VIENNA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Monday stressed in a statement the importance of the role that the European Union (EU) plays in combating human trafficking and upholding human rights, freedom and dignity for all.

    The statement was jointly issued by OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Eva Biaudet, and the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Janez Lenarcic to mark the EU Anti-Trafficking Day.

    "Fighting trafficking means having zero tolerance towards exploitation, particularly exploitation of women and children," Biaudet said. "If we fail to combat the increased tolerance of exploitation, the effects of the global crisis will be felt in our socio-economic development for decades to come."

    Meanwhile, Lenarcic said that irregular migrants are easy prey for traffickers and unscrupulous, exploitative employers.

    "Marginalized and unprotected, they are vulnerable to the worst in working and living conditions and targets for criminals seeking easy profits," he said.

    They highlighted the great value the OSCE placed on cooperation with the EU in combating human trafficking.

    They stressed that the OSCE provides an excellent platform for cooperation to facilitate dialogues between countries of origin, transit and destination, and thus complement the EU's action in combating human trafficking.