Meeting of the Liaison Officer Network for Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking San José, Costa Rica June 25, 2013 REGIONAL NETWORK FOR CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS ON MIGRATION

ADVANCES IN COMBATING THE CRIME OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS RNCOM has noticed advances in the promulgation of legislation against the crime of trafficking in persons that includes significant improvements in the following aspects: Prosecution of cases of trafficking Protection for victims of trafficking Prevention In addition, we have noticed the efforts implemented by governments to share best practices relating to training of officers from public security forces, the Attorney General’s Office and judicial investigation units.

An increase has been observed in the number of investigations, prosecutions and sentences of traffickers in some Member States of RCM. RNCOM is pleased about the work of the Regional Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons; for example, launching an information and awareness-raising campaign named “Los caminos de la vida” (Paths of Life). RNCOM recognizes the efforts by the Nicaraguan Government to establish a shelter for victims of trafficking and urge the other Member States of RCM to establish specialized centres to provide comprehensive assistance to victims of the crime of trafficking in persons. In addition, we recognize the establishment of the Victim Assistance Unit of the National Immigration Service of Panama and efforts to facilitate – jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – the repatriation of Panamanian nationals objects of migrant smuggling abroad.

We are pleased about the approval of the National Policy Against Trafficking in Persons in El Salvador, as well as the establishment of the National Council Against Trafficking in Persons. We recognize the efforts of the Dominican authorities and civil society to document cases of boys, girls and adolescents that are forced to perform household work, beggary, agricultural work, and construction work. Civil society in the Dominican Republic is implementing efforts to benefit undocumented and stateless descendants of Haitian nationals. These populations groups are considered to be in particularly vulnerable situations.

Through RNCOM, the number of social organizations providing refuge and shelter to victims of trafficking has increased – especially for boys, girls and adolescents – as well as legal aid, counselling, health care, rights promotion, reintegration and referral. RNCOM joins the Latin American Observatory Against Trafficking in Persons.

RNCOM congratulates the Government of Costa Rica for promulgating the Law Against Trafficking in Persons and for its efforts to prevent the crimes of migrant smuggling and trafficking and provide assistance to victims, and for implementing joint efforts with civil society. RNCOM recognizes the leadership of the Judiciary of Costa Rica in coordinating the Sub-Committee for Access to Justice for Migrants and Refugees.

CHALLENGES To follow up on the agreements reached at the meeting of the Ad Hoc Group in February 2013 relating to the crime of trafficking in persons. RNCOM insists that it is urgent that States recognize forced displacement as a result of organized crime and the need for protection of victims at a national and international level. A need exists for mechanisms to protect the work carried out by human rights ombudsmen to benefit migrant and refugee populations, which are becoming increasingly vulnerable to human rights violations.

States should develop a statistical information system and homogenized data bases at a national and regional level to generate information on behaviours related to the crime of trafficking in persons. States should strengthen actions to prevent the crime, especially for unaccompanied boys, girls and adolescents victims of trafficking. We urge the Member States of RCM to establish district attorney’s offices against trafficking in persons to ensure access to justice, as promoted by Guatemala and Mexico.

RNCOM requests that governments increase inspection efforts by Ministries of Labour, with the aim of avoiding trafficking of migrants for the purpose of labour exploitation. National legislation against trafficking in persons should consider the specific needs of foreign victims, especially in terms of respect for the principle of non-refoulement. In addition, an assessment should be carried out of the modes of internal trafficking, at a national level and in all its dimensions. Member States of RCM should take on the shared responsibility of searching for missing migrants in countries of origin, transit and destination.

Civil society, represented through RNCOM, requests that States establish joint actions for the protection of migrants along the migration routes, due to the increase in the rates of increasingly violent homicide, abduction and theft. To develop mechanisms enabling the institutionalization of prevention, assistance and protection actions in Member States of RCM, which should be reflected in national budgets. The Regional Comprehensive Migration Policy proposed by SICA should incorporate the principles of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Persons.