CROATIA ESTABLISHES WORKING BODY TO COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN HUMANS

ZAGREB, Nov 28 (Hina) - A working body in charge of combating trafficking in humans was established in Croatia on Tuesday at a round table organised by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission to Croatia and the International Organisation for Migrations. The body will comprise four task forces - for legislation, law- enforcement, prevention, assistance and protection, the Mission said in a statement. Representatives of the Croatian government and parliament intend to play an active role in the established task forces, it added. OSCE Mission deputy chief Hans-Dieter Steinbach said the issue of trafficking in humans was much more dangerous than illegal immigrations, that it was a modern form of slavery. Even though the extent of the issue in Croatia is unknown, all at today's round table agreed as to the need of immediately drawing up a prevention plan. Attending on behalf of Croatia were Mirjana Feric-Vac, head of a Croatian delegation at the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly, Ingrid Anticevic-Marinovic, chairwoman of parliament's legislation committee, Assistant Justice Minister Lidija Lukina- Karajkovic, representatives of the interior and foreign ministers, non-governmental organisations and embassies. (hina) ha