OVER HALF OF THE INTERNATIONAL SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS RESIGN, CLAIMING LACK OF LEADERSHIP, SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AND CONTRACTUAL ABUSE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 12, 2024
Warsaw, Poland | April 12, 2024
A group of twelve human trafficking survivors have resigned in protest from the International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC), alleging a range of misconduct including failure to compensate members, sexual misconduct and more. ISTAC is part of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The former members, which include leading, international advocates on behalf of survivors of trafficking, say the organization has floundered without proper leadership, failed to implement trauma-informed practices and policies and failed to engage member states in anti-trafficking policy implementation.
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“The core mission of ISTAC is to be a shining beacon of hope and light for all survivors and victims, and a model for survivor engagement and empowerment worldwide. None of the aforementioned tasks and goals have been fulfilled by the second cohort of ISTAC and members have become only photos on a website. It’s a shame and waste of intellectual and personal perspective that could be life-changing for so many worldwide,” the resigning ISTAC members said in a statement of solidarity. |
ISTAC is tasked with providing advice, guidance and recommendations to ODIHR, and through ODIHR to the OSCE participating States, on anti-trafficking legislation, policies, practices and training. ISTAC work is supposed to reflect the importance of including and promoting the voices of people with the lived experience of human trafficking in all policymaking matters related to combatting this crime.
In a statement defending the rights and fair treatment of survivors and victims around the world, twelve ISTAC members sent a group letter of resignation that was tendered on March 27, 2024. The letter overviews ten core reasons for their abrupt resignations. Read the full letter here:
In a statement defending the rights and fair treatment of survivors and victims around the world, twelve ISTAC members sent a group letter of resignation that was tendered on March 27, 2024. The letter overviews ten core reasons for their abrupt resignations. Read the full letter here:
March 27, 2024
Tea Jaliashvili
First Deputy Director OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ODIHR
Miodowa 10 | 00-251 Warsaw
Dear Tea:
We the undersigned survivor leaders and members of the OSCE/ODIHR International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (“ISTAC” or Council) do hereby tender our collective resignation. During the first cohort, ISTAC accomplished amazing outcomes such as engaging with the OSCE and the governments of OSCE participating states in developing anti trafficking legislation and training. In addition, ISTAC members have been speakers for G-20 events and consulted on ICAT publications. They have also been speakers for United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) events and speakers and contributors to UN Women publications. ISTAC members have been consulted on publications for NGO’s and the WHO and developed vital resources for the anti-trafficking movement.
In addition, ISTAC has been recognized by the Department of State and mentioned in the 2022 and 2023 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report as a good practice model to be replicated. ISTAC members have been quoted by the Department of State in the 2022 and 20233 TIP Report: “Our narrative must not merely be inspiring, but the lessons that lie within them must be turned into solutions.” - Honorable Shandra Woworuntu, Chair of the OSCE International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council, CEO of Mentari Human Trafficking Survivor Empowerment Program - TIP Report Y2022.
“Male survivors of human trafficking have historically been silent due to the shame imbued by society’s definition of masculinity. The time has come to break free of that stereotype and acknowledge that our pain matters, we define our lives, and we are men and victims too.” Jerome Elam, Elected Vice Chair of the second cohort of the OSCE International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council, and CEO of Trafficking in America Task Force. TIP Report Y2023.
ISTAC is tasked with providing advice, guidance and recommendations to ODIHR, and through ODIHR to the OSCE participating States, on anti-trafficking legislation, policies, practices and training. The Council's work is supposed to reflect the importance of including and promoting the voices of people with the lived experience of human trafficking in all policymaking matters related to combatting this crime. Most of all, the core mission of ISTAC is to be a shining beacon of hope and light for all survivors and victims and a model for survivor engagement and empowerment worldwide. None of the aforementioned tasks and goals have been fulfilled by the second cohort of ISTAC and members have become only photos on a website.
The reasons for our resignations are as follows:
1.) ISTAC has languished since the departure of Tatiana Kotlyarenko, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Anti-Trafficking Adviser, Human Rights Department. There has been no tangible path forward for ISTAC to fulfill its mission as established and discussed by OSCE/ODIHR.
