Strengthening the Role of Municipalities in the Work against Trafficking in Human Beings in the Baltic Sea Region FINAL REPORT

Transcription

1 Strengthening the Role of Municipalities in the Work against Trafficking in Human Beings in the Baltic Sea Region NGO Living for Tomorrow (Estonia) FINAL REPORT National Inter institutional roundtable in Tallinn Roundtable was held on in Ministry of Justice, with a 21 participants (18 women, 3 men). Attached: program, participant list, power point presentation. Main speakers of the meeting: Anu Leps (Ministry of Justice, Criminal Policy Department), Kristiina Luht (Ministry of Social Affairs, Equality Policies Department), Veljo Uustal (East prefecture, Migration Surveillance Unit) and Sirle Blumberg (NGO Living for Tomorrow, Human Trafficking Prevention and Victim Help Service), see picture link: Highlights of the National meeting: Surprisingly all participants saw the necessity to be part of the STROMII project, but we had to choose only two regions - eight counties were represented and two (Läänemaa West and Ida-Virumaa East) were selected as a partners to carry on with the municipality roundtables). Contact person in Läänemaa is Laura Siht ( laura.siht@sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee, tel: ) from Social Insurance Board Victim Help Unit in Läänemaa and Hiiumaa, and Annela Floren ( annela.floren@politsei.ee, tel: ) from East prefecture, information office. The topic of human trafficking and better assistant of victims was relevant issue for all. The chosen regions were accepting a challenge of finding out local municipality possibilities, capability and readiness for better assistance of human trafficking victims. Training and prevention in certain target/risk group was relevant and important component. Timeline activities in Läänemaa county - Haapsalu city 1 st multidisciplinary round table meeting in Läänemaa area held in Haapsalu (West County Government on with a 15 participants (12 women, 3 men). Attached: program, participant list, power point presentation and pictures Local coordinator Laura Siht invited local key actors in the first meeting (West County Government education and social department, Lääne-Nigula Parish, Social Insurance Board Victim Help Unit, Haapsalu Vocational School, Läänemaa Welfare Center, Haapsalu City Government, Haapsalu Police Department, NGO Läänemaa Women Support Center, Haapsalu Social House). Participants were introduced a National Coordination Mechanism and Structure of Government responsibilities on the topic of Human Trafficking by Anu Leps. Concept of the STROM II project and activities in local municipalities was introduced by Sirle Blumberg. The local meeting included also an

2 interactive part were participants resolved a group work Story about Maria by trying to identify a status of victim. Conclusions of the meeting: Identification of human trafficking victim is still challenge, social workers complain about lack of knowledges and skills of identification and methodology of assistance procedures. Unclear is also who are the main risk groups of their region. How big should be the working group will be decided by local coordinator and plans for the 1 st meeting of the local experts is under the discussion. Key actors unformal meetings in Haapsalu will take place before the planned trainings. Working groups meetings were held on 17.01, and in Haapsalu city, West County Government. Under the discussion was three main topic: to find out the possible service providers for human trafficking victims in local level (list of institutions, organizations, people with contacts); to draft a concrete action plan for quick reaction during 12h or/and 24h when victim is found and before sending to shelter. planning a training target group, themes, possible speakers. First training in Haapsalu municipality was held on , a.m. to p.m. with 19 participants. Second training was held in Haapsalu municipality on , a.m. to p.m. with 19 participants. Training involved several head speakers: head specialist on THB cases from Social Insurance Board, Police and Boarder Guard Migration Surveillance Department, National Expert from Ministry of Justice, National Human Trafficking and Victim Help Hotline Service. Training program aspects: - The role and responsibilities of government and governmental institution on fighting with THB; - Available services in national level for THB victims: procedure, service providers and service purchaser; - Migration surveillance: purpose, tasks and activities, rules for third country nationals working in Estonia. - Recognising THB victim: how to recognize, main indicators, second victimization issues, reflection period, main procedures, human right prospective etc. - Municipality capacity in recognizing THB victim, housing and referring to national service providers: concreate action plan with responsibilities. Facts and outcomes: In Haapsalu lives residents. The cooperation in local level and inside the community is good. STROMII project local coordinator Laura Siht (Victim Support Unit specialist in Haapsalu and Hiiumaa island) have active role in local specialist network, together with Haapsalu County government social and education department, local constable, Social housing workers and etc. Unformal network is gathering minimum once-twice a week or more if there is some prompt issues to solve. There is no reason to organise another network or committee dealing only with THB topics, instead of that THB topic can very easily integrate to different interest (working) group agendas. In local municipality there is very many committee s and most of specialist are part of different ones.

