10/17/2008

Croatian diplomats become more engaged in combating trafficking

ZAGREB,Croatia - Seventeen students of the Diplomatic Academy received diplomats on Friday at the end of an 18-month course in the prevention of trafficking in humans, whereby Croatia has become more active in fighting one of the most profitable criminal activities.

At an international conference on diplomacy's role in the prevention of trafficking, diplomas were awarded to the educators who completed the course and will work with Croatian embassies.

Organisers said it was important to recognise victims of trafficking on time, already in consular offices.

Justice Minister Ivan Simonovic said the Croatian government firmly advocated preventing trafficking through practice.

This evil should be attacked on three fronts - offer, transit and demand, he said, stressing that the consular service was the keeper of the gate to Croatia and had all the information about those coming in or passing through it.

Norwegian Ambassador Terje Hauge said that trafficking in humans was the most profitable crime after trafficking in arms. It is a big challenge to social development and security as well as a serious crime which abolishes an individual's fundamental rights and freedoms, he said.

According to the Croatian government's Human Rights Office, 74 victims of trafficking have been identified in Croatia since 2000.

Due to the alignment of legislation and government measures to the highest international standards in this field, the State Department has ranked Croatia among the 15 leading countries in the fight against international trafficking, the conference heard.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, the International Organisation for Migration, and the Norwegian government, which supported the course with EUR 370,000.

(Source: HINA - 17/10/08)