International Conference: “Best Practices in the Implementation of National Referral Mechanisms/Systems for Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking” 28–30 June, 2011 Chisinau, Moldova International Conference Best Practices in the Implementation of National Referral Mechanisms/Systems for Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking 28–30 June, 2011 Chisinau, Moldova The International Conference “Best Practices in the Implementation of National Referral Mechanisms/Systems for Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking” was organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Labour, Social Protec- tion and Family in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission in Moldova on June 28—30, 2011 in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. The Conference report is a compilation of best practices, conclusions and recommendations made during three successful working days. We would like to thank the Moldovan Ministry of Labour Social Protection and Family, namely Ms. Lilia Pascal and Ms. Viorica Dumbraveanu for their generous contribution and support. We would also like to thank the International Centre “La Strada” in Moldova, namely Ms.Tatiana Fomina, for her valuable contribution in the course of organization of the conference. We would like to express our gratitude to Ms. Irina Todorova and Mr.Andrei Lutenco from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission to Moldova for conceptualizing and coordinating the International Conference, as well as to Ms.Tatiana Jardan for drafting the report. The authors thank all the experts and participants at the conference, whose valuable presentations, knowledge and exper- tise added value to the conference and were the basis for this report. In addition, we would like to thank the donors, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who supported the organization of the Conference and the production of this report. Copyright © IOM, International Organization for Migration, Mission to Moldova, 2012. All rights reserved. Coordonator: Irina Todorova, Prevention and Protection Programme Coordonator, IOM Moldova. Development IOM Moldova Prevention and Protection Staff and support: Design and “Casa Imago” SRL, Chisinau, 5, A. Lapusneanu Street Printing House: Tel.: (+373 22) 23 78 20, Fax: (+373 22) 23 24 59, [email protected], www.imago.md This publication was produced by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission to Moldova within the CIS Anti-Trafficking Programme (CAT) project “Strengthening the National Referral System in Moldova” funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and “The Neighborhood Programme against Human Trafficking in Eastern and South eastern Europe”, funded by the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affaires. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of IOM and do not necessarily reflect the views of the donors. CONTENTS ACRONYMS 3 1. FOREWORD 5 2. AGENDA 6 3. BACKGROUND and RATIONALE OF THE CONFERENCE 11 4. OVERVIEW 4.1 DAY 1 Legal and Institutional Framework of National Referral Mechanisms/Systems (NRM/NRS) and National Counter-Trafficking Strategy Implementation 15 4.2 DAY 2 Quality Standards in Delivering Protection and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking and Persons At-Risk of Being Trafficked 28 4.2.1 WORKING GROUPS OUTPUTS 4.2.1.1 Working Group 1: Quality standards in delivering protection and assistance to victims of trafficking 32 4.2.1.2 Working Group 2: Victims’ Rights protection through the justice system 36 4.2.1.3 Working Group 3: General and operational monitoring and evaluation (policy and case) 40 4.3 DAY 3 Priorities and Best Practices in Transnational Cooperation in the Field of Protection and Assistance of Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings 43 5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONFERENCE 51 6. ANNEXES Annex 1: List of participants of the Conference 54 1 ACRONYMS CAP Centre for Assistance and Protection CCTiP Centre for Combating Trafficking in Persons CIS Commonwealth of Independent States CoD Country of Destination CoO Country of Origin CPA Central Public Authorities CPTW Centre for Prevention of Trafficking in Women CRIC Child Rights Information Centre CSO Civil Society Organization CT Counter-Trafficking HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus ICMPD International Centre for Migration Policy Development ILO International Labour Organization IO International Organization IOM International Organization for Migration KCIK National Consulting and Intervention Centre for Victims of Trafficking LE Law Enforcement LPA Local Public Administration MDT Multi-Disciplinary Team MFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs MFAEI Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration MLSPF Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family NAP National Action Plan NGO Non-Governmental Organization NMPA National Mechanism for Providing Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings NRM National Referral Mechanism NRS National Referral System OSCE Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe ODIHR Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights QS Quality Standards RF Russian Federation RM Republic of Moldova RSG Regional Steering Group SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SECI Southeast European Cooperative Initiative STI Sexually Transmitted Infection THB Trafficking in Human Beings UAE United Arab Emirates UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFPA United Nations Population Fund USAID United States Agency for International Development VoT Victim of Trafficking 3 1. FOREWORD The International Organization for Migration, Mission to Moldova has been providing direct assistance to victims and potential victims of trafficking in human beings for the past 10 years. Throughout this time, we have been building a strong partnership with the Government counterparts, NGOs, international organizations, and our beneficiaries. After many years of assisting victims of trafficking, there was a need for a more comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable approach; this is why the National Referral System (NRS) was established as a cooperation framework between key state institutions, International Organizations and Civil Society to protect and assist victims and potential victims of trafficking following international standards. The NRS was first piloted in 5 districts in 2006, and currently covers the whole territory of the Republic of Moldova. It is recognised as a best practice based on Proactive Prevention by assisting vulnerable women and children before they are pushed into the hands of traf- fickers and it aims to become an integral part of the National Social Protection system. The International Conference “Best Practices in the Implementation of National Referral Mechanisms/Systems for Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking” was organized in order to evaluate the progress of the NRS and to validate the system against current developments. It is a logical and needed follow-up on the recom- mendations of the previous conference organised by International Center La Strada in 2008. The main goal of the conference is to share best practices, identify main challenges and develop common recommendations for the further consolidation of National Referral Mechanisms in the wider region. This report is a compilation of the best practices, conclusions and recommendations made during three successful working days. We would like to express our deep gratitude for the support, collaboration and contributions in the preparation and implementation of the Conference to our long-standing partners: The Ministry of Labour, Social Protec- tion and Family, the members of the Regional Steering Groups (from Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine) within the Regional Programme against Human Trafficking in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. Our special gratitude goes to the donors: the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swiss Agency for Development and Coopera- tion (SDC) which have supported IOM’s regional counter-trafficking efforts for many years in a row. We also would like to thank all the participants of the Conference for sharing their experience, for their active participation in the discussion sessions, and for providing valuable feed-back for the final recommendations. All the inputs are integrated in the report and will help building effective and sustainable partnerships among those involved in the fight against human trafficking. Martin WYSS, Chief of Mission IOM Moldova 5 Best Practices in the Implementation of National Referral Mechanisms/Systems 28–30 June, 2011 for Protection and Assistance of Victims of Human Trafficking Chisinau, Moldova 2. AGENDA DAY ONE: Tuesday, 28 June 2011 08:30 09:30 Registration 09:30 09:50 Official opening: Martin Wyss, Chief of Mission, IOM Moldova Welcome remarks: Valentina Buliga, Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family of the Republic of Moldova Vadim Misin, Head of the Human Rights and Interethnic Relations Committee, the Parliament of Moldova Georgette Bruchez, Country Director, Swiss Cooperation Office Moldova 09:50 10:00 Aims and objectives of the Conference Martin Wyss, Chief of Mission, IOM Moldova Session ONE Legal and Institutional Framework of National Referral Mechanisms/Systems (NRM/NRS) and National Counter-Trafficking Strategy Implementation. Chairpersons: Lilia Pascal Head of Prevention of Violence and Insurance of Gender Equality Policy Department, Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family, Moldova