Tatiana Kotlyarenko

Last updated
Tatiana Kotlyarenko
NationalityUnited States
Alma materColumbia University, Brandeis University
Known forAnti-trafficking activism
AwardsThe Last Girl Lifetime Cultural Change Award: The Champion

Tatiana Kotlyarenko is an international expert in human rights, human trafficking and addressing gender-based violence. Her career has been marked by extensive work in policy development, advocacy, and international cooperation to combat human trafficking and promote human rights, including her service as the Adviser on Anti-Trafficking Issues at the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). [1]

Contents

Early life and education

Tatiana Kotlyarenko pursued higher education with a focus on human rights and international relations. Kotlyarenko holds a Bachelor's degree from Brandeis University. In 2007, she graduated with Master's degree in the Human Rights and Economic Development with Honors from Columbia University. Her academic background provided a strong foundation for her subsequent career in human rights and anti-trafficking work, with her master dissertation written on "Supply and Demand Dynamics of Sex Trafficking in Russia.” [1]

Career

Early career

Kotlyarenko began her career working with various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international bodies focused on human rights. After graduation with her masters, she began her internship in the Europe and Central Asia Department at the Human Rights Watch.

Her early work involved direct engagement with victims of human trafficking, providing support and advocacy for their rights. She quickly established herself as a knowledgeable and dedicated professional in the field.

Civil society engagement

Tatiana Kotlyarenko founded and served as the Chief Executive Director (ED/CEO) of the Enslavement Prevention Alliance – West Africa (EPAWA) in Ghana. Within its first three months, EPAWA launched a national anti-human trafficking campaign, the Red Card campaign, in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, and Short Message Service (SMS) project across the country. [2] Additionally, EPAWA was instrumental in rescuing 60 girls from a child brothel. [3] In her role as ED, Kotlyarenko developed strong relationships with international and local media, as well as development partners, to raise awareness, enhance visibility, and provide assistance to vulnerable populations. [4] [5] [6]

Role at OSCE/ODIHR

In her role at OSCE/ODIHR, Tatiana Kotlyarenko serves as the Adviser on Anti-Trafficking Issues. Since her appointment in 2016, she has been instrumental in shaping policies and programs aimed at preventing human trafficking and supporting victims. Her work involves collaborating with member states, NGOs, and other international organizations to develop comprehensive strategies and best practices for combating trafficking in persons. [7]

Kotlyarenko's contributions include the development of the National Referral Mechanism Handbook, [8] which provides practical guidance for protecting the rights of trafficked persons. [9] [7] The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) has been - with her guidance - implemented across the OSCE region. [10] [11] [12] [13] The NRM Handbook was under her guidance translated to Ukrainian and Russian. [9]

She has also played a key role in launching the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC), a body that advises ODIHR on anti-trafficking policies and includes survivors from across the OSCE region (OSCE). [14]

During COVID-19 pandemic, she has produced a publication on Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic [15] [16] co-published by OSCE/ODIHR [17] and UN Women. [18] [19] [20]

Together with the team of experts from ISTAC, Kotlyarenko developed and delivered numerous trainings on "Addressing human trafficking risks in light of military attack on Ukraine: Training for civil society and frontline responders", based on the NRM principles, and organized within the ODIHR's Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in Ukraine project framework. [21]

Advocacy and public speaking

Beyond her work at OSCE/ODIHR, Kotlyarenko is a recognized advocate for human rights and anti-trafficking measures. She frequently speaks at international conferences, seminars, and workshops, sharing her expertise and insights on effective strategies to combat trafficking. Notably, she has addressed issues such as sexual violence and human trafficking in armed conflict at events like the UN General Assembly, numerous OSCE conferences, and provided testimony at a US Congressional hearing on Protecting Ukrainian Refugees from Trafficking. [22] [23]

Additionally, she has taken part in a CNN international documentary filmed in Cambodia: “Innocence for Sale”, which was released in 2010. [24] [25]

In response to the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which particularly affects women and children, Tatiana Kotlyarenko has been conducting rapid assessment missions and offering recommendations to various countries on preventing and addressing the trafficking of Ukrainian women and children. [26] Additionally, in her personal capacity, she has assisted with the response to humanitarian crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine by organizing and supporting evacuations and other activities aimed at protecting women and children.

