Trafficking in Human Beings in Southeastern Europe - Iom

Trafficking in Human Beingsin Southeastern EuropeExecutiveSummaryThe report reveals a number of areas where there are obstacles to the provisionof protection and support for trafficked women and children. Althoughmost SEE countries are in the process of reviewing their legislation to includetrafficking in human beings in their Criminal Codes, trafficking continues to beviewed by the police and the judiciary as illegal migration for the purposes ofprostitution, rather than a flagrant violation of human rights.Support services for trafficked persons are provided by international agenciesand national non-governmental organisations. There are, however, no clearhuman right standards for the treatment of trafficked women and children, noreferral mechanisms in place to ensure that all trafficked persons are identifiedand assisted. There are no standard protocols for the behaviour of the lawenforcement agencies, international organisations and NGOs providing identification,referral and assistance. Lack of special procedures and special protectionsfor children has resulted in the authorities and assisting organisationstreating girls under 18 as adults. Many trafficked women and children are fallingback into the trafficking cycle due to gaps in service and support provisionboth in the destination country and the country of origin.Access to reliable data and research is also problematic, particularly to informationregarding the trafficking of children. More accurate information isneeded to assist in the development of appropriate responses. Generally,there are not enough prevention measures focusing on the root causes of trafficking,not enough activities to raise awareness, and in particular, access tohealth and reproductive health care and education for high risk groups isalmost non-existent. Neither are there any information or education campaignsregarding safe sex, safe drug use and HIV/AIDS for either sex workersor customers.The report presents a number of areas of action for consideration by governments,NGOs, international organisations and donors for more effective solutionsat regional and national levels.XVI