Nordic Baltic Network

External evaluation of the Nordic Baltic pilot project

Malin Björk — 2009-06-04T19:02:41Z

The Children and Woman's Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU) at the London Metropolitan University has made an external evaluation of the achievements and challenges in the implementation of the Nordic Baltic Pilot project. Several important strengths are identified as well as areas were work needs to be intensified in the future. - 1. About the Nordic Baltic Network

New publication: Working together- Prevention and Assistance to Women Victims of Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation

Malin Björk — 2008-11-13T10:09:39Z

The new publication outlines the context for working against trafficking in women for sexual exploitation in Europe, and highlights the achievements of the Nordic Baltic Network in strengthening support and assistance to women victims of trafficking.

Click here to download the publication in PDF format.

If you would like to request printed copies of the publication, please email Malin Björk

Working together- Prevention and Assistance to Women Victims of Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation

Malin Björk — 2008-11-13T09:58:45Z

The publication outlines the context for working against trafficking in women for sexual exploitation in Europe, and highlights the achievements of the Nordic Baltic Network in strengthening support and assistance to women victims of trafficking.

If you would like to request printed copies of the publication, please email Malin Björk

EWL seminar 16 October 2008: What is being done to prevent trafficking in women and to assist victims

Lisa Kerker — 2008-10-21T14:05:07Z

The European Women's Lobby (EWL) held a seminar in the European Parliament 16 October on the theme “What is being done to prevent trafficking in women and to assist victims?". Myria Vassiliadou, EWL Secretary-General, gave a general overview of EWL actions and policy work on violence against women, and in particular on trafficking and prostitution.

The results of the Nordic Baltic pilot project, of which the EWL is the regional coordinator, were shared with over 80 seminar participants. National and regional inter-agency cooperation and the development of assistance programmes in the Nordic-Baltic region were highlighted by Malin Björk, EWL Project Director; Jenni Tuominen, MONIKA Multicultural Women's Association, Finland; and Dovile Rukaite, Women's Issues Information Centre, Lithuania.

Anna Ekstedt from the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) presented the regional cooperation undertaken through the CBSS to combat trafficking in human beings. The issue of demand for commercial sexual services as a measure to prevent trafficking in women was addressed by Grainne Healy, Chair of the EWL observatory on violence against women and by Dorit Otzen, Director of Reden International.

The seminar was concluded by a questions' session with EU policy makers: Members of the European Parliament Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne (ALDE), Mrs Svensson (GUE/NGL) and Mrs Lyubcheva (PSE), and from the European Commission: Maria-Grazia Giammarinaro, DG Justice, Freedom and Security. Efforts to step up EU actions and increase the focus on reducing demand were highlighted during this session.

For the programme, press release, and seminar power-points, please see below.

The new EWL/Nordic Baltic Network publication:

Working together - Prevention and assistance to women victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The European Women's Lobby (EWL) has just released a new publication, which outlines the framework for work against trafficking in women for sexual exploitation in Europe, and highlights the achievements of the Nordic Baltic Network in strengthening support and assistance to women victims of trafficking. The Nordic Baltic Network, comprising of NGOs and government agencies was set up in 2006, to work together to develop the best possible models to support and assist women who are trafficked in all eight participating countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.

European Women's Lobby and the Nordic Baltic Network welcome the nominations of members to GRETA

Lisa Kerker — 2008-10-20T10:02:00Z

The monitoring of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings will take place through two mechanisms: the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), a technical body, and the Committee of the Parties, a political body composed by representatives in the Committee of Ministers of the Parties to the Convention and of representatives of Parties non-members of the Council of Europe.

The governments of the states parties to the Convention have now nominated candidates to GRETA, amongst whom the Committee of the Parties will elect the members by the end of January 2009 at latest. The nominations were made in accordance with the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe [Resolution (2008)7 on rules on the election procedure of the members of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Now when the candidates have been nominated, the Committee of the Parties will elect 10 to 15 experts. In this election, account should be taken of gender and geographical balance; multidisciplinary expertise; and representation of the main legal systems. It is provided that the members of GRETA shall have recognised competence in the fields of human rights; of assistance and protection of victims; or of action against trafficking in human beings, or professional experience in the areas covered by the Convention. They will serve in their individual capacity in GRETA, monitoring the implementation of the obligations stemming from the Convention.

To read the Convention, please click here, and to see the CVs of the nominated candidates, please click here.

European Union instruments

Lisa Kerker — 2008-10-10T12:24:05Z

Here you find EU legislation, EU soft law and the EU plan on best practices, standards and procedures for combating and preventing trafficking in human beings. - 6. Useful resources

Council of Europe instruments

Lisa Kerker — 2008-10-03T11:56:31Z

- 6. Useful resources

New UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons since August 1

Lisa Kerker — 2008-09-03T12:00:08Z

Ms. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, from Nigeria, has taken up office as United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children. Ms. Ezeilo is a human rights lawyer and professor at the University of Nigeria, and is involved in women's rights organisations. Ms Ezeilo is the second Special Rapporteur on Trafficking, succeeding Sigma Huda from Bangladesh.

Sigma Huda, during her term, carried out much important and appreciated work, working on trafficking for prostitution and highlighting the relationship between trafficking and the demand for commercial sexual exploitation. You find the latest report by Ms. Huda here. Sigma Huda was arrested in Bangladesh in 2007, and has been held in detention despite multiple serious health problems. This was after trials over which the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers has expressed concern regarding alleged irregularities, the right to legal representation and the independence of the court.

The focus of the Special Rapporteur is to focus on the human rights aspects of victims of trafficking. The Special Rapporteur submits annual reports with recommendations on measures to uphold and protect human rights of the victims. Within the mandate lies taking action on violations committed against trafficked persons and on situations in which there has been a failure to protect their human rights, through individual complaints; undertaking country visits to study the situation and formulate recommendations to prevent and or combat trafficking and protect the human rights of its victims in specific countries and/or regions.

For more information about the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children click here.

Comparison of legislation relating to trafficking in the Nordic Baltic region

Lisa Kerker — 2008-06-19T15:59:56Z

Within the Nordic Baltic Network, a comparison of legislation relating to trafficking in human beings have been undertaken. The comparison aims to show the developments, good practises, and challenges as far as legislation goes to combat trafficking in women and guarantee protection for victims of trafficking, by providing a clear picture of the situation in the Nordic Baltic region. The comparison shows ratification status of international legal documents by the Nordic and Baltic countries; national legislation on trafficking in human beings; legislation regarding reflection period, residence permit and compensation; and also legislation on prostitution in the countries in the region. You find the comparison here.

Download Nordic Baltic network documents

Malin Björk — 2008-06-18T11:21:00Z

Download the documents and resources developed by the Nordic Baltic network. - 5. Network documentation