period of protection for all victims in the country, education on trafficking victim’s rights for those who work in the legal system, creating a source of funding to finance combined protection and prevention policies, creation of an inter-agency group focused on legal immigration alternatives for those at risk of being trafficked. Compiled from: “Responsibilities of the Destination Country,” Cecilia M Bailloet, Refugee Studies Centre. Forced Migration Review. May 2006, accessed 4 August 2006.
UNHCR Helps Europe Combat Trafficking
8/4/2006 A recent study published in 2005, Combating Human Trafficking: Overview of UNHCR Anti-Trafficking Activities in Europe, analyses UNHCR’s efforts, programs, and impact on the continent. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees focuses on refugees and other persons vulnerable to trafficking as well as those people who have already been trafficked. UNHCR works in cooperation with governments, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs to implement their programs and efforts to combat trafficking in the region. The study includes country-specific information and statistics, as well as legal frameworks and information on the implementation of programs. The intent of the report is to strengthen cooperation between UNHCR and its partners. The report found that human trafficking in Europe is increasing, with an estimated 100-500,000 people trafficked into the continent each year. As the European Union expands, the border countries are becoming key transit routes into the area. The report also found that most European countries have created action plans to combat trafficking, but the implementation process has not been smooth. The report also found that the main focus of these programs is on responding to trafficking, not addressing the root of the problem or prevention. Compiled from: “UNHCR’s role in combating human trafficking in Europe,” Malika Floor, Refugee Studies Centre, Forced Migration Review, May 2006, accessed 4 August 2006.
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