Trafficking in Human Beings in Southeastern Europe - Iom

Trafficking in Human Beingsin Southeastern EuropeRepublic ofMontenegroRepublic ofMontenegro1. OverviewThe FRY Republic of Montenegro has a multi-ethnic and multi-religious populationof approximately 650,000. Montenegro continues to keep its distancefrom the Federal government in Belgrade, and a referendum on independencefor Montenegro is continually the subject of debate in the political arena splittingpolitics and society into two camps – for and against secession from FRY.The conflicts in the region have enabled organised criminal networks to flourishin Montenegro, and women are trafficked through and to the country, oftenwith the co-operation of local authorities and the police. Until recently, theresponse to trafficking in Montenegro has been very weak, but the Governmentis now supporting actions to combat trafficking and assist traffickedwomen and girls, in cooperation with international organisations and NGOs.1.1. Migration, prostitution and traffickingMontenegro appears to be primarily a transit area for the movement of womenand girls from Serbia into Albania and Western Europe. In the past couple ofyears, it has also become a destination point for trafficking from the Republicof Moldova, Romania, Ukraine and Russia. The sex industry in Montenegro isrun from bars, clubs and motels, and is reportedly centred in the areas ofPodgorica, Rozaje, Berane, Bar (the main port in Montenegro), Ulcinj andBudva, the last two being tourist resorts on the Adriatic coast.Reports are beginning to emerge on trafficking of women from Montenegro,although only a few to date. 98 Taking into account the difficult economic situationin Montenegro and the high rate of unemployment, it is likely thatwomen, especially, will follow promises of jobs abroad.As documented elsewhere in this report, the usual pattern of recruitment pertains,responding to advertisements for international employment as waitresses,housekeepers, dancers or models in the countries of origin. Althoughthe women generally have had their documentation taken from them and heldby their pimps or protectors, many have had official documentation and workvisas issued. This documentation is often issued through the local police whoare complicit with the work of bar owners and traffickers. The women do notusually even have to present themselves at the police station, and passportsand documents are not checked for authenticity.The information and statistics available from the Montenegrin Ministry of theInterior relate to illegal migrants. According to the Ministry, foreign women arebrought to Montenegro mostly from Serbia and either stay to work in bars andcafes as dancers and waitresses or are moved on to Albania and Italy. Mostforeign women come legally and are granted a residence visa for one monthas tourists, although some have legal contracts with entertainment businessagencies based in Serbia or with bar owners in Montenegro. When legal residencyand visas expire, the women are detained by the Montenegrin author-98.Recently local NGOs received information about 18 women from Montenegro arrested inAlbania by the police during a raid on a club and probably deported to the border.87