OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB)

My gratitude as well to Jane Lasonder, Alessia Vedano, Liliya Grudko, and Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine for partnering with the OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB) on this important discussion of ways #Ukraine can advance a #survivor-informed approach to combating #HumanTrafficking. This was an inspiring discussion and it's great to see Ukraine's leadership to innovate in its anti-trafficking efforts. Huge thanks and credit to Tetiana Rudenko for her leadership and initiative to facilitate this webinar with Alessia Vedano, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), ISTAC, and our colleagues in Ukraine. I'm excited to see how Ukraine incorporates lived experience expertise to further strengthen its anti-trafficking policy and practices. #EndHumanTrafficking #SurvivorInclusion

Huge thank you to Jane Lasonder, Alessia Vedano, Liliya Grudko and Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine for partnering with OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB) in discussing the ways to advance #survivor-informed approach to combating #HumanTrafficking. Our 10 July webinar, co-organized with OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine brought lived experience to #Ukraine anti-trafficking #policy development. Over 180 participants from governmental agencies, local communities, civil society and international organizations engaged in active exchange to identify practical next steps for ensuring that survivor engagement in Ukraine is both meaningful and transformative. As highlighted by Dr. Kari Johnstone, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings: "We must move from assuming we know what survivors need or symbolic engagement with them to institutional, regularized inclusion of lived experience expertise." The input gathered last week in Kyiv will inform Ukraine's 2026-2030 State Anti-Trafficking Programme, strengthening evidence-based approaches. #EndHumanTrafficking #SurvivorEngagement #NAP

The Special Representative recaps her week in Porto, #Portugal for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Annual Session! 🇵🇹

🌟𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲: 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 🌟Anne-Lise: From Personal Mission to Global Impact   "My mother was a French social worker – an 'assistante sociale' - who started by supporting families in rural areas and later dedicated herself to helping young people as a school social practitioner. Watching her work instilled in me a sense of purpose, the willingness to make a meaningful difference." This profound connection between personal heritage and professional mission has shaped Anne-Lise Robin's approach to combating #HumanTrafficking at the highest international levels.   In her work with the OSCE, Anne-Lise has mastered the art of diplomatic engagement. This skill has enabled her to tackle controversial topics with remarkable success, notably in fostering gender-responsive anti-trafficking policies and shaping protection for minority communities, particularly at risk of trafficking. Her pioneering publications have filled critical gaps in policy research, while her ability to navigate sensitive discussions has become her trademark, "Our approach involves identifying common interests and shared priorities with States to advance mutual goals in combating trafficking," Anne-Lise explains. This collaborative strategy has been key to achieving meaningful change, always maintaining a focus on survivor-centered approaches.   𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀   At the core of Anne-Lise's vision lies an unwavering commitment to survivor leadership, captured in her motto: "Nothing about survivors, without survivors." Her perspective is refreshingly inclusive: "After all, you don't need to be part of the traditional anti-trafficking community. You can make a difference from wherever you are." In her work, Anne-Lise has come to believe that dismantling trafficking networks requires a willingness to engage all parts of the system, including those who have contributed to exploitation. "Understanding how and why perpetrators became involved can offer critical insights into gaps and points of intervention. Inclusion doesn't mean condoning; it means facing uncomfortable truths in order to build lasting solutions."   🎻 Beyond conference rooms, Anne-Lise finds balance through music. "I love playing the violin. Being part of a string quartet has always been my favorite format," she shares. 🥖🍰Baking is another passion of hers, turning stress into something sweet.   Today, as a Senior External Co-operation Officer and still part of the OSCE family, Anne-Lise brings this same spirit of inclusive collaboration to a new arena. "It's fascinating how the skills of bringing different partners together and finding common ground—skills I honed in anti-trafficking work—are exactly what's needed in international co-operation. It's all about building bridges and understanding different perspectives."   #LoveMyJob   Photo by: Marianne Angvik

