Program

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Natural disasters frequently turn into human tragedies, such as family separations. The Haiti earthquake of January 12, was followed by emotive worldwide solidarity actions. But this can not outshine extremely serious incidents, like the fact that the human trafficking mafias could take advantage of the catastrophe to get children off the island.

Last January, more than seventy people from Haiti arrived at Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia), via Lima. Visa problems stopped them on their way to Brazil or Argentina. Bolivian Police suspicions opened a deep investigation and proved that the 25 Haitian children in the group were not accompanied by their relatives. On February, their families in Haiti started to look for them.

The Bolivian Attorney General’s Office requested the collaboration of the Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of the Bolivia Forensic Research Institute, which applied the DNA-Prokids action protocol. The genetic research results were unquestionable: eight parents (seven mothers and a father) looking for their 13 children have recovered them, thanks to the DNA identification (two mothers looked for two children each, a mother looked for three children, four mothers looked for a child each, a father looked for two children).

Up to 12 children are still unidentified, and they will remain in Bolivia until they are identified or handed over the Haitian Government.

Police and judicial investigation to clear up the case is continuing in Bolivia.

DNA-Prokids protocol

To help solving cases like this, on suspicion of human trafficking, the University of Granada created DNA-Prokids program in 2004.  In 2010, the program is already working in 15 countries in the world, and 250 positive identifications have contributed to family reunifications, thanks to an extremely efficient instrument against child trafficking: DNA analysis.

At present, the University of Granada and the University of North Texas are closely working in the project, thanks to private donations in USA (Life Technologies) and in Spain (Santander/F.M. Botin, BBVA and CajaGRANADA); and the support from the Spanish Government (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and from different countries’ authorities.

DNA-Prokids has created a rigorous action protocol to identify children found outside their homes and relatives of missing children.

More information about DNA-Prokids: prokids@ugr.es / www.dna-prokids.org

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Figures are impressive and, at the same time, shameful for the civilized world of 21st century: according to data from the United Nations through the UN.GIFT programme managed by UNODC/UNDD (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), 161 countries are reported to be affected by human trafficking by being a source, transit and/or destination country. The majority of trafficking victims are between 18 and 24 years of age but an estimated of 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. During the time they are victims of trafficking the 95% experience physical or sexual violence, the 79% are trafficked for sexual exploitation and the 18% are trafficked for forced labour.

A so serious and complex problem, a so big bussiness which next year could become one of the most lucrative crime in the world (ahead of drug or weapon traffic) requires new instruments, but specially needs effective measures to combat and deter it, to achieve its final eradication. Being aware of the problem, the University of Granada created an international project for genetic identification of missing children and their families in 2004, called DNA-Prokids. The goal was to help countries to fight more effectively against human trafficking.

Program:

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REGISTRATION
Secretaría de los Cursos de Verano: Calle Donoso Cortés, 63, planta baja.
28015 Madrid. Tel.: 913946480-913946481-913948408. Fax: 913948407.
cursvera@rect.ucm.es

In their Newsletter, they covered the Forum on “DNA-PROKIDS:USING DNA TO HELP FIGHT CHILD-TRAFFICKING” which was held on January in Manila.

On February 8, 2010, her parents came to the shelter to find her daughter. The officers of Pakkred Babies’ Home sent the girl and the parents to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Police Hospital, Royal Thai Police, in Bangkok Thailand (www.ifm.go.th). Royal Thai Police participates in the DNA - Prokids program, (www.dna-prokids.org) initiative of the University of Granada, Spain and the University of North Texas, USA.

This initiative pushes for the use of DNA testing in the fight against all forms of child trafficking and seeks to establish an international network of forensic DNA laboratories that could share information, scientific expertise and resources.

The Royal Thai police used DNA profiling protocol, created by DNA Prokids. Using DNA, they reunited the girl to their parents.

DNA-Prokids gets its first positive result in Thailand, after its recent introduction in this country. The case adds to 230 children already reunited in Guatemala. Mexico, Honduras, Philippines, Sri Lanka, etc.

Dr. Arthur Eisenberg, a professor at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, is a collaborator in DNA-ProKids, an international humanitarian project that reunites trafficked children with their families.

DNA samples taken from children are entered into a database and compared with DNA from parents who reported their children missing.

In the last year, the project’s creators have worked to establish databases in countries with high rates of trafficking, such as Guatemala, Thailand and the Philippines. Now they’re rushing to deploy thousands of DNA collection kits to Haiti.

Human-rights groups and the U.S. government have been sounding alarms about the potential for trafficking, and concerns were heightened even more last week when 10 Americans were arrested on suspicion of trying to take 33 children out of Haiti without the proper documents.

