Prishtina, 18 October 2022
The European Union (EU) Anti-Trafficking Day serves not only to remember and honor the victims of trafficking, but more to remember and commit, together, for the need to eradicate this form of crime everywhere, said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, in marking this day.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, in cooperation with everyone, should work to improve the situation, especially in relation to the proactive identification of victims, providing help and support, as well as increasing the prosecution and meritorious punishment of the perpetrators of crime.
This year alone, we had 15 victims of trafficking, 14 of whom are girls, 11 under the age of 18 years. 11 of the victims were used for forced prostitution, 3 for forced labor and 1 for begging, the Prime Minister said, adding that such figures may not look very high, but behind these numbers we have names and surnames, mostly children, young girls and boys.
Prime Minister Kurti underscored that the fight against this crime is urgent and necessary and that the institutions must be uncompromising in fighting this phenomenon.
Prime Minister Kurti stated that the duty of the Government remains to fight and address the main reasons behind trafficking, such as poverty, poor economic development, and low level of education and awareness. Therefore, the Government of Kosovo has concrete projects and plans for investing in economy and education, as well as safety and security for all, in particular for the most vulnerable groups such as: children, marginalized Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians communities, LGBTQI+ people, migrants, and asylum seekers and refugees, who are at greater risk of trafficking.
The Prime Minister appreciated the commitment of the Kosovo Police in the identification of criminal groups, noting that the investigation of human trafficking has marked progress. From 2021 until today, 353 suspects have been arrested and 128 criminal charges have been filed against 257 persons for criminal offenses of this nature (trafficking, facilitation of and engagement in prostitution, etc.). In the same period, 68 people were arrested, and 31 criminal charges were filed against 80 persons only for human trafficking.
Marking this day, the Ministry of Internal Affairs launched the campaign against trafficking in human beings.
In addition to Prime Minister Kurti, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, the Acting Chief State Prosecutor, Mr. Besim Kelmendi, the Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Arbërie Nagavci, the National Coordinator Against Trafficking in Human Beings, who is also Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr. Blerim Gashani, as well as senior representatives of the Chief State Prosecutor’s Office, the Kosovo Police Directorate, the European Union, the European Council, the American Embassy, the IOM organization and other institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.
Speech of Prime Minister Kurti in marking the EU Anti-Trafficking Day:
Honorable President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Vjosa Osmani Sadriu,
Honorable Acting Chief State Prosecutor, Mr. Besim Kelmendi,
Honorable Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Arbërie Nagavci,
Honorable National Coordinator Against Trafficking in Human Beings and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr. Blerim Gashani,
Honorable Deputy Ministers of our Government, Mr. Vokrri and Mr. Berisha,
Honorable representatives of embassies and local and international institutions,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am honored to partake in marking this day, the European Union Anti-Trafficking Day, which serves not only to remember and honor the victims of trafficking, but more to remember and commit, together, for the need to completely eradicate this form of crime.
Today, together we call for more work and coordination, in order to fight, prevent, and especially protect the victims of trafficking.
The Republic of Kosovo and its institutions have collaborated closely with international partners over the years towards the advancement of the legal framework and its alignment with the European Union, the fulfillment of standards for the elimination of trafficking, and the development of infrastructure and human capacity. Despite the progress achieved, much work remains to be done.
This year alone, we had 15 victims of trafficking, 14 of whom are girls, 11 under the age of 18 years. 11 of the victims were used for forced prostitution, 3 for forced labor and 1 for begging.
Such figures may not look very high, but behind these numbers we have names and surnames, mostly children, young girls and boys. Therefore, the fight against this crime is urgent and necessary.
Trafficking in human beings is a violation of human dignity and fundamental freedoms, a serious violation of human rights and a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
Elimination is difficult, but the commitment of the Government of Kosovo is to make maximum efforts in meeting all the required standards in the field of combating human trafficking, by also addressing the recommendations of various reports, which mainly call for investigation and meritorious punishment of the traffickers, as well as officials involved in trafficking.
Institutions must be uncompromising in combating this phenomenon. The victims are locals and foreigners, who are trafficked with promises of marriage and employment, as dancers and singers, and forced into sex trafficking in homes, private apartments, nightclubs and massage parlors.
Our task as the Government remains to fight and address the main reasons behind trafficking, such as poverty, poor economic development, and low level of education and awareness. Hence, the Government of Kosovo has concrete projects and plants for investing in economy and education, as well as safety and security for all, in particular for the most vulnerable groups such as children, marginalized Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians communities, LGBTQI+ persons, migrants, and asylum seekers and refugees, who are at greater risk of trafficking.
Undoubtedly, this year too, the commitment of the Kosovo Police in the identification of criminal groups for human trafficking investigations has marked progress. From 2021 to date, 353 suspects have been arrested and 128 criminal charges have been filed against 257 persons for criminal offenses of this nature (trafficking, facilitation of and engagement in prostitution, etc.). In the same period, 68 people were arrested, and 31 criminal charges were filed against 80 persons only for human trafficking.
There is a lot of work ahead to fight traffickers and protect victims, but also to increase our capacities in identifying criminal groups.
As the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, in cooperation with everyone, we should work to improve the situation, especially in relation to the proactive identification of victims, providing help and support, as well as increasing the prosecution and meritorious punishment of the perpetrators of crime.
Therefore, today I want to conclude this address by calling for more work and commitment for our common goal, the prevention and strict fight against trafficking in human beings.
Thank you!
Last modified: October 19, 2022