Statement at the 1495th Meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on the Report by the OSCE Special Representative and Co-Ordinator for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings

Thank you, Madame chair

At the outset, let me congratulate Dr. Johnstone on her report on the work of the Special Representative for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings. Iceland fully supports the work of the Special Representative, and we thank her for her comprehensive report. 

Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime, a grave violation of human rights and a challenge to sustainable development. Due to Russian Federation’s illegal and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, we are faced with a refugee and humanitarian crises that, in turn, have raised significantly the risk of trafficking in human beings throughout the OSCE region. Therefore, it is clear that combatting trafficking in human beings is an essential piece of the OSCE’s approach to comprehensive security.

Amidst the fluctuating security landscape, the office of the Special Representative continues to do crucial work in assisting participating States in delivering impactful results to combat trafficking in human beings throughout the OSCE region. The office plays an important role in convening platforms for States to come together to address broader regional security challenges that require cross-border coherence and collaboration.

Madame Chair

Iceland is strongly committed to tackling all forms of trafficking in persons, and we have significantly stepped-up concerted efforts in recent years.

In 2021, amendments were made to the Icelandic Penal Code to further increase judicial protection of victims and survivors of trafficking.

At the start of 2024, a new inter-ministerial steering committee was established to develop a new action plan to combat trafficking in persons that will be finalized in the spring of 2025. The new action plan will replace the government’s 2019 framework for effectively addressing trafficking in persons and other forms of exploitation.

Madame Chair

As mentioned in the Special Representative’s report, Iceland participated in a simulation-training conducted by the Representative’s office in Brühl, Germany, that proved to be very useful to Iceland’s Metropolitan police. The training gave them the necessary tools, training and knowledge to conduct a successful anti-trafficking operation earlier this year, uprooting criminal actions in the restaurant business and leading to the alleged traffickers now facing criminal charges. Iceland wholeheartedly agrees with you, Special Representative, that this is an example of OSCE’s capacity to drive real results on the ground.

Once again, we commend the Special Representative for her ability to conduct these successful events, demonstrating remarkable efficiency and achieving significant outcomes despite working with the smallest budget among OSCE Secretariat programmatic departments.

Madame Chair

It is critical that all OSCE participating States make constructive use of the competence of the Co-Ordinator’s office and the OSCE toolbox in general to improve the implementation of our OSCE commitments.

Iceland looks forward to further cooperation with the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and congratulates her for taking on this important role with such effectiveness. We wish Dr. Johnstone the best of success in her work as Special Representative and affirm our continued cooperation.

I thank you, Madame Chair.