VIENNA, 28 February 2005 - OSCE Special Representative on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Helga Konrad, urged the OSCE States to adopt a victim-centred approach and allow them an extended stay in the countries they are trafficked into.

"Up to 50 per cent of immediately expelled victims are 're-cycled' by traffickers and become victims a second time," she said. "Therefore States should offer victims real alternatives."

Ms Konrad was addressing more than 150 experts who gathered for a one-day meeting in Vienna dedicated to developing assistance to and protection of human trafficking victims.

"We should offer them a package, going beyond the conventional shelter or hotline possibilities. States should grant the victims extended stay, during which they can also work."

Ms Konrad said that among the 55 OSCE States, Italy was the only one offering victims such a possibility and thus a realistic chance for social inclusion.

Judge Maria Grazia Giammarinaro from Italy supported Ms Konrad's demand with concrete examples from her country.

"The number of court cases against traffickers registered a ten-fold increase within the first year of implementation of the new victim-centred Italian legislation," she said.

"Since the new law was introduced in 2000, almost 3,000 cases have been filed and brought to court, with hundreds of traffickers being sentenced and networks being crushed. Once the victims are sure of their safety and security, they are more willing to co-operate during the prosecution."

Ms Konrad stressed that a state should first offer protection to victims and then expect co-operation from them.

"Residence and work permits should be given unconditionally," she added. "We must switch from an exclusively law-enforcement approach to a victim-centred one. The victim as such is entitled to assistance - there is no justification for making assistance dependent on participation in the prosecutorial process."

A victim-centred approach will be more effective in curbing this serious crime and horrendous human rights violation, the OSCE Special Representative on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings concluded.