Officials worry that children could wind up in forced prostitution rings or sweatshops.

“You see how many tens of thousands of children are on the street,” said Eisenberg, who is co-director of UNT’s Center for Human Identification. “You see this fervor to get them adopted out. In the meantime, parents don’t know where their children are. Children don’t know where their parents are. It is a rich source of trafficking victims.”

In the trenches

Eisenberg was in the Philippines when the 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit Jan. 12, flattening buildings and killing more than 200,000 Haitians.

For years, he has traveled the world, helping other countries improve their DNA technology. Joining him in the Philippines was Dr. Jose Lorente, a longtime friend and professor at the University of Granada-Spain, with whom Eisenberg is developing ProKids.

Lorente has said the sight of children wandering streets alone in cities worldwide inspired him to start the project. He wondered where their families were. He also realized that without a way to identify them, it was impossible to guide them home.

“A baby doesn’t know who they are,” Eisenberg said. “Half of these kids working in sweatshops don’t know where they came from.”

Through the Haitian ambassador to Spain, Lorente offered the use of the ProKids system to reunite children with their parents amid the inevitable flood of adoptions.

With so many bodies still unidentified, it is hard to determine whose parents are alive or dead, Eisenberg said.

“If children are going to be adopted out rapidly, let’s make sure we have their DNA profiles in the event that the parents are alive,” Eisenberg said. “Although it may sound like the greatest thing for them to be sent to the Unites States … there are some parents who want their children back.”

ProKids is scrambling to get an initial supply of 5,000 to 6,000 DNA collection kits to Haiti. Once they arrive, people — possibly United Nations representatives — must be trained to take the samples. DNA can be collected through a finger prick. Workers in Haiti will take them by swabbing the inside of children’s cheeks.

“We’re trying to make the process as simple as humanly possible,” he said.

Global vision

ProKids’ efforts in Haiti are a response to a catastrophic event. But the project’s creators envision a vast international database protecting the estimated 600,000 to 800,000 people trafficked across international borders each year.

Besides being made to work in sweatshops and forced into prostitution, some are forced to have organs removed for sale on the black market. But many are also sold into illegal adoptions, which is where Eisenberg said ProKids might initially have the greatest impact.

A 2007-08 pilot program at a Guatemalan adoption center determined that 46 children were dropped off illegally by someone who was not a blood relative. Kidnapped children, officials believed, were being sold to the adoption center, which, in turn, was selling them for adoption, usually to Americans. Using DNA testing, about two dozen of those children were returned to their families.

Since the pilot study, more than 200 children have been identified, ProKids’ Web site states.

What’s next

Much work remains, Eisenberg said. The lab at UNT will process a significant number of the Haitian DNA samples, but as the project expands, partner labs in other countries will be needed.

Also, DNA collection tends to raise privacy concerns. Eisenberg said the ProKids database only matches the DNA profile with a bar code number. Personal information will be collected in separate databases in each country.

The sheer range of cultural traits and religious beliefs is a challenge. DNA samples, for example, cannot be collected orally in some countries because it is considered offensive to put something in another person’s mouth.

Such identifications can also lead to complicated decisions. Returning children found working in sweatshops to their families seems clear-cut. But what about if an unknowing couple adopts a child and, years later, it’s determined that the child had been kidnapped and sold to the adoption center?

Those are questions for governments and international policies to answer, Eisenberg said.

“We are not naive to think we’re ever going to stop trafficking,” he said. “But once you start making these identifications, you are able to provide law enforcement with investigative leads on how children end up in these situations.”

Resource: Star-Telegram: http://www.star-telegram.com/metro_news/story/1952092.html

La Secrétaire d’État de coopération internationale du gouvernement espagnol, Soraya Rodríguez, a présenté ce matin un nouveau programme de coopération qui vise à pallier les conséquences de la tragédie humaine en Haïti.

Baptisé « DNA-Prokids avec Haïti », le projet permettra de prélever jusqu’à 6 000 échantillons de données génétiques de parents ayant déclaré la disparition d’enfants, ou de membres de leur famille naturelle, et d’enfants déclarés sans famille ou avec un lien de parenté douteux.  Il s’agit de rendre difficile la traite des mineurs et d’utiliser cette identification pour restituer les victimes à leurs familles desquelles ils ont été séparés après le séisme qui a ravagé la capitale haïtienne. Par ailleurs, l’Unicef, et d’autres organisations ont dénoncé la disparition et le trafic d’enfants, et ils travaillent sur place.

