[women-rights] Finnish parliamentarian Eva Biaudet appointed OSCE special representative on combating human trafficking

VIENNA, 19 October 2006 -- Eva Biaudet, a Finnish Member of Parliament,
has been appointed today as the OSCE Special Representative on Combating
Trafficking in Human Beings.

Ms Biaudet, who is a former Finnish Minister of Health and Social
Services, will assist the 56 OSCE participating States in implementing the
OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, adopted at the
December 2003 Maastricht Ministerial Council.

The Action Plan provides for human rights-based responses to prevent
trafficking, protecting the rights of trafficked persons and bringing
perpetrators to justice in the OSCE region. A key part of Ms Biaudet's
work will be to promote co-operation with governments, civil society and
international organizations in the fight against trafficking and to raise
the public and political profile of the combat against trafficking in
human beings.

During her tenure as minister, Ms Biaudet launched a Nordic-Baltic
campaign against trafficking and was strongly engaged in raising awareness
and fostering public debate on the problem. As a Member of Parliament, she
has helped shape Finnish legislation on trafficking. She has also
participated for many years in the human rights work of non-governmental
organizations, especially in the field of child protection, gender and
refugees.

OSCE Press release