3 Police and Boarder Guard Migration Department started a new program by opening migration adviser s phone line which purpose is to support foreigners settling in Estonia and to be a partner to employers, entrepreneurs, educational institutions and to others who invite foreigners to Estonia. During the roundtables and working group meetings raised several time a question and concerns about the transportation and housing. Problem was solved by Social Insurance Board by announcing that they cover all costs and chosen service provider is responsible implementing the contract responsibilities. Haapsalu Social Housing can provide for potential human trafficking victim a housing for first 12/24 hour. Local victim support specialist in Haapsalu is the first contact point/person for organizing a services for presumed human trafficking victim. Awareness raising activities in Haapsalu (Läänemaa district) LifeStyle Marathon in Haapsalu tent in Haapsalu city. We conducted also a questionnaire among participants in the marathon and each participant got to choose a price (cup, flashlight, pen, notebook, frisbee, bag, usb, pen and visit cards with THB local contact person). Information leaflets are distributed among all local institutions. Timeline activities in East-Virumaa, Jõhvi 2 nd multidisciplinary round table meeting in East-Virumaa was held in Jõhvi (East prefecture on with a 15 participants (14 women, 1 man). Attached: program, participant list and pictures Local coordinator Annela Floren invited local key experts in the first meeting (East Prefecture - senior border official; East Prefecture - Senior Inspector for Migration Surveillance, Aseri Municipality social adviser, Ida-Viru County Vital Statistics Department, Ida-Viru County Government Education and Social

4 Services Department, Sillamäe Town Central Library, Avinurme Gymnasium, Ida-Viru County Government governor, Kohtla-Jarve Town Government - Child Protection Specialist, Newspaper Põhjarannik journalist, Social Insurance Board victim support unit). We followed the same procedure like in the meeting in Haapsalu introducing the STROM II project goals and setting up working group principles for East- Virumaa Region. Conclusions of the meeting: East-Virumaa roundtable participants were more familiar with the concrete cases of human trafficking, especially they were concerned about labour exploitation and sham marriage cases which are growing trend in the region. Main problem was, how to help victims and what kind of prevention activities people need in the region. Participation of East-Viru County Government governor showed clearly the serious interest and engagement to the topic. Working groups meetings in Jõhvi - working group meetings were held on and in Jõhvi city, East-Viru County Government. Under the discussion was four main topic: victims of human trafficking assistance system in national and coordination in local level possible service providers in local level (list of institutions, organizations, people with contacts); drafting a concrete action plan for quick reaction during 12h or/and 24h when victim is found and before sending to shelter; planning a training target group, themes, possible speakers. First training in Jõhvi municipality was held on , a.m. to p.m. with 19 participants (15 women, 4 men) Second training was held in Narva on , a.m. to p.m. with 20 participants (16 women, 4 men) Training involved several experts: a head specialist on THB cases from Social Insurance Board, Police and Boarder Guard Migration Surveillance Department, National Expert from Ministry of Justice, National Human Trafficking and Victim Help Hotline Service and in Narva and Jõhvi we included child protection specialist from Social Insurance Board with two main topics unaccompanied foreign minors referral to substitute home and exploitative sham marriages. Training program had several aspects: - The role and responsibilities of government and governmental institution on fighting with THB. - Available services in national level for THB victims: procedure, service provider and service purchaser. - Migration surveillance: purpose, tasks and activities, rules for third country nationals working in Estonia. - Recognising THB victim: how to recognize, main indicators, second victimization issues, reflection period, main procedures, human right prospective etc. - Municipality capacity in recognizing THB victim, housing and referring to national service providers: concreate action plan with shared responsibilities.

5 Facts and outcomes: In Jõhvi lives residents and Jõhvi is one of the municipalities in East-Virumaa. In East-Virumaa County only 20% of residence are Estonian nationality and Russian languages is more common speaking languages that Estonian. East-Virumaa incomes are mostly wood, construction and metal industry. STROMII project local coordinator Annela Floren (East-Prefecture, information service unit) is very active in her activity area, she is collaborating with local schools, victim support unit, county government authorities etc. Main concerns are exploitative sham marriages and migrant workers from non-eu member countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Belorussia. Young Russian speaking girls are flattered to get married in Ireland with third country nationals. New trend is that local Russian speaking women conclude sham marriages with citizens from Russia and Ukraine. Migrant workers from non-eu member countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Belorussia work in Estonia with Polish D visas which doesn t allow that, unfortunately the workers don t know this and getting caught by Migration Surveillance Police they asked to leave the country voluntarily. Nobody unfortunately investigate those cases as possible labour exploitative cases. In Jõhvi one of the main concerns was the transportation and housing for presumed human trafficking victim. Social Insurance Board announced that they cover all costs and chosen service provider is responsible implementing the contract. List of organisations and municipalities who can provide housing for potential human trafficking victim for first 12/24 hour. Local victim support specialist in Jõhvi and in Narva are the first contact points and persons for organizing a services for presumed human trafficking victim. Awareness raising activities in Jõhvi (East-Virumaa district) Information materials were distributed in local municipalities (in front of social workers cabinets where people come for social benefits) and regional family health and doctors centres. Discussion about THB in International Day of Older Persons (Kohtla-Järve city). Prevention in Kiviõli Russian Basic School (8-9 grade students) Participating in Safety and City days in Narva, Kiviõli and Kohtla-Järve Research and project evaluation 26 th and 27 th of April 2017 HEUNI researchers Natalia Ollus and Anni Lietonen visited Estonia for interviewing key actors on national and municipality level for research about costs for THB victim. For that we organized several visits: on 26 th of April interview with Evelin Müürel - Social Insurance Board chief specialist on THB; Anu Leps Ministry of Justice of Estonia, national expert, rapporteur for EU; Laura Siht - Social Insurance Board victim support unit in Haapsalu and Hiiumaa, Kaasi Almers Haapsalu County Government child protection unit and Leili Mutso Haapsalu Social House and Sirle Blumberg NGO Living for Tomorrow, Human Trafficking and Victim Support Hotline Service provider. On 27 th of April researchers interviewed in Narva: Annela Floren East prefecture, information unit and Evi Järvepera - - Social Insurance Board victim support unit in Jõhvi. HEUNI researchers also participated on 27 th of April in the final training in Narva and collected feedbacks.