Following the unprecedented Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Kotlyarenko participated in rapid response and on-site assessment missions as an international expert. [27] Since early 2024, she has been actively involved in raising awareness about the sexual and gender-based violence in the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel. [28] [29]

Publications and research

Tatiana Kotlyarenko has authored and contributed to numerous publications on human trafficking and human rights. Her research focuses on the intersection of trafficking, migration, and human rights, offering critical analysis and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners. [30]

Awards and recognition

Throughout her career, Kotlyarenko has received several awards and commendations for her work in human rights and anti-trafficking. Her dedication and impact in the field have been acknowledged by various organizations and institutions.

Among others, in 2022 she has received Champion title and the Last Girl Award. [31]

Kotlyarenko is also a member of the 100 Women of Davos [32] and BMW Responsible Leaders. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe</span> Security-oriented intergovernmental organization

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is a regional security-oriented intergovernmental organization comprising member states in Europe, North America, and Asia. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, the promotion of human rights, freedom of the press, and free and fair elections. It employs around 3,460 people, mostly in its field operations but also in its secretariat in Vienna, Austria, and its institutions. It has observer status at the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Strada International Association</span> Organisation combatting the trafficking of persons in Europe.

La Strada International (LSI) is an international NGO network addressing the trafficking of persons in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trafficking of children</span> Form of human trafficking

Trafficking of children is a form of human trafficking and is defined by the United Nations as the "recruitment, transportation, harboring, and/or receipt" kidnapping of a child for the purpose of slavery, forced labour, and exploitation. This definition is substantially wider than the same document's definition of "trafficking in persons". Children may also be trafficked for adoption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sex trafficking</span> Trade of sexual slaves

Sex trafficking is human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation. It has been called a form of modern slavery because of the way victims are forced into sexual acts non-consensually, in a form of sexual slavery. Perpetrators of the crime are called sex traffickers or pimps—people who manipulate victims to engage in various forms of commercial sex with paying customers. Sex traffickers use force, fraud, and coercion as they recruit, transport, and provide their victims as prostitutes. Sometimes victims are brought into a situation of dependency on their trafficker(s), financially or emotionally. Every aspect of sex trafficking is considered a crime, from acquisition to transportation and exploitation of victims. This includes any sexual exploitation of adults or minors, including child sex tourism (CST) and domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST).

Turkey is a top destination for victims of human trafficking, according to a report produced by the UNDOC. Source countries for identified victims of trafficking in 2008 included Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Romania, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Indonesia, and Morocco. Notably, Russian organized crime syndicates engage in trafficking of women for prostitution, and East European women have turned up in many European countries, including Turkey. U.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons placed the country in "Tier 2" in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human trafficking in Ukraine</span>

Ukraine is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked transnationally for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Human trafficking</span> Trade of humans for exploitation

Human trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labour, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation.

The Fighting Discrimination Program of Human Rights First focuses on the violence known as hate crimes or bias crimes. Because equality is a cornerstone of human rights protection, discrimination in all its forms is a violation of human rights. Discrimination can take the form of violence generated by prejudice and hatred founded upon a person's race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexual orientation, gender, disability, age or other such factors. Through the Fighting Discrimination Program, Human Rights First seeks to combat discrimination by reversing the tide of antisemitic, anti-immigrant, and anti-Muslim violence and reducing other bias crime in North America, Europe, and the Russian Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Child trafficking in India</span>

India has a very high volume of child trafficking. As many as one child disappears every eight minutes, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. In some cases, children are taken from their homes to be bought and sold in the market. In other cases, children are tricked into the hands of traffickers by being presented an opportunity for a job, when in reality, upon arrival they become enslaved. In India, there are many children trafficked for various reasons such as labor, begging, and sexual exploitation. Because of the nature of this crime, it is hard to track; due to the poor enforcement of laws, it is difficult to prevent. As such, there are only vague estimates of figures regarding the issue. India is a prime area for child trafficking to occur, as many of those trafficked are from, travel through or destined to go to India. Though most of the trafficking occurs within the country, there is also a significant number of children trafficked from Nepal and Bangladesh. There are many different causes that lead to child trafficking, with the primary reasons being poverty, weak law enforcement, and a lack of good quality public education. The traffickers that take advantage of children can be from another area in India, or could even know the child personally. Children who return home after being trafficked often face shame in their communities, rather than being welcomed home.

