The fight against human trafficking in Europe and Asia: Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter calls for closer cooperation and concrete measures
Bern, 24.11.2015 - At the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) Seminar on Human Rights in Montreux on the theme of Human Rights and Human Trafficking, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter declared human trafficking to be a serious violation of human rights. A concerted effort could help stem international human trafficking, said the Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. The fight against human trafficking is the focus of the 15th ASEM Seminar on Human Rights. Switzerland is hosting this year's seminar and will thereafter become a partner of this platform for the promotion of human rights.
It is estimated that about 2.4 million people throughout the world are the victims of human trafficking each year, the majority of whom are women and children. It is difficult to come up with precise figures because human trafficking typically takes place in clandestine situations, and so official statistics do not reflect the real number of cases. Human traffickers exploit the poverty and hopelessness of their victims' situations and are not afraid to use violence, threats, assault and deception to exploit them sexually, force them into employment or remove their bodily organs. Human trafficking also affects Switzerland, which is a target and transit country. In 2014, 46 cases of human trafficking were registered in the official criminal statistics, and 15 convictions were made.
At the opening of the 15th ASEM Seminar on Human Rights, Mr Burkhalter stated that human trafficking constitutes a serious violation of human rights. "The victims of human trafficking are robbed of their right to self-determination, and are trafficked and utilised as goods." This deprives them of their human dignity. In order to stem the tide of human trafficking, the perpetrators must be prosecuted and the victims helped, added Mr Burkhalter. "We can do more to fight the causes of human trafficking and so act to prevent this despicable crime ," he said, and called on the members of ASEM to work together more closely, exchange experiences and apply international standards. "Together we can make real progress in improving the situation and in bringing about the necessary changes." Switzerland is already in contact with the countries of origin of potential victims and transit countries, and supports projects, for example in the Western Balkans, in order to improve the situation of particularly vulnerable groups.
Switzerland's national and international commitment to the fight against human trafficking
In addition to its national human trafficking action plan, a programme set up in 2012 that focuses on prevention, prosecution, victim protection and strengthening international partnerships, at multilateral level Switzerland supports the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)'s initiative to prevent human trafficking for the purpose of domestic servitude in diplomatic households. A handbook on this topic was launched under Switzerland's OSCE Chairmanship last year. At the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC), Switzerland launched a diplomatic initiative whose aim is to produce a clear international definition of human trafficking and draw up performance standards.
Switzerland is also actively preventing human trafficking and protecting victims in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Asia, West Africa, North Africa, the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. It is involved in specific anti-human trafficking programmes and work migration programmes to help prevent human trafficking – in particular forced labour – and protect victims. For example, Switzerland is helping Serbia to build up its capacities to prevent and combat human trafficking locally, and to provide better protection for victims. In Thailand, Switzerland is working with local school authorities to develop educational and awareness-raising programmes.
Switzerland to become partner of ASEM Human Rights Seminar
From 24 to 26 November 2015 in Montreux, about 130 representatives of the governments, authorities and civil society of the 53 ASEM partners will attend the organisation's 15th Seminar on Human Rights, its (informal) platform for the promotion of human rights. Mr Burkhalter announced that Switzerland, which is hosting this year’s seminar, will soon become an ASEM Seminar partner. This will allow it to help stage and prepare the content of future seminars. "This partnership underlines Switzerland’s political commitment as an ASEM member state as well as its commitment in the field of human rights," Mr Burkhalter said.
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