I will be representing “HAART Kenya” https://haartkenya.org/ at the Vienna Conference on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings:
“Trafficking in Human Beings – a private matter?” – 18 October 2024 https://austria.iom.int/news/vienna-conference-combatting-trafficking-human-beings
The Vienna Migration Conference, held at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna on October 18, 2024, brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and survivors, to address the pressing issue of human trafficking. This year’s theme, “Trafficking in Human Beings – A Private Matter?”, aimed to explore whether trafficking is a concern limited to individuals or a collective societal responsibility.
The conference featured keynote speeches, survivor testimonies, and interactive workshops, all designed to foster collaboration and inspire actionable solutions. This report provides an overview of the key discussions, insights, and recommendations shared during the event, emphasizing the importance of prevention, survivor inclusion, and multi-sectoral cooperation in combating human trafficking.
Summary:
The conference served as a platform for various stakeholders—including government officials, NGOs, and survivors—to collaborate on strategies to combat human trafficking effectively.
The conference was moderated by Dr. Wolfgang Spadinger from the Austrian Foreign Ministry, who sadly announced the recent passing of Mrs. Helga Konrad, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helga_Konrad, a dedicated advocate against trafficking and for women’s rights, and former Minister for Women Affairs. He praised her long-standing commitment to various social issues, including human trafficking, and noted that she had previously organized similar events.
Ambassador Emil Brix, Director of the Diplomatic Academy, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomatic_Academy_of_Vienna, emphasized
that combating human trafficking is a priority for the Academy. He mentioned that the institution recently celebrated an anniversary and highlighted the significance of human rights in its mission. This year’s conference is subtitled “A Private Matter,” raising the question: Is it truly a private matter? Ambassador Brix stressed that prevention is crucial to ensure individuals do not become victims in the first place. He pointed out that Austria is often cited as a model for other countries but suggested that instead of criticizing those less successful, Austrians should remain open to learning from others, such as the United States, just as they can learn from Austria.
He also addressed criticism regarding the task force against human trafficking being led by a state body, noting ongoing discussions about transferring leadership to an independent organization. However, he questioned the true independence of any such body and concluded that “a little more independence would be better.”
EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Diane Schmitt: On October 18, which is European Union Anti-Trafficking Day, Diane Schmitt discussed EU policies on this issue. She reported approximately 10,000 registered victims in the EU, although many remain unregistered, indicating that the actual number is likely much higher. She highlighted significant labor exploitation and commended labor inspectors for their efforts in combating this issue. Additionally, she noted that sexual exploitation predominantly affects women and girl.
Schmitt observed a shift in victim demographics; while many victims were previously EU nationals, there is now an increasing number of migrants falling prey to trafficking. She mentioned a new directive addressing illegal adoptions and forced marriages.
She emphasized the importance of national action plans to enhance cooperation among states and recommended establishing a reporting system. Schmitt stated that legal provisions alone are insufficient without strong political commitment. Effective police collaboration and cooperation with the justice sector are vital.
Liechtenstein’s Minister Dominique Hasler’s Video Message: Hasler asserted that human trafficking is a collective issue that affects everyone, particularly vulnerable populations amid global conflicts like the war in Ukraine. She asserted that human trafficking is not a private matter but a collective concern. She called for involvement from the global financial sector, noting that $236 billion is generated through these criminal enterprises. Hasler stressed that financial institutions must cooperate to prevent money laundering associated with
trafficking.
She called for involvement from the financial sector, which is implicated in laundering profits from trafficking.
Ghada Fathi Waly, Director-General of UNODC: Waly announced a global conference on human trafficking scheduled for June 2025. She reported that UNODC reached over 11,000 victims through 44 projects last year (2023).
Laurent Ziegler: The conference also featured a male survivor of human trafficking who has become an artist, using his work to express his experiences during his ordeal.
Ambassador Georg Stillfried represented Austria’s Foreign Minister and noted that this conference marks its 18th occurrence. He emphasized that participants are committed to creating a world free from human trafficking and are actively working toward this goal.
Malaika Oringo – Survivor Perspectives: Malaika Oringo, a survivor and Founder/CEO of Footprint to Freedom (an NGO based in Amsterdam), underscored the critical need for access to services. She identified gaps within legal and administrative systems and shared her own story of feeling failed by many during her ten-year ordeal. She expressed difficulty distinguishing her identity from her trauma due to repeatedly recounting her experiences.
Malaika has built a significant network advocating for awareness about trafficking issues and collaborates with organizations like the Salvation Army to support survivor inclusion. While recognizing human trafficking as an international crime, she emphasized its deeply personal impact on individuals who suffer trauma due to burdensome institutional procedures.
She raised concerns about prioritization within support systems and noted that while responsibility appears collective on paper, victims often feel underrepresented with limited access to justice. Malaika explained how her status as an orphan left her vulnerable to becoming a victim of trafficking at a young age.
Malaika attributed poverty as a root cause of desperate decisions leading individuals into trafficking situations. She shared her encounters with people from Moldova, Georgia, and Poland seeking livelihoods under precarious conditions.
She argued against conflating her African identity with poverty; she believes trafficking thrives due to economic desperation. Despite being rescued from her ordeal, she faced new challenges in achieving sustainable living and felt exploited by legal systems during her undocumented status for ten years.
Malaika called for societal strategies to address these issues comprehensively. She expressed concern over minors risking their lives at sea and questioned how parents could make such perilous decisions. She quoted someone who remarked that no one would place their child on a boat unless they believed water was safer than land. Malaika also questioned whether scholarships allow victims to express their opinions freely or if they must conform to prevailing beliefs to receive support.
She urged leaders and policymakers to acknowledge root causes and focus on actionable solutions centered around survivors’ needs. Survivors must be included in decision-making processes without imposing formal obligations based solely on their past experiences.
Workshop 1 Summary: No way without a perspective.
The workshop focused on collaboration between civil society and police addressed issues related to begging and exploitation. Participants discussed the complexities of identifying victims within visible public contexts and emphasized building trust between law enforcement and communities.
Civil Society and Police together against trafficking in human beings. Organised by the Criminal Intelligence Service Austria
Participants engaged in discussions about begging in Austria, with many believing beggars are often part of criminal networks exploiting them. Law enforcement representatives encouraged public trust in police efforts while acknowledging frustrations when visible issues persist without resolution.
This conference served as an essential platform for stakeholders across various sectors—governmental organizations, international institutions, NGOs—to collaborate on effective solutions against human trafficking while amplifying survivor voices in advocacy efforts.
Warner Ten Kate, National Coordinating Public Prosecutor for the trafficking in human beings and people smuggling at the National Office of the Public prosecutor of the Netherlands, reported on a case whereby a woman who was intellectually disabled and thus had reduced cognitive control was exploited by a male pimp who made her be a sex worker. The consequences for her are still important to this day.
However, she was able to speak up and get legal assistance. She (her lawyer) got regular information on the progress of the case, was informed about important decisions in the criminal investigation, had the right to inspect legal documents, got compensation for material and immaterial damage.
A LEFÖ speaker/representative, who didn’t provide her name, narrated the story of a Nigerian woman who was trafficked from Nigeria through Libya. She came through a boat to Italy where she was registered as an asylum seeker. Then she was trafficked to Austria and forced to work as a sexual worker. Her family back in Nigeria were threatened when she refused to cooperate with smugglers. Up to date she has difficulty narrating her story to the public.