2.) The contracts for ISTAC members expired in December 2023. Compensation for survivor leaders is integral to a trauma informed approach and for three months OSCE/ODIHR has not put forth a solid plan for funding our contracts.
3.) The lack of employment of trauma-informed practices by ODIHR and within ISTAC has been patently obvious. This has caused undue stress and renewed trauma among ISTAC members. Despite repeated requests to address this issue, nothing has been done.
4.) The environment within ISTAC has degraded into one of mistrust and open animosity among its members. OSCE/ODIHR has refused to take action using trauma informed practices to change this situation.
5.) Despite appointing an interim OSCE/ODIHR Adviser on Anti Trafficking Issues there has been no guidance nor plan shared for the future of ISTAC.
6.) Numerous attempts were made to arrange a meeting to forestall the resignation of the undersigned members and discuss concerns about leadership, compensation and ISTAC engagement by participating states. No response was given to these requests and ISTAC members have been given the impression that they are unsupported and being disrespected.
7.) The majority of ISTAC members perceive they have become only faces on a website. There have been no attempts to comprehensively engage members of ISTAC and allow the utilization of their lived experience and talents by participating states.
8.) Leadership issues continue to plague ISTAC and negatively impact the morale of its members. Despite numerous requests and several meetings OSCE/ODIHR refuses to address this issue.
9.) For months, OSCE/ODIHR has continuously failed to implement safeguarding procedures during a sexual misconduct investigation impacting a number of female members of ISTAC despite multiple requests to do so.
10.) Following the departure of Ms. Kotlyarenko, who was instrumental in launching and running the first and second cohort, OSCE/ODIHR has actively worked to undermine ISTAC. Several examples include, the election of the 2nd Vice Chair which was consistently delayed and only addressed due to the persistence and demand for action by a group of ISTAC members. OSCE/ODIHR and ISTAC leadership also failed to effectively communicate with ISTAC members for months creating undue anxiety and trauma.
This resignation is due to the failure of OSCE/ODIHR to adequately address the aforementioned concerns. There has also been a severe lack of planning and support of the members of ISTAC by OSCE/ODIHR during the second cohort, in particular with regards to the funding of contracts and proposed engagement of ISTAC by OSCE participating states.
We therefore tender our resignations with a heartfelt regret that the value of survivor leadership and implementation of trauma informed practices were not given a higher regard by OSCE/ODIHR.
Respectfully,
Jerome Elam
Regina Lee Jones
Tanya Gould
Alisa Gbiorczyk
Zita Cabais
Angelina Kurdenok
Member requested confidentiality
Dr. Suamhirs Piraino-Guzman
Member requested confidentiality
Teresa Forliti
Kelly Dore
Kelly Tallon Franklin
EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the former members of the ISTAC are available to speak on the topic of the resignation. To schedule an interview, please refer to Media Contact.
Tea Jaliashvili
First Deputy Director OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ODIHR
Miodowa 10 | 00-251 Warsaw
Dear Tea:
We the undersigned survivor leaders and members of the OSCE/ODIHR International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (“ISTAC” or Council) do hereby tender our collective resignation. During the first cohort, ISTAC accomplished amazing outcomes such as engaging with the OSCE and the governments of OSCE participating states in developing anti trafficking legislation and training. In addition, ISTAC members have been speakers for G-20 events and consulted on ICAT publications. They have also been speakers for United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) events and speakers and contributors to UN Women publications. ISTAC members have been consulted on publications for NGO’s and the WHO and developed vital resources for the anti-trafficking movement.
In addition, ISTAC has been recognized by the Department of State and mentioned in the 2022 and 2023 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report as a good practice model to be replicated. ISTAC members have been quoted by the Department of State in the 2022 and 20233 TIP Report: “Our narrative must not merely be inspiring, but the lessons that lie within them must be turned into solutions.” - Honorable Shandra Woworuntu, Chair of the OSCE International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council, CEO of Mentari Human Trafficking Survivor Empowerment Program - TIP Report Y2022.
“Male survivors of human trafficking have historically been silent due to the shame imbued by society’s definition of masculinity. The time has come to break free of that stereotype and acknowledge that our pain matters, we define our lives, and we are men and victims too.” Jerome Elam, Elected Vice Chair of the second cohort of the OSCE International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council, and CEO of Trafficking in America Task Force. TIP Report Y2023.
