Combating trafficking in human beings :: General Secretariat for Gender Equality

Combating trafficking in human beings

In the framework of combating trafficking in persons the following measures have been taken:

Law 3386/2005 «Entry, residence and social integration of citizens of third countries in the Greek territory» (article 46), facilitates the grant of a residence and work permit to victims of trafficking in persons, for which no payment of a fee is required. Special care is taken for the under-age victims, aiming at the quickest possible locating of their families and their legal representation and support in judicial procedures. A basic innovation is the introduction of a recovery and reflection period, so as to enable victims of trafficking to recover and make a decision, free from any influence by the perpetrators of the relevant crimes. At the same time, victims of trafficking in persons, during the recovery and reflection period, beyond the protection and security ensured by the prosecuting and police authorities, are also entitled to free legal assistance, medical care, and translation and interpretation services.

For the protection of women victims of trafficking, the same law renders critical the prohibition of deporting a pregnant woman during pregnancy and for six months after delivery.

The Secretary General for Gender Equality participates in the Special Interministerial Committee of Secretaries General, established by the Ministry of Justice, aiming at the coordination of the measures confronting the phenomenon. In the framework of implementing the Integrated National Action Plan against trafficking in persons, which is politically coordinated by the above mentioned Committee, the General Secretariat for Gender Equality has ensured:

a. Assistance to victims of trafficking, by the two Consultation Centres (in Athens and in Piraeus) for violence against women, which ensure social, psychological and legal support.

b. Possibility of including women victims of trafficking in a Programme implemented by the General Secretariat for Gender Equality aiming at ensuring work to them.

c. Information and sensitization of the public opinion, both through broadcasting a social spot produced by the General Secretariat for Gender Equality on TV, which was first broadcast in February 2006 - with a positive response from the public- and is still being broadcast up to the present, and, on the other hand, through an information leaflet in five languages (Greek, English, Albanian, Russian and Romanian).

d. In cooperation with the Institute of Training of the National Centre for Public Administration, training and sensitisation seminars addressing judges, public prosecutors, police officers and health and social workers are carried out in various Greek cities, aiming at an effective handling of cases of domestic violence and trafficking.

Programmes of developmental assistance and cooperation are implemented in the countries of origin of victims of trafficking in persons, financed by the General Directorate of International Development Cooperation (Υ.D.Α.S.) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More specifically:

A. The implementation of the programme «Education - social exclusion- prostitution- migration» was completed in Albania, Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia, with a total budget of 150.000 euros, in partnership with the Hellenic Association for Family Planning. The programme aimed at confronting the problems of social exclusion of women in those countries, unemployment, sexual exploitation and (forced) prostitution related to migration. The Research Centre for Gender Equality (Κ.Ε.TH.Ι.) had the economic and technical coordination of the programme under the scientific responsibility and supervision of the General Secretariat for Gender Equality. A seminar titled «Training of trainers» took place in Athens with the participation of representatives from all beneficiary countries and educational /informational programmes in Albania, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.

B. The Research Centre for Gender Equality (K.E.TH.I.) has started the implementation of the programme «Supporting regional policies against illegal trafficking in women» in Bosnia-Herzegovina and in Serbia (Kosovo), of a total budget of 100.000 euros. The programme belongs to the actions taking place in the social sector, and aims at confronting the phenomenon of transnational procuration, through strengthening women victims, sensitising public opinion, and educating competent bodies which deal with assistance and protection of women victims. In September 2006 a meeting took place in Athens titled «Training of trainers» aiming the staff who will participate in the educational sensitization campaign.

In the framework of participating in the campaign of the Council of Europe for combating illegal trafficking in persons, the General Secretariat for Gender Equality and the Council of Europe have organised a Conference titled «Action against trafficking in persons - Prevention, Protection, Prosecution» (Athens, 5-6 December 2006).
The General Secretariat for Gender Equality participates with a representative in the Task Group of the Hellenic Police Headquarters, to implement the Plan of cross-border and inter-regional cooperation and operational action of the police authorities in the S.E. European countries under the code name «ΙLΑΕΙRΑ».