In their press release they stated that "Member States agreed on advancing their cooperation and reaffirm support for the work of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Sections and its main goals: broadening awareness and understanding of the trafficking in persons problem, sharing information with governments and civil society, identifying policies that will reduce human trafficking, working with officials on implementing concrete anti-trafficking measures, and identifying new partners and financial resources for fighting human trafficking." What does that mean for their policies in the GA?
It seems that the OAS member states plan to stick together. Most of them stated that they have not discussed the issue outside the orgaization. Cuba expressed this explicitly: "Our first priority is to strengthen ties with OAS countries and then form connections with others." Venezuela stated that unfortunately they have not discussed this issue with other member states yet, but will certainly do it in the nearly future. Same goed for Argentina and Mexico who states that they have not discussed the issue with any other member states. It seems that the only one in the OAS that has been active also in other regions is USA. "Besides the OAS Member States, we have had meetings and talks with the EU Member States, G8 coalition and other like-minded states, such as Israel, Australia, Indonesia, South Korea etc. We would like to once again reiterate the need for a comprehensive solution and cooperation of all countries of the GA."
All the OAS member states seem to strongly support the idea of combating human trafficking and smuggling in the light of the issue of forced migrations. And how do they plan to tackle this? Argentina believes that the awareness about the problem of human trafficking need to be raised and that UN countries should consider create special program which would help all states with it.
Cuba emphasized that it is necessary to join forces, cooperate share the responsibility. USA encourages states to respect and fully implement certain provisions in relevant international documents (see in detail in complete interviews below). And the way Venezuela sees the solution? "In order to decrease number of illegal migrations and human trafficking, one of our objectives is establishment and promotion of better, stricter border policies." Mexico seems to agree as they say that it is in their best interest to improve the safe passage through borders in order to prevent human trafficking.
But this is not their only priority issue on the agenda of forced migrations. Argentina calls for improvement of emergency response operations to restore the conditions of uninterrupted growth in the countries affected by disaster. Cuba mentioned the need to address the issue of environmental disasters, which is an important factor in the area of forced migrations. They also believe that they need to strengthen relations with United States in order to achieve elimination of embargo posed by the U.S. toward Cuba, which prevents Cuba from fully developing its potential and presents the main cause for migrations to U.S. USA on the other hand believes in protection and prevention of forced migration in all their forms. Mexico exposed another problem - the issue of drugs and gangs which often contributes to forced migrations in Mexico. "Mexico calls upon international community to recognize that the drug problem in Mexico is no longer a minor problem," told us the Mexican representative.
What about the policy of burden sharing which has been advocated by African and some EU member states? "If achieving peace, social justice, individual and collective well-being and human solidarity will mean including burden sharing, than we do not see any obstacle of translating this policy into practice," said H.E. ms. Ferme, Cuban representative. But will member states, supporting the policy of burden sharing, be convincing enough? The Argentinian representative that this is the main factor that will decide on their support for the policy: "Argentina believes that this idea is good but we cannot say right now that we will support it. We want to see how during session founders of idea of burden sharing will present this and if they convince us we will support it." USA also doesn't seem too convinced by the idea of burden sharing. "It is hard to say that we agree with a certain policy because we have not discussed any particular and detailed policy yet. There are initiatives, and of course, we do support them as burden sharing in the issue of forced migration represents one of the obligations in the international community." USA does support this idea to discuss the issue, discuss perspectives and policy options, but believes it cannot be done instantly. Venezuela on the other hand says that they are ready to support all policies which will improve position of migrants, ensure social justice and collective well-being. Mexico is of similar opinion: "We will support any policies that will improve the well-being and the conditions of migrants."
To sum up - OAS seems to have quite determined and similar opinions. The majority of member states has not discussed this issue with any other member state so it seems that they are satisfied with the support they are getting in the OAS. It is to be expected that they will fight for some policies for stricter control of human trafficking and smuggling although the loudest solution seems to be of a more bilateral matter - stricter border control. And about theissues that other regions plan to bring to the table? OAS member states will have to be really impressed and convinced to support them.
Tamara Kajtazović
_______________________________________________Complete joint statement and interviews:
1. There has been a wide spread emphasis on the policy of burden sharing among member states – especially the EU members and African states. Do you agree with this policy and will support it in the General Assembly?
ARGENTINA: Argentina believes that this idea is good but we cannot say right now that we will support it. We want to see how during session founders of idea of burden sharing will present this and if they convince us we will support it.
CUBA: If achieving peace, social justice, individual and collective well-being and human solidarity will mean including burden sharing, than we do not see any obstacle of translating this policy into practice.
MEXICO: We will support any policies that will improve the well-being and the conditions of migrants.
