Trafficking in Persons and Exploitation of Migrants: Ensuring Protection of Human Rights (2009)
International Conference Center Geneva (CICG)
17 rue de Varembé, Geneva, Switzerland
Background
The workshop on "Trafficking in Persons and Exploitation of Migrants: Ensuring Protection of Human Rights" was held in the framework of IOM’s International Dialogue on Migration (IDM) which in 2009 has an overall theme of “Human Rights and Migration: Working Together for Safe, Dignified and Secure Migration”.
Consistent with IOM’s mandate and Strategy Document (activity 7), the IDM provides a forum for IOM Member and Observer States, as well as international and non-governmental organizations and other partners, to share experiences and perspectives on migration matters with a view to identifying practical solutions and fostering greater cooperation.
Overview
The importance of the “human dimension” of migration and the need to ensure the effective protection of the human rights of migrants have attracted the attention of policy-makers and other stakeholders involved in migration issues. Increasingly, governments and civil society organizations are considering how best to incorporate human rights, welfare, safety, dignity and security of individuals and communities into migration policies, legislation and programming.
The focus of this workshop was the issue of abuse and exploitation of migrants which in some cases may have come about through trafficking in persons. This workshop examined policy and programmatic approaches to help governments meet the challenges posed by human trafficking and migrant exploitation, while assisting and protecting migrants who, through trafficking or otherwise, have become subject to exploitation and abuse.
Specifically, it aimed to:
- Bring together governments and other relevant partners to evaluate the effectiveness of current approaches to combating human trafficking and migrant exploitation.
- Provide the IOM membership with the opportunity to discuss how measures to protect the human rights of migrants can strengthen protection and assistance for victims of trafficking.
- Exchange innovative ideas for multi-stakeholder partnerships at all stages of the migration process to meet the needs of vulnerable migrants and achieve the policy objectives of governments on the issue of human trafficking and migrant exploitation.
Agenda
09 July 2009 - Day I | |
09:00 - 10:00 | Registration |
10:00 - 10:15 |
Welcome Remarks
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10:15 - 10:40 |
Keynote Address
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10:40 - 11:00 |
Setting the Scene
|
11:00 - 13:00 |
Session I: The Central Role of Human Rights in Addressing Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Exploitation Moderator: Azzouz Samri, Minister plenipotentiary, Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland Speakers:
General Discussion |
13:00 - 14:00 | Afternoon Break |
14:00 - 15:00 |
Side Event: A Whole-of-Organization Approach to Fighting Migrant Exploitation and Human Trafficking Moderator: Vijaya Souri, Programme Specialist, Migration Management Services, IOM (Presentation) Speakers:
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15:00 - 18:00 |
Session II: Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Exploitation: Towards a Needs-Based Approach to Assistance and Protection Moderator: Mazal Renford, Director, The Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Centre, Israel (Bio) Speakers:
General Discussion |
10 July 2009 – Day II | |
10:00 - 10:30 |
Migrant's Voice
Moderators: Qimmah Najeeullah, Director, Break the Chain Campaign (Brochure) and Mariela Guajardo, Project Assistant, Migration Management Services, IOM General Discussion |
10:30 - 13:00 |
Session III: Contextualizing Human Trafficking and Migrant Exploitation: Case Studies Moderator: Beate Andrees, Senior Policy Officer, Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour, International Labour Organization Speakers:
General Discussion |
13:00 - 15:00 | Afternoon Break |
15:00 - 17:50 |
Session IV: Fighting Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Exploitation along the Migration Cycle: The Role of Partnerships Moderator: Michele Klein Solomon, Director, Migration Policy and Research, IOM (Bio) Speakers:
General Discussion |
17:50 - 18:00 |
Wrap-up and Closing Remarks End of the Workshop |