6 Additional information about THB procedure rules. Victims of human trafficking assistance system in national level and coordination in local level. According to Estonian new regulation of the victim support services since , by the Victim Support Act (VSA) there are 2 categories of victims: identified victim and presumed victim. 1. Identified victim - by the VSA it is a victim of trafficking in human beings /identified victim who is a person in the case of whom criminal proceedings have been initiated with regard to the criminal offence committed against him or her based on the elements of criminal offence provided for in 133 to 1333, 138 to 140 or 175 of the Penal Code or based on the elements of criminal offence provided for in any other similar foreign penal code; 2. Presumed victim - by the VSA it is an alleged victim of trafficking in human beings is a person: 1. who has been preliminarily identified in Estonia by an organisation engaged in helping of victims of trafficking in human beings and filed information with the Estonian National Social Insurance Board about a suspicion that the person may be a victim of trafficking in human beings; or 2. in respect of whom a competent foreign authority has submitted information to the Estonian National Social Insurance Board about falling victim of trafficking in human beings in that state. Persons are entitled to get the services: An organisation engaged in Estonia in helping victims of trafficking in human beings has submitted information to the Estonian National Social Insurance Board about a suspicion that the person may be an alleged victim of trafficking in human beings, and the Social Insurance has decided to provide the victim support service to the person; A competent foreign authority has submitted information to the Estonian National Social Insurance Board about an Estonian citizen or a permanent resident of Estonia falling victim of trafficking in human beings in that state. - In criminal proceedings are not commenced in the cases, services shall be provided victims of trafficking in human beings and sexually abused minors to the extent of 60 days as of notification of the Estonian National Estonian National Social Insurance Board of refusal to commence criminal proceedings; - a person is entitled to receive the services for up to 60 days as of the decision of the Estonian National Social Insurance Board on provision of victim support services; - if the victim is an insured person for the purposes of 5 of the Health Insurance Act, the costs of the health care services provided to the person in the framework of victim support services shall be compensated for to the extent not covered by health insurance; - provision of the services provided for does not constitute a legal basis for stay of an alien in Estonia or postpone the performance of the obligation to leave Estonia. In national level help for human trafficking victims is guaranteed by two service providers: NGO Living for Tomorrow (supported by Estonian Ministry of Social Affaires) provides Human Trafficking Prevention and Victim Help Hotline Service in work days from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m. The goal of the service is to inform people about opportunities, conditions,

7 rules, and risks of work, study and marriage abroad, and to assist victims of trafficking in human beings. To achieve them, we provide following services and information: - free legal consultations on working agreements; - advice for people going abroad to work or study; - consequences of illegal employment; - how to avoid becoming a human trafficking victim; - contacts of NGOs abroad, that provide the help or consultations for victims; - contacts of governmental and non-governmental institutions involved in human trafficking fight and prevention in Estonia; - rules of entrance for Estonian citizens, persons without citizenship and foreigners living in Estonia to European Union member countries and other countries; - legislation of other countries concerning foreigners, migrants, trafficking in persons; - referral to services available for victims of human trafficking in Estonia. Shelter services for all types of human trafficking victims is provided by NGO Lifeline (supported by Social Insurance Board). Shelter is located in Tallinn, for 5 person (no restriction about nationalities, religious or sex). HT victim can be placed in shelter by the assignment of Social Insurance Board. Attachments to the report: Examples of designed and distributed materials (see below) Video Lifestyle marathon event in Haapsalu Lifestyle marathon questionnaire outcomes (like on the picture to see the results) Video STROM II project in Estonia

8 Examples of the distributed materials. T-SHIRT CUP FLASHLIGHT PEN

9 NOTEBOOK BAG USB FUNDERS LOGO STAMPS FRISBEE

10 THE FABRIC WITH SLOGAN THERE IS NO EXUSE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING (in ESTOANIAN) THE FABRIC WITH SLOGAN THERE IS NO EXUSE FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING (in RUSSIAN) CARDS WITH LOCAL THB HELP PROVIDER

11 LET S GET MARRIED BOOKMARK (about sham marriages) in Estonian

12 LET S GET MARRIED BOOKMARK (about sham marriages) in Estonian