Founding event on the 14th of October 2020
To mark this year’s European Anti-Trafficking Day, the four NGOs FIZ Advocacy and Support for Migrant Women and Victims of Trafficking, ASTRÉE, Centre Social Protestant (CSP) Genève and Antenna Mayday Ticino launched a new Switzerland-wide network to combat human trafficking: Plateforme Traite – Swiss Platform against Human Trafficking.
Petya Nestorova, Secretary General of the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), indicated where Switzerland has not yet fully implemented the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and where victim protection needs to be improved.
Afterwards, actress Marisa Rigas read out stories of victims of human trafficking, illustrating the difficulties they encounter here in Switzerland. On the basis of these stories, the Plateforme Traite support organisations highlighted the problems in victim protection and presented recommendations for politicians.
Around 70 people attended the PLATEFORME TRAITE founding event in the PROGR auditorium. The platform’s brochure in three languages, along with its flyers. Lelia Hunziker, director of FIZ, and Leila Boussemacer from CSP Genève “The founding of this platform is an important development. It enables NGOs specialising in human trafficking to come together and speak with one voice for better protection of human trafficking’s victims.” Petya Nestorova “In 2019, the four Plateforme Traite organisations supported over 400 victims of human trafficking in total. This is what sets us apart: We work directly with those affected and hear their stories. We act to make sure they are granted their rights.” Anna Schmid, Plateforme Traite “In about half of all cantons, there are no specialised structures for human trafficking victims. There is an urgent need for a nationwide guarantee of suitable accommodation, counselling and support – as well as uniform standards.” Anna Schmid, representing Monica Marcionetti from Antenna MayDay Ticino Actress Marisa Rigas reads out stories of victims of human trafficking. “Victims of human trafficking for labour-exploitation purposes are often not considered victims of trafficking and therefore have no access to the rights that this status would actually grant them.” Sibel Can-Uzun from CSP Genève “Switzerland should make use of the sovereignty clause for refugee victims of human trafficking instead of deporting them to a Dublin state, because that is often where the exploitation took place. The risk of being caught by human traffickers again is often enormous.” Doro Winkler, FIZ “Convictions for human trafficking are still rare in Switzerland. The cooperation of the victim and witnesses is crucial in order to achieve a conviction. There is a direct link between victim protection and successful prosecution of perpetrators.” Angela Oriti, ASTRÉE 
Fotographer: Sandra Garrido
Return