| Policy document
29 June 2004 |
NATO Policy On Combating Trafficking In Human Beings
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This NATO policy takes into account the
universal condemnation of the crime of trafficking in
human beings and reiterates
that it constitutes a serious abuse of human rights,
especially affecting women and children. It is a transnational
problem,
requiring concerted multilateral action if it is
to be defeated. Trafficking in human beings, affects countries
of origin,
countries of transit and countries of destination.
This
modern day slave trade fuels corruption and organised
crime. It
has the potential to weaken and destabilise fragile
governments and runs counter to the goals of NATO-led efforts
especially
in South Eastern Europe. A zero-tolerance policy
regarding trafficking in human beings by NATO forces and
staff,
combined with education and training, is required.
- Allies reaffirm their commitment to promoting
peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic Area and to
combating the trafficking in human beings and agree the following
policy. NATO will support and sustain further development
of practical
cooperation between nations and between NATO and other
international institutions such as the UN, OSCE and International
Organisation
for Migration. NATO will also consult with NGOs active
in this field with a view to improving its existing mechanisms
and
measures for the implementation of the present policy.
Close exchange of information and experience between
NATO
and the
EU should also be developed in accordance with agreed
procedures.
- This policy on combating the trafficking
in human beings aims to reinforce efforts by NATO and
individual nations
to prevent and combat trafficking and the commitments
undertaken in the context of other international organisations
including
the “UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking
in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing
the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized
Crime”.
and the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human
Beings. NATO and non-NATO troop contributing nations
will develop and
implement various measures that discourage the demand
by their military and civilian personnel that fosters all
forms
of exploitation
of persons.
- In the context of this policy trafficking
means, the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring
or receipt
of persons, by means of the threat of use of force
or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of deception, of
the abuse
of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the
giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the
consent
of a person having control over another person, for
the purposes of exploitation. Exploitation shall include,
at
a minimum,
the exploitation of the prostitution of others, or
other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services,
slavery
or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal
of organs.
- This policy is developed by NATO in consultation
with its Partners and nations contributing forces to
NATO-led operations. Allies re-affirm their commitment to
ratification,
acceptance or approval of the UN Convention and relevant
Protocol and agree:
- to review national legislation
and report on national efforts to meet obligations associated
with
the UN
Convention and its Protocol in accordance with
the relevant decisions taken by the Parties to those
treaties;
- to encourage all nations contributing
forces to NATO- led operations to ratify, accept
or approve the UN
Convention Against Organised Crime and relevant
Protocol and adhere to the OSCE Code of Conduct;
- that this policy is aimed at securing
standards of individual behaviour;
- that all personnel taking part
in NATO led-operations should receive appropriate training
to
make them aware of the
problem of trafficking and how this modern day
slave trade impacts on human rights, stability and security,
as
well
as being informed of their own responsibilities and
duties and
the respective responsibilities of International
Organisations in this field;
- in the conduct of operations,
to continue efforts, within their competence and respective
mandates,
to provide
support to responsible authorities in the host
country in their efforts to combat trafficking in human
beings;
- to incorporate contractual provisions
that prohibit contractors from engaging in trafficking
in human beings or
facilitating it and impose penalties on contractors
who fail to fulfil their obligations in this regard;
and
- to evaluate implementation of
their efforts as part of the ongoing reviews carried
out by the competent
authorities.
- In order to ensure maximum effectiveness
of the present policy, NATO nations commit themselves
to ensure full
national implementation of this policy. Non-NATO Troop
contributing nations are expected to take similar steps
upon joining a NATO-led
operation.
- NATO personnel serving at NATO Headquarters
and its Agencies as well as those taking part in NATO
led operations
should continue to conduct themselves with regard to
the highest professional standards and with respect to national
as well
as international law.
Related information:
- Appendix
1: NATO Guidelines on combating trafficking
in human beings for military forces and
civilian personnel deployed in NATO-led operations
- Appendix 2: NATO Guidance for the development of training and educational programmes
to support the policy on combating the trafficking in human beings
- Appendix 3: Guidelines for NATO staff on preventing the promotion and facilitation
of trafficking in human beings
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