19^th October 2004
Fighting trafficking in Human Beings in South East Europe – learning from your neighbour essential

Visit of Christian anti-trafficking network in Bulgaria to strengthen regional cooperation in fight against trafficking

A small delegation of Christian organisations active in the fight against trafficking in human beings visited Bulgaria 14^th to 18^th October in order to foster cooperation – both in Bulgaria and among neighbouring countries in South East Europe. The visit was part of the activities of the European network, “Christian Action and Networking against Trafficking in Women” (CAT).
The group brought together representatives of the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe, Caritas Europa and the Romanian Forum for Refugees and Migrants ARCA. It visited local initiatives against trafficking and shared first-hand information about the social and legal framework of trafficking in Bulgaria. The group also met with representatives of the International Organisation for Migration, La Strada and organisations interested in developing anti trafficking work. Discussions underlined how partners in the country can profit from enhanced cooperation and exchange of knowledge and working methods against trafficking. A growing number of initiatives of high quality have over the last years been developed as a response to the massive trafficking from and within the countries of South East Europe. Exchange activities between these initiatives however so far have been limited and rarely lead to lasting cooperation. While good legislation had over the last year been developed against trafficking, effective enforcement of this legislation remained a problem.
The hosting organisations Caritas Bulgaria and catholic Relief Service had expressed the need to improve networking between the different initiatives in Bulgaria and in the region. The organisers expect to learn from experiences made in other countries.
Torsten Moritz, coordinator of the CAT project explained: “South East Europe is often only seen as a region of big problems when it comes to trafficking in Human Beings. While this is certainly true and work needs to be done, there is also progress. Governments in the region have often been very eager develop policy plans to combat trafficking. Churches and NGOs in many places are active on the ground and translate policies against trafficking into action. Countries in the region can learn a lot from their neighbours and even countries in the West might be well-advised to see what they might learn from South east Europe. This visit is one step into this direction.”
For further information, please contact Torsten Moritz, CCME,  T.+32 486 57 55 08

The CAT (Christian Action and Networking against Trafficking in Women) Project is coordinated by the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME).
It is funded by the European Commission AGIS Programme and (since Dec. 2003) the World Council of Churches’ Diakonia and Solidarity Team .
 The views expressed and information provided by the project and the partners involved do not necessarily reflect the point of view of the European Commission or the World Council of Churches and do in no way fall under the responsibility of the European Commission or the World Council of Churches.