Trafficking in Persons in the Americas: Member States and OAS Efforts to Prevent it and Combat it OAS Headquarters, March 6, 2014

Organization of American States (OAS) International Union of American Republics 1948 OAS Charter Political platform bringing together all independent states in the Western Hemisphere Active participation of 67 Permanent Observers and the European Union OAS actions are based on four pillars: Democracy, Development, Human Rights, Security

Trafficking in Persons, a global crime requiring global solutions Europe Africa Middle East Asia

Actions, Means and Purpose of TIP DEFINITION: ACTIONS: recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring/receipt, exploitation MEANS: threat/use of force, forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power, situation of vulnerability, receiving payment. PURPOSE: sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, practices similar to slavery, servitude, begging, organ/tissue removal, armed conflicts, combined forms of exploitation.

Trafficking Violation of an individual’s human rights Victims: men, women, boys, minorities Financial Gain Often organized by criminal networks but a trafficker can also be a friend, a relative, employee, family member Can happen anywhere, does not have to be international TRAFFICKING Legal, illegal or no border crossing Legal, illegal documents Coercion, deception Control, restricted movement Repeated exploitation Commodity: Individuals Crime against individuals

Differences and Similarities TRAFFICKED PERSON Often physical and psychological abuse Often denied freedom of movement and other basic rights Often illegal / irregular migrants Always coerced / subservient / dependent May have consented to the job / journey but not to the exploitation SMUGGLED MIGRANTS Want to cross a border into another State without often a visa / resident permit Active participant in the process Dependent on the smuggler for the journey, otherwise independent Usually know about the conditions of travel Take part voluntarily Can become victims of exploitation if can not pay for journey

Consent of the Victims The victim’s consent is irrelevant when is evidenced that the trafficker has obtained that consent through illicit means. The victim’s consent in one stage of the process cannot be considered consent in all stages of the process Minors under 18 years of age are excluded from any possibility of consent

Establishment of Partnerships to Combat Vulnerabilities. Domestic Violence Unemployment Gender Issues Impact of Conflict, Natural Disasters Lack of Education Economic and Social Issues Cultural Traditions and Values Economic / Political Security Sexual Demand Cheap Labor Demand

Base Documents for OAS Member States Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, espcially Women and Children Conclusions and Recommendations of the First and Second Meetings of National Authorities on Trafficking in Persons (Venezuela 2006, Argentina 2009) II/doc&classNum=5&lang=e II/doc&classNum=5&lang=e Work Plan against Trafficking in Persons in the Western Hemisphere AG/RES.2551 (XL-O/10) Conclusions of the Third Meeting of National Authorities on Trafficking in Persons(Guatemala 2012) III/Doc&classNum=7&lang=e III/Doc&classNum=7&lang=e

OAS – Coordination Efforts with Member States Public policies and strategies to combat TIP Anti TIP comprehesive law strengthening Identification of victims Identification of victims Data collection Data collection Prevention- Protection Prevention- Protection

Strengthening Colaboration and Coordination Efforts with International Organizations

Work Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the Western Hemisphere AG/RES.2551(XL-O/10) Prevention: promote legislation, policies, actions plans, campaigns, coop.-sectors. Identify vulnerable groups, supervision of travel agents-job recruiters, combat demand. Prosecution: judicial cooperation, extradition, confiscation of proceeds, data, create police units, training, agreements, invest. Techniques. Protection: shelters, State cooperation, protection of victims/witness/children, consular services, legal advise, funding, promote UN instruments,

Contact Information Fernando Garcia-Robles Coordinator, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Department of Public Security Organization of American States 1889 F. St. N.W. 870C Washington, D.C Tel: Fax: