OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey met state actors and NGOs involved in the management of the crisis caused by the Russian–Ukrainian war.
On 26 April 2022, representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) had a working lunch with Dr. Mátyás Hegyaljai, National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, and Deputy State Secretary for EU and International Affairs. The delegation visited the humanitarian transit point in Budapest (the so-called BOK Hall) and also held talks with leaders of Catholic Caritas.
In the morning of 27 April, the delegation was welcomed by Police Brigadier General József Farkas, Chief of the Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County Police Headquarters. Afterwards, in Záhony and Beregsurány, they observed the border traffic in practice, including the entry by car, by bus or on foot and the related procedures. In Beregsurány, the coordinator of the Hungarian Charity Service of the Order of Malta presented the operation of the helping point to the OSCE delegation.
In the course of the two-day visit, the guests were given a comprehensive picture of Hungary’s fight against human trafficking in the context of the crisis in Ukraine. They got an insight into the process of border crossing, the assistance services for refugees, the specific prevention activities against trafficking, as well as the work of the Police in criminal matters at local and national level.
Mr. Richey spoke highly of the efforts of the Hungarian government, the Police, local municipalities and the civil society. He particularly appreciated the child-friendly environment at the Záhony railway border crossing, the plain language of the anti-trafficking information materials developed by the Ministry of Interior and the Prime Minister's Office, and the best practice for the registration of volunteer drivers at the helping point.