Regional Frameworks and Initiatives
in the Americas
Regional Consultation on the Right to Effective
Remedies for Trafficked Persons
Bangkok, Thailand, September 27, 2013
Organization of American States (OAS)
• 1889-90 International Union of
American Republics
• 1948 OAS Charter
• Brings together 35 member
states. It’s a political, judicial and
socio gov. forum. 67 Prmnt.
Observers
& EU
• 4 Pillars:
democracy,
development,
human rights,
& security
Organized Crime in the Americas and Trafficking in Persons
• Sexual violence 2004-2009. 13 countries in
sub-regions 111,408
• Sexual offences against children. 14 countries
in sub-regions 15,559 (2009). Caribbean 872
and CA 362 ?
• Intentional homicide by firearms. 26
countries 105,742 (organized crime 2010)
• International homicide victims aged 15-24. 21
countries in sub-regions 37,231 (2010)
• Sexual assault: gap between police reported
cases and victimization surveys. Jamaica 48 /
900. Canada 74 / 2400. Brazil 16 / 4000
(2002-2009)
War &
Natural Disasters
Traditions &
Values
Gender
Discrimination
Domestic Violence
Lack of Education
Poverty
Unemployment
Migration Patters to and from the Americas
Europe
Middle East
Africa
Asia
Patterns used by Organized Crime
• Sexual, labor exploitation, domestic servitude, sex tourism, trafficking of
organs, forced marriages, beggin, : oil and gas enterprises, mining.
• Strong connections to trafficking of drugs, arms, gangs.
• Coercion and extortion from mafias in-outside detention centers
• Recruitment in small villages with vulnerable groups (social and
economic)
• Use of social networks: twitter , facebook
• Recruiting companies
• Private companies recruiting Asian, African and nationals from the
Middle East
• Participation of corrupt government officials
• Use of porous borders: Caribbean and Central American countries
• Advertisements placed through the local media, radio.
Commitment of the OAS Member States
• Dedicated State action to combat
trafficking in persons
• Anti TIP law enforcement
• Identification of victims.
• Data collection
• Prevention-Protection
Work Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the
Western Hemisphere 2010-2014 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,
Capacity-Building / Training
Multi-Sector Coordination Strategies
• Civil society and governments for a comprehensive
protection of victims
• Multilateral and bilateral agreements for victim assistance
• Awareness-raising / information campaigns for the
protection of victims
• Community involvement
Good Practices
• Central America and Mexico institutionalized coalitions, multisector groups for the protection of victims
• Protection of victims, a topic of national security on the
political agenda of CARICOM
• Institutionalization of anti-trafficking curricula in training
centers, i.e. police academies
• Education campaigns for victim compensation
• Creation of protection specialized units
• Multi-training efforts through out the countries
• Participation of civil society in the drafting of public policies
for the protection of victims
• Collaboration with INTERPOL
Challenges for Protection
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Governments turn a blind eye
Political will
Misconception of trafficking / sex workers
Trafficking is culturally inserted in societies
More understanding among law enforcement of
trafficking and smuggling
• High cost of victim care
Recommendations
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Attention to internal trafficking
Strong witness protection systems
Strengthened and more effective judicial systems
Banning of entertainment visas
Unification of terminology
Identification of missing persons
Strengthening of the principle of shared-responsibility
Budget allocation for effective remedies
Strengthening of standard operating procedures
View victim protection as a State Policy
Ratification of international instruments
Address gender issues and women empowerment
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. 20006
Email: mgarcia@oas.org
Tel: 202.370.5445
Fax: 202.458.3882