A/HRC/14/32
level, in order to ensure that all victims have access to support services tailored to the
individual victim’s needs, from the point of identification up to that of reintegration in
society. In this regard, OSCE has developed a practical handbook on “National Referral
Mechanisms – Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons”.
76.
Also, in April 2009, ECOWAS Ministers adopted a Regional Policy for Protection
and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in Persons in West Africa, which aims at
establishing a supportive environment in the subregion where victims of trafficking have
equitable access to protection and assistance. SAARC recommended the establishment of
regional uniform toll-free numbers for information on the issues relating to trafficking in
women and for violence against children in member States. Within the framework of the
Bali Process a number of workshops have been organized on the provision of support to
victims of trafficking.
77.
Finally, the CoE Convention sets out a wide range of assistance measures, including
physical and psychological assistance and support for the reintegration of victims of
trafficking into society. Medical treatment, counselling and information as well as
appropriate accommodation are all among the measures provided. Victims are entitled to a
minimum of 30 days to recover and escape the influence of the traffickers and to take a
decision regarding their possible cooperation with the authorities. A renewable residence
permit may be granted if their personal situation so requires or if they need to stay in order
to cooperate in criminal investigations.
Rehabilitation and recovery
78.
The Ouagadougou Action Plan contains specific measures on rehabilitation aimed at
establishing a minimum standard for the rehabilitation of victims in the region. It calls upon
States to establish rehabilitation centres to assist victims of human trafficking, to ensure
their safety and facilitate their recovery and social reintegration, and to exchange
documentation on lessons learned regarding recovery, repatriation and reintegration.
Importantly, it also calls upon States to develop programmes for the rehabilitation and
social reintegration of children trafficked in order to become child soldiers.
79.
The CoE Convention establishes measures concerning repatriation of victims,
providing in essence that repatriation should be carried out with due regard to their rights,
safety and dignity.3 Most importantly, this requirement concerns both the party returning
the person and the party to which the person is returned. Furthermore, parties should favour
the reintegration of victims into society, including reintegration into the education system
and the labour market, in particular through the acquisition and improvement of
professional skills.
Prosecution and punishment
80.
Encouragingly, regional cooperation has been developing in this area. However, in
several cases the focus is not victim-centred, and traffickers still get away with very light
punishment upon conviction.
81.
ASEAN supports cross-border investigations and has developed practical tools in
this regard, as mentioned above. In addition, it has undertaken activities directed at
promoting cooperation between the criminal justice process and victim support agencies,
through working groups, workshops and conferences. This is extremely relevant, since
protection and assistance to victims and witnesses is essential, not only to protect the
human rights of victims, but also to achieve results in the investigation. Only victims and
3
GE.10-13211
Article 16, CoE Convention.
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