The United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) is a multi-stakeholder initiative providing global access to expertise, knowledge and innovative partnerships to combat human trafficking.

Albania is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically forced prostitution and forced labor, including the forced begging of children. Albanian victims are subjected to conditions of forced labor and sex trafficking within Albania and Italy, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Western Europe. Approximately half of the victims referred for care within the country in 2009 were Albanian; these were primarily women and girls subjected to conditions of forced prostitution in hotels and private residences in Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, and Vlora. Children were primarily exploited for begging and other forms of forced labor. There is evidence that Albanian men have been subjected to conditions of forced labor in the agricultural sector of Greece and other neighboring countries.

Transnational efforts to prevent human trafficking are being made to prevent human trafficking in specific countries and around the world.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is primarily a source for Bosnian women and girls who are subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically forced prostitution within the country, though it is also a destination and transit country for foreign women and girls in forced prostitution in Bosnia and Western Europe. There were four identified victims from Serbia in 2009. Most trafficked women entered the country through Serbia or Montenegro. There were reports that some girls, particularly Roma, were trafficked, using forced marriage, for the purpose of involuntary domestic servitude, and that Roma boys and girls were subjected to forced begging by organized groups. There was one case involving Bosnian males recruited for labor and subjected to coercive conditions in Azerbaijan in 2009. NGO's report that traffickers frequently use intermediaries to bring clients to private apartments, motels, and gas stations where victims are held.

The U.S. State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons placed Poland in Tier 2 in 2023. Below is the full copy of a webpage section relating to Poland in a report published by the Bureau of Public Affairs of the United States Department of State, entitled "Country Narratives: Countries N Through Z: Trafficking in Persons Report 2023", which is in the public domain.

Poland is a source and destination country for men and women subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically conditions of forced labor and for women and children in forced prostitution. Men and women from Poland are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Italy and Sweden. Women and children from Poland are trafficked for forced prostitution within Poland and also in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Sweden. Women and children from Moldova, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Belarus, and Russia are trafficked to Poland for forced prostitution. Men and women from Bangladesh, China, and the Philippines are found in conditions of forced labor in Poland. Men and women from Thailand, Nigeria, Iraq, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Mongolia, Vietnam, Turkey, Djibouti, and Uganda are found in conditions of forced labor, including forced begging and debt bondage, and also forced prostitution in Poland.

Greece is a transit, source and destination country for women and children who are subjected to human trafficking, specifically forced prostitution and conditions of forced labor for men, women, and children. Female sex trafficking victims originate primarily in Eastern Europe and former Soviet bloc countries. Traffickers use physical, emotional, and sexual abuse for coercion. Greece's European Union membership, coupled with a shared border with Turkey, means the country sees massive flows of illegal immigrants looking to enter the EU. Traffickers also use Greece not only as a destination but also as transit stop and also as a source country where even Greek women are prostituted on the way to Western Europe.

Montenegro is a transit, source, and destination country for men, women, and girls who are subjected to trafficking in persons, specifically conditions of forced prostitution and forced labor. Trafficking victims are mostly females from Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Montenegro, who migrate or are smuggled through the country en route to other destinations and subjected to conditions of forced prostitution in Montenegro. Roma children are coerced into organized street begging in the country. According to NGOs and international experts, mainly foreign men and boys are subjected to forced labor in Montenegro's growing construction industry. Montenegrin women and girls are subjected to forced prostitution within the country and in other Balkan countries; anecdotal reports indicate at least one Montenegrin girl was subjected to conditions of forced prostitution in Serbia during the reporting period. Anecdotal reports in 2009 also indicated some women and girls from Serbia and other countries in this region are subjected to conditions of forced prostitution in Montenegro. Criminal networks operating in Montenegro's expanding tourism industry are reportedly engaged in trafficking for the purpose forced prostitution. According to the Human Rights Commissioner for the Council of Europe, several sources question the Montenegrin government's official stance that Montenegro does not have a considerable trafficking problem.