Addressing Human Trafficking Risks Among Ukrainian Refugees 📍 Porto, Portugal | 🗓️ 1 July 2025 On the margins of the 32nd Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB) was honored to co-host a side event on strengthening legislative responses to #humantrafficking risks faced by Ukrainian refugees, organized in partnership with the #UK Delegation to the OSCE PA, the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery, and The Human Trafficking Foundation. The discussion brought together #parliamentarians and #policy experts who emphasized the vital need for sustained legislative vigilance and cross-border co-ordination to ensure that the prevention and protection measures launched early in the crisis are upheld and adapted to current realities. With nearly 7 million people #displaced from Ukraine, refugees, especially #women and #children, face heightened risks of #trafficking and #exploitation amid reduced support, financial hardship, and continued uncertainty. This timely exchange highlighted the crucial role of parliamentarians in ensuring that #legislation keeps pace with an evolving landscape, and that national efforts are closely monitored—so that a #humanitariancrisis does not turn into a human trafficking one. 🤝 We extend our sincere thanks to our distinguished speakers for their dedication and leadership: The Rt Hon. Baroness Rosie Winterton, Member of the UK Delegation to the OSCE PA; Kari Johnstone, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings; Lord Randall, the Chairman of the Human Trafficking Foundation and Member of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Human Trafficking; Mykyta Poturaiev, the Head of Ukrainian Delegation to the OSCE PA and the Vice-President of the OSCE PA; Robin Wagener, Member of German Delegation to the OSCE PA, as well as Lord Philip Smith CBE, Member of the UK Delegation to the OSCE PA. The side-event was supported by the OSCE’s Extra-Budgetary Project on preventing and responding to trafficking amid the humanitarian crisis caused by the war against Ukraine, funded by #Finland, #France, #Germany, #Hungary, #Japan, #Liechtenstein, #Poland, #Spain, #Switzerland, the #UnitedKingdom, and the #UnitedStates. #OSCEPAPorto25 #OSCE #HumanTrafficking #Ukraine #RefugeeProtection #HumanRights #ModernSlavery #UK #Legislation #CrisisResponse Sharon Hodgson British Embassy Vienna Robyn Phillips Leoni Kurt Liliia Egelriede OSCE

My heartfelt congratulations to CoESPU - Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units and gratitude for the partnership in developing and conducting the OSCE's showcase human trafficking simulation-based training exercises. I was thrilled to join in celebrating CoESPU's 20th anniversary and to thank Commandant Giuseppe De Magistris, Arma dei Carabinieri, and Italy for their support in combating #HumanTrafficking. Andrea Cascone #CTHB

Congratulations to CoESPU – Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units on 20 years of dedicated service and international impact. The work done in Vicenza has become a key reference point in the global response to human trafficking, particularly through innovative, simulation-based training that continues to build trust, coordination and concrete results across borders. As the challenges evolve, so must our responses. Looking ahead to the next steps in strengthening international cooperation, starting with important initiatives already in the works for this autumn!!! #CoESPU #HumanTrafficking #RuleOfLaw #InternationalCooperation #Security #20YearsOfImpact

Last week, I had the pleasure of co-organizing, what I would call a highly successful, conference with the Hellenic Labour Inspectorate on “Sustainable Supply Chains: Promoting Human Rights and Social Responsibility”, in light of the upcoming EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. The event brought together a diverse and engaged audience—from the public sector and civil society to private sector stakeholders—highlighting a shared commitment to advancing human rights in business operations. It was especially encouraging to see strong interest and active participation from the private sector, a key player in making sustainable supply chains a reality. A warm thank you to all our speakers, panelists, and attendees for the insightful discussions and knowledge-sharing! And of course big thanks to George Tzilivakis Jean-Benoit (JB) Manhes Andrew Wallis OBE Beate Ekeløve-Slydal and many more! OSCE Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (CTHB) OSCE #HumanRights #Sustainability #DueDiligence #SupplyChains #BusinessAndHumanRights #Greece #OSCE

My first official event in my new role as Deputy Coordinator OSCE office for combatting Trafficking in Human being. Objective was to mobilize Private sector from Greece on the fight against Labour Trafficking in Supply Chains Impressive energy and commitment from (inter-alia) George Tzilivakis, Andrew Wallis OBE, Beate Ekeløve-Slydal, Marina Ntonopoulou and of course my great team Fabian B. and Asel Duishekeeva We shall use these energies to replicate the approach to all OSCE participating states! Labour trafficking is not only a human right issue, it has serious impact on social sector, workers conditions, state income and private sector legal and reputational aspects.

🎉 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗖𝗼𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗨'𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 We extend our warmest congratulations to CoESPU - Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units on their 20th anniversary! Since 2016, their partnership has been instrumental in concretizing our innovative simulation-based training exercises, which have equipped over 800 practitioners from 69 countries with vital skills to combat #HumanTrafficking. What began as a response to the 2015 #migration crisis has evolved into a comprehensive program that addresses emerging challenges in human trafficking. With Vicenza's Center of Excellence, we've created a powerful platform for building trust and strengthening international cooperation on such a critical topic. 💪 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲: Our simulation exercises organized in the CoESPU premises have directly led to successful victim identification and repatriation efforts in different countries, demonstrating the practical value of our partnership. 🔄 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: As we celebrate this milestone, we're excited to announce plans for future regional simulations in #Vicenza, continuing our mission to enhance global anti-trafficking responses. 🙏 CoESPU - Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units, Commandant at CoESPU_Brig. Gen. Carabinieri Giuseppe De Magistris, Arma dei Carabinieri, and Italy 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 for two decades of excellence and your unwavering commitment to combating human trafficking. Here's to many more years of impactful collaboration! Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale Stefano Pizzicannella Andrea Cascone Adriana Lori  #AntiTrafficking #InternationalCooperation #LawEnforcement #OSCE #CoESPU #CombatingTrafficking #Partnership #VictimProtection