Оперативної групи з протидії торгівлі людьми Кластеру з питань захисту (ОГПТЛ)

 

Today, I attended the Protection Cluster's Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ATTF) in Ukraine. This is an online meeting that due to funding cuts with USAID and the war has not met since November 2024. So even though I am in the middle of moving I made it a priority to attend and learn about the recent updates to anti-trafficking work in Ukraine. We learned about developments with the State Programme on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings until 2030. It was interesting to hear how the program is aimed at European Union membership and integration commitments. There are special mentions in the program for recruitment in online spaces and the use of online networks by traffickers which was particularly interesting for our research. 

We also had a presentation on the different human trafficking cases assisted by the IOM Mission in Ukraine and its Partners in 2024–2025. It was very interesting to see differences throughout the war specifically that more people are exploited in Ukraine now than at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. This could also be because Ukraine is better at identifying human trafficking than other border countries specifically Poland and also because Ukrainians prefer to return to Ukraine for assistance. The vast majority of those exploited were men 52% versus 48% women continuing the trend that we have seen in Ukraine previously before the full-scale. 

Finally, we discussed the GRETA Statement on the Risks of Trafficking in Human Beings Faced by Unlawfully Deported and Forcibly Transferred Ukrainian Children. This presentation discusses the key findings of the study the built the foundation for the statement. One thing that I found interesting about this statement was the inclusion of Belarus in the transfer of Ukrainian children. Belarus is usually left out these discussions but it was noteworthy to see their active role in resettling Ukrainian children in their country. 

Overall, it was nice to see so many colleagues and people who I have known for years in the anti-trafficking community in Ukraine especially after such a long break with task force meetings. Hopefully this trend can continue in the future despite Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

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