The Executive Director Jasmina Dimishkovska Rajkovska and the Program Director Marija Todorovska, as representatives of Open Gate/La Strada North Macedonia, a member of La Strada International (LSI), had the opportunity of attending the LSI NGO Platform event held in Paris from June 24-26, 2024. This event brought together various stakeholders to discuss critical issues surrounding human trafficking, exploitation, and advocacy efforts. The event featured several workshops that addressed current challenges and future actions. These included:
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- Engaging Persons with Lived Experience of Trafficking: Discussions on integrating individuals with lived experiences into policy actions and project implementations.
- Assisting Refugees from Ukraine: Strategies to enhance support and outreach services for Ukrainian refugees.
- Focal Points & European Referral Mechanism: Recommendations for establishing mechanisms for the early detection and support of trafficking victims.
- Challenges related to the application of the Reflection & Recovery period under Article 13 of the Convention, discussing GRETA’s draft guidance note covering various aspects.
- Ensuring rights to trafficked persons, alongside new EU Policies addressing migration, asylum and smuggling, discussing the impact of new EU migration and asylum policies on trafficked persons’ rights, emphasizing the need for advocacy and proper implementation to ensure these rights are protected.
- The role of anti-trafficking NGOs in supporting THB cases at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) – a practical approach highlighting procedural strategies and practical case discussions.
Public Event on Labour Exploitation and Olympic Games was also organized to discuss the potential for increased exploitation and human trafficking related to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. The discussions highlighted the need for preventive measures and due diligence to protect vulnerable workers.
Updates were provided on LSI’s advocacy efforts and future actions for 2024-2025. This included the adoption of new standards and the development of strategies to improve data collection and support for trafficked persons. LSI also provided an update on the Non-Punishment Working Group, emphasizing the importance of not penalizing trafficking victims for crimes committed as a result of their exploitation. Following this, Marija Todorovska, the Program Director of Open Gate, presented an update on the Identification Working Group, stressing the need for improved identification processes to better support and protection of trafficking persons, identifying best practices and the role of NGO’s.
The LSI NGO Platform event in Paris provided a valuable opportunity to discuss and strategize on improving conditions and support for trafficked persons. Open Gate/La Strada North Macedonia remains committed to advocating for the rights and dignity of all trafficked persons and vulnerable groups. Collaboration with international partners and continuous efforts are essential to making meaningful progress in this field.
For more information or to get involved, please contact Open Gate/La Strada North Macedonia at lastrada@lastrada.org.mk
