International Conference on Countering Trafficking in Human Beings in Ukraine and the World Was Held in Lviv
On the basis of Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, an international scientific-practical conference “State policy on combating trafficking in human beings: Ukraine and the world” was held. Co-organizers of the event are the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the Consultative Mission of the European Union and LvDUBS.
International experts, scientists and practitioners joined the discussion on this extremely important topic. Among the participants of the event are experts of the ECSC, the OSCE, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Social Policy, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Bureau of Investigation, the migration police, the cyber police, the prosecutor's office, the border and migration services, as well as public organizations.
In total, representatives of about forty different organizations participated in the event. Due to quarantine restrictions, most of them joined the discussion online.
The event began with a welcoming speech by Taras Sozansky, the first Vice-Rector of Lviv State University of Internal Affairs. First of all, he thanked all those who joined the conference and noted the importance of cooperation in combating trafficking in human beings with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and international partners - the Consultative Mission of the European Union and the OSCE Project Coordinator.
“Experts estimate that about 30 million people face the problem of modern slavery. This issue is extremely large-scale, because we are talking about different forms of exploitation, as a result of which both adults and children suffer. Our conference today is designed to draw attention to this problem, discuss and jointly find ways to solve it,” he stressed.
Iryna Zelena, Director of the Human Rights Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, noted: “The problem of combating human trafficking requires the consolidation of efforts of all representatives of state authorities, the public, scientists, national and international expert environment. This conference will be a kind of platform for exchange of views and will help develop recommendations for improving activities in this area.”
Irina Zelena stressed that the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are constantly adapting to new trends and challenges that exist in today's conditions, update algorithms for detecting, detecting and investigating crimes related to human trafficking, bring to justice the persons involved and provide assistance to the victims.
“All of this is done in close cooperation with our partners. In recent years, a number of important steps have been taken towards improving anti-trafficking activities, including a number of legislative initiatives, recent transformations of police units, the formation of migration police, as well as large-scale information campaigns aimed at raising citizens' awareness of trafficking issues people,” said Irina Zelena, Director of the Human Rights Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
Yulia Yakubovska, State Expert on Combating Trafficking in Persons, Domestic Violence and Gender Equality of the Directorate of Social Services Development and Protection of Children's Rights of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine addressed the participants of the conference. “Modern challenges and threats require the mobilization of the wide influence of the resources of each state, the establishment of cooperation and the development of civil society. Unfortunately, the armed conflict caused by Russian aggression has become one of the first serious challenges to countering human trafficking. The mass displacement of the population from the occupied territories, the search for a place of residence and work - all this increased the risk of getting into situations related to human trafficking. Another challenge was the pandemic — the loss of work, the closure of borders, fear for their health and the health of loved ones — all this also increased the vulnerability of the population to such situations,” the representative of the Ministry of Social Policy stressed.
She noted that people affected by human trafficking and domestic violence can contact the hotline number 1547 for psychological support, or call the police and ambulance.
“I am convinced that according to the results of this conference, constructive recommendations will be developed, which the Ministry of Social Policy will be able to use in its work,” Yulia Yakubovska summed up.
In his welcoming speech, Acting Head of the Lviv Regional Representation of the Consultative Mission of the European Union Markus Roloffs noted: “Trafficking in human beings is widespread in many countries. One of the priorities of our organization is to counteract this phenomenon. I hope that the initiatives that will be heard at today's conference will help in our work.”
Commandant-Rector of the Higher School of Police in Szczytno in the Republic of Poland, Iwona Klonowska also addressed the participants of the conference. “The topic of combating trafficking in human beings is extremely relevant. And it is very important for us to hear the opinions of colleagues on this issue. We are also presenting a speech today on the most important aspects of the survey of minors affected by trafficking,” she stressed.
Lilia Hrudko, Head of the Human Security Programme, OSCE Projects Coordinator in Ukraine, shared her successful experience in the field of combating trafficking in human beings. “This is the implementation of the National Mechanism of Interaction of Entities in Ukraine, creation of units of migration police, cooperation with non-governmental organizations,” she noted.
