OSCE PA adopts organ trafficking resolution

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly adopted on Sunday the Resolution on Combating Illicit Trade in Human Organs, submitted by the Serbian delegation. The OSCE PA has included the resolution in the Belgrade Declaration. OSCE PA adopts organ trafficking resolution In the resolution, the OSCE PA expresses concern over the negative economic and social implications of organized criminal activities on people's lives, as well as over the possible increase of this type of crime, in particular the illicit trade in human organs. OSCE is especially concerned by abduction and human trafficking for the purpose of the removal of organs, in particular under the conditions of armed conflicts. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also expresses concern about the fate of missing persons from the conflicts that occurred in the former Yugoslavia, including Kosovo, in the 1990s. The resolution condemns any activity aimed at illicit trade in human organs, and it condemns most strongly the activities of organized criminal groups who by undertaking these activities adversely affect people's lives, their integrity and fundamental human rights, especially in cases where abductions are ethnically, religiously, racially and politically motivated. In the resolution, the Parliamentary Assembly invites the OSCE participating states to combat determinedly organized criminal groups dealing with illicit trade in human organs and human trafficking for the purpose of the removal of organs, and recommends for this purpose the establishment of closer co-operation, including exchange of information, and more efficient actions by the institutions of the OSCE participating states in combating illicit trade in human organs. The OSCE PA also recommends that a comprehensive investigation be undertaken of abductions and crimes connected with the removal and sale of human organs allegedly committed in Kosovo during the armed conflicts in the territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999 and immediately afterwards, and invites full co-operation with UNMIK and EULEX, as well as the relevant national institutions, and in particular the provision of all information, facts and documents on crimes concerning abductions and trade in human organs in the territory of Kosovo. The organization supports the activities of the OSCE special representative and coordinator for combating trafficking in human beings and proposes that OSCE investigate and record the cases of illicit trade in human organs in the area of OSCE with the aim of preparing a study indicating the scope of this phenomenon The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also welcomed, within the Belgrade Declaration, the arrest of Hague Tribunal indictee Ratko Mladic and his extradition to The Hague Tribunal. "The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly welcomes the recent arrest by Serbian security services of Ratko Mladic, who has been transferred to The Hague to face long-standing charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes at the Hague Tribunal," it is stated in the Belgrade Declaration. "The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly commends those who have laboured for years to bring Mladic to justice with the goals of providing comfort to his surviving victims, contributing to regional stability and reconciliation, improving the prospects for European integration, and encouraging further efforts to bring to justice those responsible for atrocities committed during the conflicts in the Western Balkans," the Belgrade Declaration reads, in the part of general conclusions of the OSCE Committee on Political Affairs and Security. (Tanjug)

OSCE PA adopts organ trafficking resolution

In the resolution, the OSCE PA expresses concern over the negative economic and social implications of organized criminal activities on people's lives, as well as over the possible increase of this type of crime, in particular the illicit trade in human organs.

OSCE is especially concerned by abduction and human trafficking for the purpose of the removal of organs, in particular under the conditions of armed conflicts.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also expresses concern about the fate of missing persons from the conflicts that occurred in the former Yugoslavia, including Kosovo, in the 1990s.

The resolution condemns any activity aimed at illicit trade in human organs, and it condemns most strongly the activities of organized criminal groups who by undertaking these activities adversely affect people's lives, their integrity and fundamental human rights, especially in cases where abductions are ethnically, religiously, racially and politically motivated.

In the resolution, the Parliamentary Assembly invites the OSCE participating states to combat determinedly organized criminal groups dealing with illicit trade in human organs and human trafficking for the purpose of the removal of organs, and recommends for this purpose the establishment of closer co-operation, including exchange of information, and more efficient actions by the institutions of the OSCE participating states in combating illicit trade in human organs.

The OSCE PA also recommends that a comprehensive investigation be undertaken of abductions and crimes connected with the removal and sale of human organs allegedly committed in Kosovo during the armed conflicts in the territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1999 and immediately afterwards, and invites full co-operation with UNMIK and EULEX, as well as the relevant national institutions, and in particular the provision of all information, facts and documents on crimes concerning abductions and trade in human organs in the territory of Kosovo.

The organization supports the activities of the OSCE special representative and coordinator for combating trafficking in human beings and proposes that OSCE investigate and record the cases of illicit trade in human organs in the area of OSCE with the aim of preparing a study indicating the scope of this phenomenon

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also welcomed, within the Belgrade Declaration, the arrest of Hague Tribunal indictee Ratko Mladić and his extradition to The Hague Tribunal.

"The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly welcomes the recent arrest by Serbian security services of Ratko Mladić, who has been transferred to The Hague to face long-standing charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes at the Hague Tribunal," it is stated in the Belgrade Declaration.

"The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly commends those who have laboured for years to bring Mladić to justice with the goals of providing comfort to his surviving victims, contributing to regional stability and reconciliation, improving the prospects for European integration, and encouraging further efforts to bring to justice those responsible for atrocities committed during the conflicts in the Western Balkans," the Belgrade Declaration reads, in the part of general conclusions of the OSCE Committee on Political Affairs and Security.