L’ambassadrice de Haïti en Espagne, Yollete Azor-Charles, a remercié dans l’intervention l’offre du gouvernement espagnol, et s’est engagée à mettre en œuvre toutes les ressources du gouvernement haïtien dans ce projet.

Le programme « DNA-Prokids avec Haïti » sera développé par le gouvernement espagnol en collaboration avec l’Université de Grenade et plus précisément grâce au  Laboratoire d’identification génétique qui travaille depuis 2004 dans le projet DNA-Prokids avec l’Université du Nord du Texas, soutenu par la Junte andalouse, des entreprises nationales et internationales comme Life Technologies, et le financement des institutions financières telles BBVA, Fundación Botín (Banque Santander), ainsi comme des laboratoires et gouvernements des pays d’Amérique et l’Asie.

Début immédiat des travaux

L’offre de collaboration avec le gouvernement haïtien sera immédiate. Pour commencer les travaux seront répartis en cinq phases, selon le directeur du programme Dr José A. Lorente : la formation professionnelle pour le prélèvement d’échantillons biologiques sur place ; l’apport des trousses d’identification des échantillons biologiques (de salive ou de gouttes de sang) des enfants et autres mineurs de 18 ans sans famille reconnue ; la distribution de ces trousses d’identification pour la prise d’échantillons biologiques (de salive ou de gouttes de sang) des pères et mères (ou autres parents légitimes) qui ont rapporté la disparition de leurs enfants ; l’analyse d’ADN pour tous les cas, et la création d’une base de données « ad hoc » ; et finalement l’administration de renseignements aux autorités locales en Haïti nommées par les administrations compétentes. L’intégration des renseignements dans une même base de données permettra la réunification familiale, ou entraînera l’obligation de poursuivre la recherche et d’éviter que les trafiquants d’enfants profitent de la situation chaotique du pays.

Tout sera effectué en toute sécurité : la prise d’échantillons, le déplacement, l’analyse et la livraison des données. Si le laboratoire de Grenade se trouve déborder par le travail, d’autres laboratoires nationaux et internationaux aideraient à effectuer les analyses selon la stratégie définie en DNA-Prokids.

La conseillère de Justice du gouvernement autonome d’Andalousie, Begoña Álvarez, et le Vice-Président chargé de la coopération au développement de l’Université de Grenade, Miguel Gómez Oliver, se sont engagés, lors de la conférence de presse, à mettre en place le projet en Espagne et en Haïti. De cette façon, le gouvernement autonome d’Andalousie et l’Université de Grenade continueront de soutenir DNA-Prokids.

Sur DNA-Prokids

DNA-Prokids est un projet international qui vise à prévenir et à lutter contre la traite des mineurs au moyen de l’identification génétique des victimes et de leurs familles. Le projet est né en 2004 à l’initiative du département de médecine légale de l’Université de Grenade et a, depuis 2009, l’appui la l’Université du Nord du Texas par le biais de leur centre des Sciences de la Santé (Center of Human Identification, États Unis).

DNA-Prokids compte sur le soutien financier des institutions comme BBVA, Fundación Botín (Banque Santander) et Caja Granada, de la collaboration de l’UNT, d’un don de 500 000 $ américains de Life Technologies, et les relations avec les laboratoires et les gouvernements d’autres pays, ont permis de multiplier les activités de DNA-Prokids l’année dernière (les Philippines, la Thaïlande, le Mexique ou le Guatemala, entre autres) et aussi d’aborder ce projet totalement.

Contact:

prokids@ugr.es - Tél. 630064328 - 699223174.

Spain’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Soraya Rodríguez, has presented today a new cooperation program aimed at helping the human tragedy in Haiti.

The project called DNA-Prokids in Haiti will enable to initially take 6.000 samples of genetic data from adults who have reported missing children, immediate relatives with blood relationship, and from children with no family or doubtful relatives. The aim is to deter human trafficking of children and help reunite abducted and homeless children with their parents after the devastating earthquake, a problem which UNICEF and other organizations are warning of.

The Haitian Ambassador in Spain, Yollete Azor-Charles, have thanked the Spanish authorities for the initiative and have reported that she will do the best to offer the structure and means of the Haitian Government for the project.

The program DNA-Prokids in Haiti will be developed by the Spanish Government thanks to the collaboration by the University of Granada, which has being working in DNA-Prokids since 2004, through its Laboratory of Genetic Identification. DNA - Prokids also cooperate with the University of North Texas and is supported by the Andalusian Regional Government and the Life Technologies Foundation, as well as financial institutions such as BBVA or Fundación Botín/Santander, and laboratories and authorities from American and Asian countries.

