Trafficking in Human Beings in Southeastern Europe - Iom

Trafficking in Human Beingsin Southeastern EuropeExecutive SummaryExecutiveSummaryThis report reviews the situation and responses to trafficking in human beingsin the countries of Southeastern Europe (SEE): Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia andHerzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Former YugoslavRepublic of Macedonia, Moldova and Romania. These are the countries of origin,transit and destination for the trafficking of women and girls for the purposeof sexual exploitation. Children are also trafficked from Albania intoGreece and Italy for the purpose of forced labour.Southeastern EuropeNinety percent of foreign migrant sex workers in the Balkan countries are victimsof trafficking. However not more than thirty five percent are recognizedas such and only fraction (seven percent) of this number receive long termassistance and support. In general, trafficking is viewed as an issue of migrationor national security and not as a human rights violation, and as a consequence,the victims of trafficking in majority of cases are not recognized assuch and are treated as criminals.Since September 2000, there has been a major change in attitude and in thelevel of the government involvement in counter-trafficking activities. Fromhaving denied the existence of trafficking, governments are now giving priorityto anti-trafficking initiatives and assigning responsibilities at ministeriallevel. The establishment of the Trafficking Task Force under the Stability Pactfor SEE has served to provide the much needed overall co-ordination andguidance for anti-trafficking activities in SEE. Within this framework, the governmentshave developed National Plans of Action, which allow a structured,comprehensive approach to the problem, and the involvement of internationalagencies and NGOs, as well as a willingness to co-operate and exchange informationat regional level.XV