“At the same time, there are many challenges that have led to the creation of new forms of crime related to human trafficking. One of the provoking factors is the coronavirus pandemic, - Lilia Hrudko stressed. - There is still a lot of work, but I am glad that we have the opportunity to cooperate with our permanent partners — the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police, Lviv DuvS, NGOs, and also to continue to respond to the challenges that arise in our country every day.”
In general, the work of the scientific and practical event was divided into four discussion panels. Speakers of the first one — “International Experience in Combating Trafficking in Human Beings” — were Larkio Yukka, Counsellor-Trainer on Criminal Investigations of the Regional Representation of the EMCDDA in Lviv; Head of the Human Security Programme, OSCE Projects Coordinator in Ukraine Liliia Hrudko; Head of the Board of the NGO “A21 Ukraine” Julia Sachenko; teacher of the Institute of Legal Sciences of the Faculty of Security and Legal Sciences of the Higher School of Police in the city of Schytno Dorota Neviarovska.
This discussion panel was moderated by the first Vice-Rector of Lviv DuvS Taras Sozansky, and the next three were moderated by the Vice-Rector of the University Olga Balynska.
The second discussion panel was devoted to the discussion of socio-legal aspects of combating trafficking in human beings. Speakers were: Chairman of the Center of the NGO “Women's Perspectives” Liubov Maksimovych; representatives of the Institute of Management, Psychology and Security of Lviv DuvS - Professor of the Department of Practical Psychology Galina Katolyk, Associate Professor of the Department of Theoretical Psychology Galina Lyaliuk, Professor of the Department of Practical Psychology Oleksandr Kutsyi, as well as Professor of the Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy of Khmelnytsky National University Larisa Danilchuk.
The speakers of the third discussion panel — “Criminal and Legal Aspects of Combating Trafficking in Human Beings” — were Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology of Lviv State University of Internal Affairs Daria Balobanova; Associate Professor of the Department of Criminal Law and Procedure of Uzhhorod National University Andriy Andrushko; Head of the Research Laboratory of Lviv State University of Internal Affairs Larysa Brych; Professor of the Department of Criminal and Legal Disciplines of Lviv Institute of Law Iryna Hlovyuk.
The speakers of the last discussion panel — “Information and analytical support and the problems of law enforcement cooperation in combating human trafficking” — were the Director of the Department of Work Organization, Planning and Control of the Administration of the State Border Service of Ukraine Andriy Vihtyuk; Professor of the Department of Criminal Law and Criminology Maxim Paliy of the Educational and Scientific Humanitarian Institute of the National Academy of the Security Service of Ukraine; Professor of the Department of Operational and Investigative Activities of the Faculty № 2 of Lviv State University of Internal Affairs Anatoly Movchan.
The main ideas and proposals expressed in the reports and general discussion during the conference became the basis for the relevant resolution. In its text, in particular, it is emphasized that in order to overcome or at least minimize the problem of combating trafficking in human beings, general social preventive measures are necessary: scientific, practical and educational; thematic lectures for high school students and higher education applicants. In addition, it is advisable to take into account previously unforeseen factors (such as the COVID-19 pandemic) to correct public policy in the field of combating trafficking in human beings. The impact of this pandemic on the rise in crime needs careful monitoring by criminologists.
The participants of the discussion also concluded that terrorist regimes are powerful generators of trafficking in human beings. Their impact on the development of this type of crime also requires increased attention from law enforcement and scientists. Unexpected natural cataclysms — such as global warming and geological and tectonic changes on the planet — practically put people in a vulnerable state, which is one of the victimizing factors of trafficking in human beings of a socio-economic and socio-psychological nature. This should be taken into account in the development of the State Targeted Social Program for Combating Trafficking in Persons, the formation of which should involve specialists from different fields of knowledge.
Scholars and practitioners stressed that a working group is currently working on the preparation of a draft of the new Criminal Code of Ukraine. Therefore, scientific studies are particularly relevant, as a result of which an optimal model of criminal-legal regulation of liability for trafficking in human beings and related crimes consisting in the use of the inferior human condition will be proposed.
Finally, during the conference it was determined that the fight against trafficking in human beings as one of the spheres of transnational organized crime requires coordinated, comprehensive, permanent and systematic measures on the part of the law enforcement agencies of our country, as well as jointly with foreign partners.
VZG LVDUVS
