2007 Trafficking in Persons Report - Center for Women Policy Studies

L E B A N O N
134
of commercial sexual exploitation. Men and
women from Latvia are trafficked to Ireland and the
United Kingdom for the purpose of forced labor.
The Government of Latvia does not fully comply
with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts
to do so. In 2006, the government implemented
the Social Services and Social Assistance Law that
requires the state to provide social and rehabilitation
services to registered trafficking victims. During
the reporting period, the government expanded
the authority of an organization to identify and
certify trafficking victims for government funded
assistance. Nevertheless, the government should do
more to proactively identify and assist those victims
trafficked abroad by allocating at least nominal
funding for repatriation. Authorities should make
greater efforts to ensure that the majority of convicted
traffickers serve some time in prison.
Prosecution
Section 154 of Latvia’s criminal code prohibits
trafficking for both sexual exploitation and forced
labor. Penalties prescribed for trafficking range from
3 to 15 years’ imprisonment and are sufficiently
stringent and commensurate with penalties for
other grave crimes, such as rape. Latvia also uses
non-trafficking specific laws to prosecute traffickers.
In 2006, police conducted 22 investigations,
compared to 24 in 2005. In 2006, 36 traffickers
were prosecuted and convicted under another
statute of the criminal code. Of the 36 convicted
traffickers, prison sentences were imposed on only
10, with sentences ranging from 1 to 10 years’
imprisonment. The remaining 26 convicted traffickers
were given fines or placed on probation,
punishments that are inadequate.
Protection
The government made modest efforts
to improve its victim assistance and
protection. Latvian Embassies in the
United Kingdom and Spain identified
and assisted three victims in 2006. At
least 20 victims were identified in Latvia
during the reporting period. All 20
received NGO- or IOM-provided assistance, and
the six victims who cooperated with law enforcement
qualified for government funded rehabilitation
services. Although the government allocated
$37,000 for victim assistance in 2006, it spent only
$10,000 because it assisted only the six victims who
cooperated with law enforcement. In early 2007,
service providers were permitted for the first time
to certify victims as eligible for government assistance;
previously, only law enforcement officials
were authorized to identify victims. In 2006, the
government funded victim assistance and sensitivity
training for 1,200 rehabilitation providers and
social workers. The government encouraged victims
to participate in law enforcement investigations;
foreign victims may apply for temporary work and
residency permits if they remain in Latvia to testify
against their traffickers. In 2006, one trafficking
victim was assisted by Latvia’s witness protection
program. The government did not penalize victims
for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of
their being trafficked.
Prevention
The Welfare Ministry provided anti-trafficking
awareness training for 1,200 social workers in
2006. Local police were also very active in prevention;
during the reporting period, police inspectors
visited 94 percent of Latvia’s schools and spoke
with students on the dangers of trafficking. The
government did not fund a nation-wide awareness
campaign during the reporting period.
LEBANON (Tier 2)
Lebanon is a destination country for the trafficking
of Asians and Africans for the purpose of domestic
servitude and for Eastern European and Syrian
women trafficked for the purpose of commercial
sexual exploitation. Lebanese children are trafficked
within the country for the purpose of commercial
sexual exploitation and forced labor. Women from
Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Ethiopia migrate
to Lebanon legally, but often find themselves
subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as
domestic servants. Many suffer physical and sexual
abuse, non-payment of wages, threats, and withholding
of passports. Eastern European and Syrian
women come to Lebanon on “artiste” visas, but
some become victims of forced prostitution.
The Government of Lebanon does not fully comply
with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts