La Strada International co-organises the OSCE Alliance Conference hybrid side event on the 21st of April with Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW), bringing together research and practice on the application of the non-punishment principle in cases of forced criminality.
From Criminalisation to Protection: Strengthening the Non-Punishment Principle in Cases of Forced Criminality
Bibliotheksaal, Vienna, Austria & online via Zoom
This side event is organised on 21 April between 13:45-14:45 CET Click here to join via zoom
The 26th Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons highlights forced criminality as a growing and under-recognised security blind spot. A central yet insufficiently addressed issue within this context is the inconsistent implementation of the non-punishment principle. Although the principle is recognised in international and regional anti-trafficking frameworks and reflected in OSCE commitments, trafficked persons across the OSCE region continue to be arrested, detained, prosecuted, and convicted for unlawful acts they were compelled to commit. Those most affected include migrants, asylum seekers, children, and individuals in irregular situations.
Speakers will highlight systemic failures in identifying trafficked persons, analyze barriers to applying the non-punishment principle, share lessons from case representation, and offer recommendations for OSCE States. The discussion aims to foster constructive dialogue between frontline actors, state authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
REGISTER HERE FOR THE 26TH CONFERENCE UNTIL 15 APRIL 2026.
Speakers
Moderation: Ms. Suzanne Hoff, International Coordinator La Strada International
- Professor Conny Rijken, Dutch National Rapporteur on Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence against Children, who will reflect on the situation in the Netherlands, based on the new pending legislative
change on non-punishment, and Dutch case law. - Ms. Daisy-May Carty Cowling, Human Trafficking and Forced Labour Programme Officer of GAATW, who will pre-launch new global research on trafficking for forced criminality and the impact on women and adolescents. (online)
- Ms. Kamena Dorling, Director of Policy at Helen Bamber Foundation. She will present findings from a new report examining the criminalisation of trafficking victims in the United Kingdom, drawing on legal casework and
victims testimony. - Ms. Tamara Schmidt, Co-director of LEFÖ-IBF and Ms Michele Mildwater, Director HopeNow, will reflect on practical gaps and challenges related to applying the non-punishment principle in practice in Austria and Denmark.
Click here to join via zoom [Meeting ID: 993 6193 4485 | Passcode: 72805709]