European anti-trafficking groups start a coordinated response to the evacuation of Ukraine
Anti-trafficking organizations come together to assess needs and risks at Ukraine’s borders, a study by the USAID CTIP program looks at the increasing vulnerability of Filipino migrant workers, and Uzbekistan has eradicated forced labour in its cotton production cycle, says an ILO report.
Last week, the European Freedom Network (EFN) hosted a Ukraine Emergency Response meeting, to gather information and assess needs at Ukraine’s borders as refugees flee Putin’s invasion. Representatives from the network’s partner organizations, which include church and other anti-trafficking groups from more than 40 countries, came together to share information and advice, connect with each other, and coordinate their work on the ground.
Despite the best efforts of aid groups, which are distributing supplies and assisting refugees as they enter receiving countries, witness accounts from Ukraine’s borders with nations including Poland, Romania and Hungary painted a picture of chaos and disarray, with many opportunities for traffickers to take advantage of the situation. Speakers, who included representatives from Romania’s eLiberare, Germany’s Kainos, and Hungary’s Bread of Life Foundation, noted that the need to provide urgent relief, such as food and accommodation, must be coupled with the need to keep people safe from exploitation.
While most people offering help have good intentions, it’s impossible for refugees to know who to trust. Local people are driving to borders and offering shelter in their homes and, while most are likely to be genuine, the opportunities for traffickers are clear. At some borders, officials insist that people must arrive by car and not on foot, forcing those with no transportation to get into vehicles with strangers. One speaker reported instances of refugees being asked to relinquish their passports, or being asked for cash bribes.
Meanwhile, not all aid workers currently on the ground have trafficking prevention knowledge, or understand the risks or how to mitigate them. And while emergency supplies are available, there is also a need to provide specialist services such as trauma-informed care. However, one speaker pointed out that, as Ukrainian visa applications are rightly being prioritized, it’s possible that experts and other aid workers may not be able to get through for some time.
Another major issue is the treatment of people of colour who are either being turned away by border guards or harassed and abused when they do manage to cross. One speaker described being questioned by a local woman who asked why he was helping black refugees, and highlighted a lack of engagement with people of colour from some local helpers.
It was agreed that better coordination amongst groups was required, in order to help as many people and meet as many needs as possible. Speakers highlighted an urgent need to put procedures in place to ensure that housing and shelters are safe. Information and resources should be shared between organizations, and those working at borders need trafficking awareness training. It is also crucial to inform refugees about potential trafficking dangers, to offer them advice on staying safe, and help them identify trustworthy organizations. EFN has put up a page of resources on its website for both refugees and churches and will continue to add to this. It was also suggested that information cards with QR codes could be created, from which information could be quickly downloaded to peoples’ phones. Flyers could also be given to border police to hand to people as they cross.
As well as coordinating these efforts, speakers noted the importance of planning ahead. For instance, what will happen if the initial wave of sympathy and support, from both governments and the public, doesn’t last beyond the first weeks or months? EFN now hopes to hold weekly Emergency Response meetings in order to keep track of the ongoing situation, ensure the right resources are getting through, implement a coordinated response, and spread trafficking awareness to as many people as possible.
Here’s a round-up of other noteworthy news and initiatives:
La Strada International has established an emergency fund to support its colleagues at La Strada Ukraine. Donations will be used to help them remain safe, flee the country when possible, and access shelter and other support.
A new study by the USAID Asia Counter Trafficking in Persons program, in partnership with Migrasia and the Global Migration Legal Clinic of Hong Kong University, shows how Filipino migrant workers are increasingly vulnerable to exploitation due to a lack of access to accurate information, and provides recommendations for reducing instances of human trafficking and forced labour. For a presentation from the authors and discussions of good practices and recommendations, USAID Asia CTIP invites you to join its online webinar on 9 March, 3pm-4pm Philippines time.
Uzbekistan has succeeded in eradicating systemic forced labour and systemic child labour during the 2021 cotton production cycle, according to the forthcoming 2021 ILO Third-Party Monitoring Report of the Cotton Harvest in Uzbekistan, based on 11,000 interviews with cotton pickers. Almost two million people are recruited every year for the annual cotton harvest in the country.
China’s premier has pledged to target the trafficking of women and children, becoming the first national leader to address the problem since the plight of a woman chained up in a shed came to light more than a month ago. Addressing legislators in Beijing on Saturday, Li Keqiang said a crackdown was on the way, along with greater support for community groups and public welfare.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Justiça nos Trilhos have released a report on the human rights and environmental abuses associated with the iron and steel value chain originating in mines of Brazil’s Carajás corridor. It sheds light on how industry giants such as Arcelor Mittal and TataSteel source their iron from abuse-ridden mines in Brazil, and how the steel they produce ends up in consumer goods around the world.
This article examines what human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago looks like, and reveals recruitment strategies used by traffickers who target minors and young females from Venezuela, the way they use social media, their use of couples (instead of men only) to receive and transfer victims so as not to arouse early suspicion, and the role that COVID-19 vaccination status plays in the trafficking process.
A recent episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) focuses on sex work, why criminalizing the trade hasn’t helped the most vulnerable people involved, and why we should start listening to those at the center of the conversation: sex workers.
The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime is currently recruiting for a Project Assistant to work with the Resilience Fund team supporting local initiatives, and an Administration Officer to support Vienna-based projects.
Share your news
Post your experiences from the field and initiatives to feature