The first tri-national meeting between senior officials from
Colombia, Ecuador and Peru aimed at eradicating human trafficking
in the region ends today following discussions on issues such as
how to cooperate more effectively on solving the problem in the
three countries.



Representatives include advisors, coordinators and directors of
various government ministries involved in combating human
trafficking from the three countries are attending the meeting
which is supported by IOM missions in the three countries and the
International Labour Organization (ILO).



Although no precise data exists on the extent and nature of human
trafficking in South America, with information on some countries
more limited than others, the issue is nevertheless, a
transnational one. One ILO study revealed that Ecuadorian children
and adolescents have been trafficked across borders for sexual
exploitation, begging and other forms of labour. The study
uncovered cases of children from Chimborazo, Tungurahua and
Imbabura provinces trafficked to Colombia and Venezuela for begging
and commercial sex exploitation while some minors, women as well as
indigenous people from Imbabura had been trafficked to Belgium.



 "Given this reality, it is essential that the three
countries coordinate and articulate actions to combat this crime
such as the investigation and prosecution of offenders, and which
also protect victims so that their rights are upheld during the
entire process," said Alejandro Guidi, IOM Chief of Mission in
Ecuador.



IOM Ecuador recently began implementing a programme to combat
human trafficking financed by the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID). The programme aims to contribute
to the implementation of a national plan of action on countering
human trafficking and other forms of violence. In addition, IOM
will promote the 101 national police helpline as part of efforts to
provide greater protection and assistance to victims of human
trafficking.



In Peru, IOM’s counter-trafficking work is focusing on women
who have been trafficked to work in the sex industry while in
Colombia, focus is on the prevention of trafficking while
simultaneously providing assistance to trafficked victims.

For more information contact

Nadia Zelisko

IOM Ecuador

Tel: 593.2.4449.28/29

E-mail: "mailto:nzelisko@oim.org.ec" target="" title=
"">nzelisko@oim.org.ec