WUNRN
GAATW - Global Alliance Against
Traffic in Women
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GAATW
Website Reference - An urgent need for a victim-centered monitoring mechanism
to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime
(UNTOC) to combat human trafficking |
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Joint written statement submitted by Amnesty International a non-governmental organization with special consultative status, the Global Alliance against Traffic in Women (GAATW) and Franciscans International (FI) non-governmental organizations with special consultative status. ________________________________________________________________________________ Via GAATW E-Bulletin |
STOP
TRAFFICKING: SUPPORT A VICTIM-CENTRED MONITORING MECHANISM
We urge States Parties to the United Nations
Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the protocols thereto
(UNTOC) to establish an inclusive and transparent mechanism to monitor States
implementation of the Convention.
UNTOC came into force
in 2000. Administered by the UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the
Convention is the main international instrument in the fight against
transnational organized crime. In 2008, States acknowledged that without an
effective monitoring mechanism it was difficult to measure the effectiveness of
UNTOC, its objectives and state compliance.
Since this time, steps have been taken to explore possible mechanisms to
monitor the implementation of UNTOC. This discussion will reach a critical
point at the UNTOC Conference of Parties in October 2010 when States will
decide whether to establish a monitoring mechanism and if so what form it
should take. We are calling on States Parties who have signed or ratified
UNTOC to work for an effective, inclusive and transparent monitoring mechanism
to UNTOC.
There are five key features we would like to see
included in any mechanism:
1. An Independent Expert
Monitoring Body
Comprised of
non-governmental experts, selected for their knowledge of the areas covered by
UNTOC and to ensure geographical spread:
1.
To collect, collate and analyse data on the
implementation of UNTOC in countries being reviewed which would form the basis
of country reports including conclusions and recommendations for follow up;
2. To assist in the follow up process by assessing States’ progress in meeting recommendations and making further suggestions on the basis of such assessment.
3.
2. Integration of
a Broad Evidence Base
Current and former victims of crimes covered by UNTOC, their service
providers and advocates have valuable knowledge about Convention implementation
and impact, making them essential contributors to any monitoring process:
1.
Consultation
should take place during the preparation of the country self-assessment report;
2.
Civil society
organisations should also be invited to make individual submissions to the
mechanism;
3. A broad range of stakeholders, including victims and former victims, multiple government agencies and civil society, should be consulted by the Independent Expert Monitoring Body.
4.
3. Thematic review
including a wide range of data sources
Data must be collected both
on the extent to which states are implementing UNTOC and how effectively
implementation is meeting the overall aims of the Convention:
4.
UNTOC and its Protocols must be monitored by
one single mechanism on a thematic rather than article-by-article basis;
5.
A wide range of data sources including reports
from relevant IGOs, INGOs, NGOs, think tanks and academic bodies should be
consulted by the Independent Expert Monitoring Group.
4. Comprehensive and transparent reporting
and follow-up mechanisms
An effective follow up
mechanism must be developed:
6.
The Independent
Expert Monitoring Group should analyse country data and make recommendations
(including detailed indicators for meeting recommendations) for each state
under review. In doing so, information provided by all
relevant stakeholders must be considered;
7.
All reports, including recommendations,
should be published on the UNODC website and made available to all stakeholders
so that they can assist in the follow up process;
8. Periodic reports by States to the Independent Expert Monitoring Group will outline their progress in meeting the recommendations.
9.
5.
Assured funding
1.
All aspects of the mechanism, including
country visits, must be funded through the UN regular budget.
LOBBY
YOUR GOVERNMENT FOR A AN EFFECTIVE, INCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT MONITORING
MECHANISM TO UNTOC!