Fight against human trafficking priority of Kosovo Government

Luan Ibraj

27 September 2005

Prime Minister Kosumi announced the anti-trafficking campaign in Kosovo

"Our institutions are determined to fight human trafficking in Kosovo�, said Kosovo Prime Minister Bajram Kosumi yesterday, at the press conference that marked the launch of the campaign for increase of public awareness, prevention and fighting human trafficking. The Campaign will be implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister, with the support by IOM � International Office of Migrations and financed by USAID.

The campaign includes two video spots, which will be broadcasted on Radio and Television of Kosova, starting yesterday until December 10 of this year.

Human trafficking is a contemporary form of slavery and it is a grave violation of human rights. In Kosovo human trafficking is prohibited and is sentenced according the laws in force.

Kosumi said that the Kosovo institutions will get involved in the anti-trafficking efforts through support and protection for the victims and prosecutions of criminals involved in trafficking rings in Kosovo.

Enrico Ponziani from IOM (International Organization of Migration) discussed the support that IOM provided for the campaign and other counter-trafficking activities.

�Trafficking is best fought if the public opinion acknowledges the existence of this problem�, said Ponziani.

�Trafficking cannot be prevented if the public is not informed about the problem. The Campaign will be characterized with continuous increase of investigations of trafficking networks and through introduction of practices of direct and indirect involvement of persons in trafficking�, emphasized Ponziani.

Sexual exploitation of trafficking victims is a criminal offence in Kosovo, with maximum sentence of 10 years of prison.