On July 2-3, 2013, the GUAM Secretariat in Kyiv, Ukraine hosted the 11th meeting of the Working Sub-Group on Combating Trafficking in Persons and Illegal Migration (WGS-TIP) with participation of representatives of the US Embassy in Ukraine and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Participating delegations exchanged information about the national legislation, operational situation and measures being taken in GUAM member states. The Working Sub-Group discussed the course of working out analytical summaries on the situation with crime and the tendencies observed in GUAM member states in 2012 with respect to combating trafficking in persons and illegal migration.
Regarding the information, provided by the IOM, and provisions and recommendations of The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report by the US Department of State, a special attention was paid to arising new tendencies and forms of crime, problems of identification of victims, including possible ones, defending their rights, conducting joint operations, use of different sources of statistic data, which is provided both officially and by non-governmental organizations, directions of further optimization of activities in this area.
Participating delegations supported exchange of information about national legislation that regulates issues of transplantation and human organ trade.
Representatives of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine informed about cooperation with the IOM and the American Part on strengthening capacities to use results of risk analysis and criminal analysis in state border guard system, including in combating trafficking in persons and illegal migration.
Participating delegations supported further learning of international experience in analytic methodology, development of contacts between GUAM and IOM, sharing good practices, and assistance in analytic training within GUAM, including at the bilateral level.
The Working Sub-Group supported further development of cooperation with the Southeast European Law Enforcement Center (SELEC) as well as with number of other states.
The outcomes of the meeting were reflected in the resultant Protocol. The next meeting of the WGS-TIP is scheduled to take place in November 2013.
