2007 Trafficking in Persons Report - Center for Women Policy Studies

cerated, fined or otherwise penalized for unlawful
acts as a direct result of being trafficked.
Prevention
The Government of Chad continued modest efforts
to raise awareness about trafficking during the
reporting period. The government, in collaboration
with UNICEF and other partners, staged two
public awareness-raising rallies on the exploitation
of children as herders and domestics workers
in Metekaga and Nderguigui; 6,000 people were
present. Government-controlled television aired
anti-trafficking documentaries and government
radio broadcast programs for parents about how to
protect children from traffickers. The government
denied reports that the Chadian National Army
recruits minors. However, it agreed to cooperate
with UNICEF to conduct a survey on child soldiers
in Chad in 2007. Chad has not ratified the 2000
UN TIP Protocol.
CHILE (Tier 2)
Chile is a source, transit, and destination country
for women and children trafficked for the purpose
of commercial sexual exploitation. Most victims of
sex trafficking are Chilean women and girls who are
trafficked within the country. Chileans are trafficked
to neighboring countries, the United States, Spain,
and Japan for sexual and labor exploitation. Foreign
victims are brought to Chile for commercial sexual
exploitation and forced labor from Peru, Argentina,
Colombia, Bolivia, and China. Chinese nationals
transit Chile en route to Mexico, the United States,
and Canada.
The Government of Chile does not fully comply
with the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts
to do so. The government made solid efforts to
raise public awareness about the dangers of human
trafficking, to coordinate government efforts to
combat trafficking, and to support NGO victimassistance
programs. In the coming year, the government
should enact comprehensive anti-trafficking
legislation to criminalize all forms of trafficking
and increase training for judges, police, and key
criminal-justice personnel.
Prosecution
The Government of Chile continued to improve its
law enforcement efforts against traffickers. Chile
does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, though
it criminalizes transnational trafficking for sexual
exploitation through Article 367 of its penal code.
Penalties under this statute range from three to
20 years’ imprisonment, depending on whether
aggravated circumstances exist. Such penalties
are sufficiently stringent and commensurate with
penalties for rape and other grave crimes. However,
the government does not prohibit labor trafficking
and some forms of internal trafficking. A draft
anti-trafficking law is now pending before Chile’s
Chamber of Deputies; it should be passed so
that all forms of trafficking are clearly prohibited
and punished. During the reporting period, the
government opened 13 trafficking investigations,
completed two prosecutions, and obtained one
conviction, which resulted in a six-year sentence.
The government also opened 94 investigations into
the promotion and facilitation of child prostitution,
obtaining nine convictions. Chilean authorities
reported difficulties, however, in obtaining
convictions in trafficking cases where witnesses had
not been physically victimized or injured. Chilean
police engaged in covert anti-trafficking operations
and stings and incorporated trafficking into police
training programs in 2006. The government works
closely with neighboring governments and the
United States on international trafficking cases. No
government officials were investigated or prosecuted
for complicity with trafficking during the
reporting period.
Protection
The Chilean government made solid efforts to assist
trafficking victims during the reporting period. The
government systematically identifies and refers
trafficking victims to NGOs and shelters, where they
receive psychological counseling and support. The
government also funds victim-assistance programs
and projects. Chilean authorities encourage victims
to assist in the investigation and prosecution of
their traffickers. There were no reports that victims
were punished for unlawful acts committed as a
direct result of being trafficked. Trafficking victims
may remain in Chile during legal proceedings
against their traffickers, and may apply for legal
residency. The government works with foreign
governments to facilitate the safe return of Chilean
victims trafficked abroad.
Prevention
The government continued prevention efforts during
the reporting period. The government conducted
regular education and outreach campaigns, which
were geared to prevent the sexual exploitation of
minors. The government also continued to conduct
joint public awareness-raising projects with NGOs
and international organizations, and it funded antitrafficking
training programs and projects.
C H I L E
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