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Kotlyarenko may refer to:

References

  1. 1 2 3 "International Rescue Committee ⋮ Events: "Remarks on Transnational Cooperation in Combating HT within the EU": Speakers: Tatiana Kotlyarenko". events.rescue.org. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  2. ↑ GNA (2012-03-31). "EPAWA to expand SMS project on human trafficking in four regions". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  3. ↑ Sertich, Manda; Heemskerk, Marijn (2010). Ghana's Human Trafficking Act: Successes and Shortcomings in Six Years of Implementation (PDF) (ed. 1 ed.). online: Inter-American Court for Human Rights. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  4. ↑ World Bank (2011-10-13). "Ghanaian Media and Civil Society Step Up Debate on Modern-Day Slavery". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  5. ↑ United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2009-12-04). "Give Them Shelter". The New Humanitarian.
  6. ↑ "UNHCR Web Archive: "Côte d'Ivoire: Give them shelter"". webarchive.archive.unhcr.org. 2009-12-04. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  7. 1 2 "Launch of the National Referral Mechanism Handbook. Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: A Practical Handbook". www.osce.org. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  8. ↑ OSCE/ODIHR; Kotlyarenko, Tatiana (2022). National Referral Mechanism Handbook (PDF) (2nd ed.). OSCE/ODIHR. ISBN   9788366690493 . Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  9. 1 2 "National Referral Mechanisms - Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: A Practical Handbook – Second Edition". www.osce.org. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  10. ↑ European Freedom Network e.V. (2023-05-09). NATIONAL REFERRAL MECHANISM SYSTEMS IN EUROPE: EXPLORING CHRISTIAN ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANISATIONS EXPERIENCES (PDF). European Freedom Network e.V.
  11. ↑ "Launch of the National Referral Mechanism Handbook. Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: A Practical Handbook". Stop Human Trafficking | Pray for Trafficked Persons. 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  12. ↑ "National Referral Mechanisms in the Assistance of Victims of | IOM Ireland". ireland.iom.int. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  13. ↑ Force, Trafficking in America Task (2022-01-18). "Elam Featured on Cover of National Referral Mechanism Handbook" . Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  14. ↑ "International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council: Official Launch Event". www.osce.org. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  15. ↑ Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic. OSCE/ODIHR, UN Women. 2020.
  16. ↑ "Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic". Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. 2020. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  17. ↑ "Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic". www.osce.org. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  18. ↑ "Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic". www.osce.org. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  19. ↑ "Addressing emerging human trafficking trends and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic". UN Women – Headquarters. 2022-07-25. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  20. ↑ "Addressing Emerging Human Trafficking Trends and Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic | RESPECT". respect.international. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  21. ↑ "Addressing human trafficking risks in light of military attack on Ukraine: Training for civil society and frontline responders". www.osce.org. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  22. ↑ "Protecting Ukrainian Refugees from Human Trafficking to Be Discussed at Helsinki Commission Hearing – CSCE". 2022-01-04. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  23. ↑ "Protecting Ukrainian Refugees from Human Trafficking – CSCE". 2023-07-04. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  24. ↑ Coorlim, Leif (2010-01-26), Innocence for Sale (Documentary), Aaron Cohen, Tatiana Kotlyarenko, Cable News Network (CNN), retrieved 2024-05-28
  25. ↑ "Man goes undercover to combat child sex slavery - CNN.com". www.cnn.com. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  26. ↑ Helsinki Commission (2022-04-07). Protecting Ukrainian Refugees from Human Trafficking . Retrieved 2024-05-28– via YouTube.
  27. ↑ Curiel, Ilana (2023-12-19). "'A museum of horrors': A sexual violence expert arrives in Israel to witness atrocities firsthand". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  28. ↑ Avitan Cohen, Shirit (2024-01-19). "Former Israeli Miss World slams women's groups for 'silence' in wake of Hamas assault". www.israelhayom.com. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  29. ↑ The Female Quotient (2024-01-17). Women at the Forefront of the Global Peace and Security Agenda . Retrieved 2024-05-28– via YouTube.
  30. ↑ "European Security Webinar – Trafficking in Human Beings: Trends from the South, from the East, and within the EU | College of Europe". www2.coleurope.eu. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  31. ↑ Asia Society (2022-10-10). "The Last Girl Awards" . Retrieved 2024-05-28.
  32. ↑ "Conference – Activate: Tatiana Kotliarenko's bio" . Retrieved 2024-05-28.
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