Immediate start

The collaboration offer to the Haitian Government will start immediately and is scheduled in five stages, the director of the program Dr. José A. Lorente said:  ”On site training on sample collection; sample collection kits distribution (saliva, blood) for children under 18 with unknown family; sample collection kits distribution (saliva, blood) for parents (or relatives, if needed) who report their children disappearance; DNA analysis of the cases and design and development of ad hoc databases; and, finally, data delivery to competent Haitian authorities. Data interchange will make family reunification possible in same cases, it will force to continue searching in other cases, but it will save the children from abuse and organized crime in all cases”.

The whole process will fulfil all warranties and quality requirements in sample chain of custody and data analysis and delivery. In case the Laboratory in Granada is overwhelmed by the number of cases, other national and international laboratories are planned to make the data analysis, according to DNA - Prokids strategy.

Andalusian Regional Government, represented by the Councillor for Justice, Begoña Álvarez, and the University of Granada, represented by the Vice-rector for Development Cooperation, Miguel Gómez Oliver, have committed their institutions to develop the Project in Spain and Haiti, following the support they have already provided to DNA - Prokids.

About DNA-Prokids

DNA-PROKIDS is an international humanitarian project using DNA testing to deter human trafficking of children and help reunite abducted and homeless children with their parents. The program started in 2004 in the Legal Medicine Department of the University of Granada. In 2009 the Health Sciences Center of the University of North Texas (Center of Human Identification, USA) joined the project.

DNA - Prokids is supported by financial institutions such as BBVA, Fundación Botín (Banco Santander) and CajaGRANADA. Collaboration with the UNT, a 500000 USD grant from the Life Technologies Foundation, and cooperation with laboratories and authorities from other countries helped the Project to increase its activity during last year (Philippines, Thailand, Mexico or Guatemala, among others), which enable DNA-Prokids with Haiti to be developed with best warranties.

Contact:

prokids@ugr.es

Tlf. 630064328 - 699223174.

We are extremely concerned about the situation of children in Haiti, many of whom have become separated from their families and caregivers. These children face increased risks of malnutrition and disease, trafficking, sexual exploitation and serious emotional trauma. The race to provide them with life-saving emergency food and medicine, safe shelter, protection, and care is underway.

UNICEF and its partners, including the Haitian Government, the Red Cross and Save the Children, are establishing safe spaces for children and the process of registering unaccompanied children has commenced.

UNICEF and partners are also providing food and supplies for orphanages in Port-au-Prince.

Every effort will be made to reunite children with their families. Only if that proves impossible, and after proper screening has been carried out, should permanent alternatives like adoption be considered by the relevant authorities.  Screening for international adoption for some Haitian children had been completed prior to the earthquake. Where this is the case, there are clear benefits to speeding up their travel to their new homes.

UNICEF joins with the Committee on the Rights of the Child, International Social Service and other concerned groups in calling on all those involved in relief efforts to ensure that they act in the best interests of children. What is needed now is life saving support and care for children in Haiti.

For more information, please contact:
Christopher de Bono, UNICEF Media, New York,
Tel + 1 212 303 7984,
E-mail: cdebono@unicef.org

Patrick McCormick, UNICEF Media, New York,
Tel + 1 212-326-7426,
E-mail: pmccormick@unicef.org

• Spain’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Soraya Rodríguez, will explain this program to the media.

• The program, called DNA-Prokids, has been developed by the University of Granada and has identified more than 230 children in 12 countries last year.

Madrid, 29th January 2010. Spain’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Soraya Rodríguez, will explain on Monday 1st February to the media the program, developed by the University of Granada, to fight against child trafficking in Haiti. It is a genetic testing system called DNA-Prokids which will be provided free of charge by the Spanish Government.

The system consists on taking saliva or blood samples for children under 18 separated from their families in the disaster as well as from parents who have reported missing childrens. An ad hoc database will be created which will be available for Haitian Authorities.

The market price of the program is estimated in 250 euros/case, but DNA-Prokids will offer it at no cost for Haiti.

DNA - Prokids has been created and developed by the University of Granada, and was rolled out in several countries in 2009, with the collaboration of the University of North Texas.  Up to date has contributed to identify more than 230 children victims of child trafficking. Since last June it is granted with 500 000 dollars from the Life Technologies foundation. It is also supported by other private sponsors (BBVA, Fundación Botín-Santander, CajaGranada), and the Andalusian Regional Government.

Further information: Área de Comunicación AECID. comunicacion@aecid.es

Phones: (+34) 91 583 82 65 – 690 29 18 05 – 659 18 59 72