USA: It is hard to say that we agree with a certain policy because we have not discussed any particular and detailed policy yet. There are initiatives, and of course, we do support them as burden sharing in the issue of forced migration represents one of the obligations in the international community. We must work together in this field, all countries must participate. Of course, there are some developmental hurdles and we are aware of them, but countries must participate in financial and demographic burden sharing in one or another way.
Therefore, USA supports this idea to discuss the issue, discuss perspectives and policy options, but this cannot be done instantly. Our delegation proposed to differ the question of burden sharing to the High-Level Dialogue on International Migration and Development and form an extraordinary thematic resolution on International migration and development in the second committee of the General Assembly in its sixty-ninth session in order to determine the specifics of a new burden sharing system for the UNHCR and we will stand behind this idea which can provide a lasting solution to the problem and an efficient mechanism which will empower this regime.
VENEZUELA: Venezuela emphasizes the need for a strong cooperation within the all states. We are ready to support all policies which will improve position of migrants, ensure social justice and collective well-being.
2. In the OAS statement you mentioned that the strategy to combat human trafficking is one of the priorities on your agenda. Have you discussed it with any other member states outside the OAS and maybe found some like-minded?
ARGENTINA: We do not discussed this problem with other country but we believes that not only OSA countries see this issue as really important. To create better world we believes that others UN countries would be cooperative.
CUBA: Our first priority is to strengthen ties with OAS countries and then form connections with others.
MEXICO: We believe that human trafficking is a world-wide problem and it is not affecting only our continent. Unfortunately, we have not discussed this issue with other members because we wanted to strengthen the position of our region first, and then, after we present this issue, we expect other countries will follow and support our efforts.
USA: At this point, we would like to express our gratitude to all countries that are prepared to cooperate and address this very important issue. And yes, we have discussed it with many countries. Besides the OAS Member States, we have had meetings and talks with the EU Member States, G8 coalition and other like-minded states, such as Israel, Australia, Indonesia, South Korea etc. We would like to once again reiterate the need for a comprehensive solution and cooperation of all countries of the GA. All countries are affected by these activities, wether as countries of origin, transition or as destination countries, and we believe that all countries have interests to discuss this. Each and every country that is interested to help develop, broaden, implement and monitor policies of human trafficking prevention, is very important partner to us and we invite States to address this issue, to express their concerns and provide ideas. We must say that the number of countries that are willing to participate delights us and we believe that this issue will be tackled accordingly to its severity.
VENEZUELA: Unfortunately we have not discussed this issue with other member states yet, but we will certainly do it in the nearly future. In the past months we were mostly focused on our national problems and therefore were not able to address some international issues. You have to understand that the death of our dear president somehow paralyzed a whole country and that establishment of a new government was a quite demanding task. Now, after successful elections, our country somehow recovers and therefore we will again become more active also on international political stage.
3. Do you have any specific policies regarding human trafficking in mind, that you will propose to GA member states?
ARGENTINA: The best solution would be promotion of human rights, but we also believes that we need to raise awareness about the problem of human trafficking. UN countries should consider create special program which would help all states with it.
CUBA: It is necessary that we join forces, cooperate among themselves and share the responsibility to prevent human trafficking, protect its victims and prosecute those responsible of such trafficking. Today, no country, whatever powerful it may be, is ready to tackle the issue alone.
MEXICO: For Mexicans, the movement of migrants has been a part of our social policy. It is in our best interest to improve the safe passage through borders in order to prevent human trafficking. As we have already emphasized in the statement, we want to increase awareness of the problem and take appropriate steps towards reforms which would benefit us all. The protection of its citizens is in the hands of each individual country, however Mexico is feeling obligated to express the need to strengthen position of all countries towards stricter policies against such crimes. Hence, we can point out that in the light of the human rights of those who experienced such tragedy, we are arguing for stricter punishment of the perpetrators. We are also open to further discussions and propositions by other countries.
USA: First of all, United States strongly encourage states to respect and fully implement the provision stipulated in the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, in the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and in the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Furthermore, we encourage cooperation on the regional and international level, either through for example OAS Anti-Trafficking in Persons Section or UN GIFT, and collecting, monitoring and sharing data in this field. United States has a rather strong policy on the field of human trafficking and we are very satisfied with the fact that many countries are ready for bilateral (and multilateral) cooperation in these policies. In this point, we are referring also to the Member States of the OAS. Our Interagency Task Force is an important example of a state-level coordination and we will call upon States to establish such policies, programmes and initiatives.
VENEZUELA: In order to decrease number of illegal migrations and human trafficking, one of our objectives is establishment and promotion of better, stricter border policies. We are aware that tight border controls are thought to contribute to the fight against trafficking, but at the moment it seems to be optimal solution. Somehow we are actually faced with a self-perpetuating process, which fuels human rights violations and strict border control policies at the same time: stricter border controls make “smuggling business” more profitable and therefore encourages many smugglers to entry it, what, in turn, calls for more control.
