Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings visited Belarus’ Interior Ministry
A monitoring visit of GRETA (Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings) experts to Belarus was organised as part of the second round of studying the fulfilment of the obligations assumed by Belarus in accordance with the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings – as informed by the Interior Ministry
The first round was conducted by the Council of Europe in 2016-2017. In line with the procedure, such an assessment is based on written responses to the questionnaire, as well as information that experts receive directly from representatives of state authorities and civil society institutions while visiting the country.
The Interior Ministry is responsible for co-ordinating activities of state bodies and other organisations aimed at fulfilment of the obligations assumed by Belarus under the Convention.
In his address to the meeting participants, the Deputy Interior Minister – Chief of the Criminal Police, Gennady Kazakevich, noted that human trafficking still remains a well-established transnational criminal activity. “Belarus was among the first states in the post-Soviet space to recognise the importance of this problem and start conducting an active full-scale fight against it. Countering human trafficking in our country is under the Head of State’s special control,” he stressed.
Mr. Kazakevich also noted that, since 2002, the fifth National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking (within the framework of the Programme to Combat Crime and Corruption) is being implemented – involving different ministries and departments, international and public organisations. Conferences, seminars and trainings are organised regularly, in addition to diverse information campaigns. Interdisciplinary working groups have been created. These unite representatives of the police and border service, the spheres of healthcare, education, labour and social protection, advocacy, IOM and branches of the Red Cross Society.
“The work conducted by the Interior Ministry jointly with interested state agencies and non–governmental organisations has significantly minimised the scale of human trafficking in our country, while contributing to ensuring effective counteraction,” the Deputy Minister stated. “Previously, the fight against human trafficking was in focus. However, taking into account the achieved results, considerable attention is now paid to crime prevention, as well as protection and rehabilitation of victims, and countering new urgent challenges and threats – such as child pornography and paedophilia.”
Mr. Kazakevich assured GRETA experts that the Interior Ministry is open to constructive dialogue on all aspects of interaction – as part of bilateral co-operation and within the framework of international organisations.
In turn, foreign experts thanked Belarusians for the opportunity to get acquainted with the measures taken by the Ministry in the field of combating human trafficking, protection and rehabilitation of victims, as well as a competent review of the situation and constructive dialogue.
Earlier, GRETA experts held a number of working meetings with representatives of interested government agencies and departments that are involved in solving the problem.