ISTAC is tasked with providing advice, guidance and recommendations to ODIHR, and through ODIHR to the OSCE participating States, on anti-trafficking legislation, policies, practices and training. The Council's work is supposed to reflect the importance of including and promoting the voices of people with the lived experience of human trafficking in all policymaking matters related to combatting this crime. Most of all, the core mission of ISTAC is to be a shining beacon of hope and light for all survivors and victims and a model for survivor engagement and empowerment worldwide. None of the aforementioned tasks and goals have been fulfilled by the second cohort of ISTAC and members have become only photos on a website.
The reasons for our resignations are as follows:
1.) ISTAC has languished since the departure of Tatiana Kotlyarenko, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Anti-Trafficking Adviser, Human Rights Department. There has been no tangible path forward for ISTAC to fulfill its mission as established and discussed by OSCE/ODIHR.
2.) The contracts for ISTAC members expired in December 2023. Compensation for survivor leaders is integral to a trauma informed approach and for three months OSCE/ODIHR has not put forth a solid plan for funding our contracts.
3.) The lack of employment of trauma-informed practices by ODIHR and within ISTAC has been patently obvious. This has caused undue stress and renewed trauma among ISTAC members. Despite repeated requests to address this issue, nothing has been done.
4.) The environment within ISTAC has degraded into one of mistrust and open animosity among its members. OSCE/ODIHR has refused to take action using trauma informed practices to change this situation.
5.) Despite appointing an interim OSCE/ODIHR Adviser on Anti Trafficking Issues there has been no guidance nor plan shared for the future of ISTAC.
6.) Numerous attempts were made to arrange a meeting to forestall the resignation of the undersigned members and discuss concerns about leadership, compensation and ISTAC engagement by participating states. No response was given to these requests and ISTAC members have been given the impression that they are unsupported and being disrespected.
7.) The majority of ISTAC members perceive they have become only faces on a website. There have been no attempts to comprehensively engage members of ISTAC and allow the utilization of their lived experience and talents by participating states.
8.) Leadership issues continue to plague ISTAC and negatively impact the morale of its members. Despite numerous requests and several meetings OSCE/ODIHR refuses to address this issue.
9.) For months, OSCE/ODIHR has continuously failed to implement safeguarding procedures during a sexual misconduct investigation impacting a number of female members of ISTAC despite multiple requests to do so.
10.) Following the departure of Ms. Kotlyarenko, who was instrumental in launching and running the first and second cohort, OSCE/ODIHR has actively worked to undermine ISTAC. Several examples include, the election of the 2nd Vice Chair which was consistently delayed and only addressed due to the persistence and demand for action by a group of ISTAC members. OSCE/ODIHR and ISTAC leadership also failed to effectively communicate with ISTAC members for months creating undue anxiety and trauma.
This resignation is due to the failure of OSCE/ODIHR to adequately address the aforementioned concerns. There has also been a severe lack of planning and support of the members of ISTAC by OSCE/ODIHR during the second cohort, in particular with regards to the funding of contracts and proposed engagement of ISTAC by OSCE participating states.
We therefore tender our resignations with a heartfelt regret that the value of survivor leadership and implementation of trauma informed practices were not given a higher regard by OSCE/ODIHR.
Respectfully,
Jerome Elam
Regina Lee Jones
Tanya Gould
Alisa Gbiorczyk
Zita Cabais
Angelina Kurdenok
Member requested confidentiality
Dr. Suamhirs Piraino-Guzman
Member requested confidentiality
Teresa Forliti
Kelly Dore
Kelly Tallon Franklin
EDITOR’S NOTE: Some of the former members of the ISTAC are available to speak on the topic of the resignation. To schedule an interview, please refer to Media Contact.
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Jerome Elam
Founder, TAITF/ Former OSCE/ODIHR, ISTAC 1st cohort Member and 2nd cohort Vice Chair
jerome@traffickinginamericataskforce.org
+1 (332) 244-1045
Founder, TAITF/ Former OSCE/ODIHR, ISTAC 1st cohort Member and 2nd cohort Vice Chair
jerome@traffickinginamericataskforce.org
+1 (332) 244-1045