4. Do you have any other priorities regarding the issue of forced migrations?
ARGENTINA: On this agenda topic Argentina is very flexible and we are ready to cooperate because we do not have big problem with forced migration. That why we will support initiatives which will care about human right, diversity and equality. As we said in opening speech UN countries should try to find standarize procedur for migriation. About migration for reasons like environmental issue, war, natural disasters,… United Nation should improve emergency response operations to restore the conditions of uninterrupted growth in the countries affected by disaster.
CUBA: Our priority is to strengthen relations with United States in order to achieve elimination of embargo posed by the U.S. toward our country, which prevents Cuba from fully developing its potential and presents the main cause for migrations to U.S. And since Cuba is one of the countries which are exposed to serious climatic threats, our objective is also to address the phenomenon of environmental disasters which present a serious cause of forced migration.
MEXICO: With numerous the natural disasters, human trafficking, and organized crime, Mexico is also facing is the migration, generated by gang, drug and crime-related violence. According to some estimates, around 1.5 million Mexicans have been uprooted by such violence in the last five years. The war on drugs is making wealthy well-educated Mexicans leave the country, thus diminishing the available skilled labor force and investment needed for future economic development. Mexico calls upon international community to recognize that the drug problem in Mexico is no longer a minor problem but carries immense consequences for international peace and security.
We are a country who believes in green growth, who believe that the environmental challenges that we face are opportunities for business, technology and growth. We are also part of those countries that believe in standing tall on the world stage and Mexico is doing that: by holding the Cancun summit; by holding the G20 summit; by speaking out, more and more, on issues that matter around the world, like what is happening in Iran and Syria and by introducing climate change legislation, which we think the world should rightly follow.
USA: United States is one of the primary actors in the field of forced migrations. Our priorities are protection and prevention of forced migration in all their forms. We would like to invite countries to participate fully in this regime and be equal and reliable partners in this issue. Furthermore, there are some specific geographic areas and vulnerable groups we would like to address. Finally, we welcome the opportunity to discuss burden sharing, as this is a great opportunity to really express our views and opinions on obligations that all states have to the international community and each and every individual. Therefore, we cannot prioritise certain aspects of this issue. This topics must be discussed broadly, we must address all issues, find a solution, discuss compromising. And what can be found in the working paper, is definitely a leap forward as we can and hopefully we will pledge ourselves to find solutions in a certain period of time that is long enough to find successful, lasting and efficient solutions and on the other hand also short enough to protect and prevent in due time.
VENEZUELA: Over the last few years, the expansion and intensification of Colombia’s domestic conflict forced number of Colombians to seek protection in neighboring countries. In 2004 a massacre on the Colombian side of the Guajira peninsula caused the forced migration hundreds of Colombian refugees to Venezuela, which resulted in a humanitarian crisis. At the moment we estimate that there are more than 1,000.000 Columbian refugees living within the territory of our country. Our aim is to protect their basic human rights. Our policy towards them is actually very open. When they assimilate into our society, we protect their basic human rights and treat them equally as all other citizens. In addition to this and in accordance with our constitution all refugees have ensured free health care and education and easier access to housing.
At this point, we are also calling Columbian authorities to start resolving its local disputes effectively and to employ more efforts in resolving refugee problems. Venezuela believes that Columbian national issues are threatening stability of the whole region.
JOINT STATEMENT
Member States of the Organization of American States met for a coffee meeting to discuss advancement of their cooperation in the field of forced migration. Taking into account goals and purposes of the Organization of American States, Member States of Organization of American States reaffirmed our support for discussion, cooperation and solution to the problem of forced migration. Organization of American States is severely affected by the issue of human trafficking and smuggling. Trafficking in persons has become a growing problem for the region and it cannot be solved unilaterally. A strategy to combat human trafficking needs to aggregate national efforts, bilateral measures and multilateral cooperation.
Hence, Member States agreed on advancing their cooperation and reaffirm support for the work of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Sections and its main goals: broadening awareness and understanding of the trafficking in persons problem, sharing information with governments and civil society, identifying policies that will reduce human trafficking, working with officials on implementing concrete anti-trafficking measures, and identifying new partners and financial resources for fighting human trafficking. Member States reiterated the importance of cooperation in fostering national actions by governments, advancing effective anti-trafficking best practices in prevention, protection, investigation and prosecution, and implementing existing Organization of American States projects and training programs, as well as developing new ones.
Member States of the Organization of American States would like to call upon states to further discuss the issue of human trafficking and smuggling as only bilateral and multilateral commitments can bring upon effective activities and successful results.
Anna Skabara
Permanent Representative of Argentina to the United Nations
Mojca Ferme
Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations
Tamara Pungaršek
Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations
Urška Učakar
Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations
Almedina Jakupović
Permanent Representative of Venezuela to the United Nations
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