Challenged by corruption, limited resources, and, in some places, tolerance for the commercial sex trade, Southeast Asia is one of the world's top destinations for pedophiles seeking sex with children.
AFGHANISTAN (TIER 2)
Afghanistan is a source country for women and children trafficked internally and to Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Children are trafficked internally for forced labor as beggars or into debt bondage in the brick kiln and carpet-making industries. Afghan women and girls are kidnapped, lured by fraudulent marriage or job proposals, or sold into marriage or commercial sexual exploitation within the country and in Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. Women are also exchanged to settle debts or resolve conflicts. The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission reported 150 cases of child trafficking this year, though many suspect the actual level of trafficking is higher.
The Government of Afghanistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Although the government has had an interagency working group on trafficking for two years, little discernable action has resulted due in large part to limited resources and lack of capacity. Afghanistan did not enact a trafficking law in 2005, though it continued to rely on kidnapping and other criminal laws to prosecute trafficking offenses. Afghanistan also has not taken sufficient action to address the reportedly high degree of corruption among police and border guards. Police officers, prosecutors, and judges often lack training and sensitivity to trafficking issues. As a result, the government's prosecution level is low and many cases are never heard. Afghanistan should enact a comprehensive anti-trafficking law, increase prosecutions of traffickers including corrupt government officers, and provide technical and sensitivity training for government officials.
Prosecution
Over the year, Afghanistan made some progress in its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts. Afghanistan does not have a specific anti-trafficking law, and relies primarily on kidnapping statutes to charge trafficking offenses. Despite reports last year that the Ministry of Justice was in the process of drafting an anti-trafficking law, none has been released or enacted. This year, Afghanistan reported 40-70 arrests of child traffickers. Four prosecutions resulted in 15 convictions, with six traffickers sentenced to jail terms ranging from eight months to 20 years and seven traffickers sentenced to death. However, the government did not report significant measures taken to investigate prosecute or otherwise curb government corruption, particularly among border guards who are widely believed to facilitate trafficking. Afghanistan should enact an anti-trafficking law, increase law enforcement action against corrupt government officials, and expand training programs for police and members of the judiciary investigating and prosecuting these cases.
Protection
The Government of Afghanistan, with limited resources, made modest improvements in its protection efforts, but deficiencies remain. The government cooperated with Saudi Arabia to repatriate children trafficked for forced begging. While the Government of Afghanistan still lacks a shelter providing medical, psychological, and legal aid to trafficking victims, there are shelters operated by NGOs. Adult victims are sometimes jailed. The government also does not encourage victims to participate in trials of their traffickers. Afghanistan should offer basic shelter services and protection for victims, and prevent the arrest and incarceration of suspected trafficking victims. The government should also ensure that victims have the opportunity to participate in the trials of their traffickers if they choose.
Prevention
During the year, Afghanistan took minimal action to prevent trafficking in persons. The government's national anti-trafficking task force met, but was not active. The government disseminated information about missing children through the media and mosques and conducted limited police training to raise awareness of trafficking. Afghanistan failed to consistently and adequately screen emigrants and immigrants at the border in order to identify trafficking victims or to undertake a broad public awareness campaign on trafficking.
ALBANIA (TIER 2)
Albania is primarily a source country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Victims are trafficked to Greece and Italy, with many of these victims trafficked onward to the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands. Internal trafficking within Albania and re-trafficking of Albanian victims to other countries remained a problem in 2005. Reports of Roma and Egyptian children trafficked for forced labor or begging continued.
The Government of Albania does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government continued to produce successful prosecutions and convictions of traffickers, appointed a new fulltime national anti-trafficking coordinator with staff, began to implement its witness protection law for trafficking victims, and signed a bilateral anti-child-trafficking agreement with Greece. While the government demonstrated strong law enforcement efforts, overall implementation of the government's protection and prevention programs remained weak. The government should fully implement its witness protection program, encourage a greater number of victims to testify against their traffickers and make efforts to guarantee victims' safety. Comprehensive reintegration and rehabilitation services are critical to prevent the re-trafficking of Albanian citizens. The government as a whole should assume a greater leadership role in the country's anti-trafficking efforts, actively implement its National Action Plan, and vigorously investigate and prosecute trafficking-related corruption at all levels of law enforcement.
Prosecution
In 2005, the Government of Albania actively continued to investigate and prosecute trafficking; it investigated 49 cases, prosecuted 51 traffickers, and convicted 54 traffickers. Albanian courts sentenced more than half of the convicted traffickers to five to 10 years, with some sentences over 10 years -- significant penalties for the region. In February 2005, the government established a specialized asset forfeiture unit and thus far has obtained final judgments of forfeiture for two trafficking cases, with additional cases pending. The government failed to conduct its own specialized anti-trafficking training for police, prosecutors, judges, and other relevant law enforcement officials in 2005, but continued to cooperate closely with NGOs and international organizations on border control and various trainings. Reports of trafficking-related corruption in Albania involving government and police officials continued. The government increased its investigations of police officers for involvement in illegal border crossings, but did not find any government officials complicit in trafficking.
Protection
The government sustained its modest efforts to protect and reintegrate trafficking victims during 2005. NGOs and international organizations administered and funded the majority of services for victims; however, the government provided some facilities and personnel. In 2006, the government began using in one case a witness protection program for trafficking victims. While the government approved a national victim referral mechanism in 2005, it did not employ it during the reporting period. In 2005, Albanian police continued to informally refer victims to shelters and re-integration assistance. Police identified and referred 28 victims within the country and referred 214 victims, who were either repatriated or deported back to Albania to the Vatra Center, a leading NGO in Albania providing shelter and services to victims. The Vatra Center reported assisting 238 victims in 2005, more than half of which had been trafficked at least on one other occasion. In addition, another reintegration shelter, Different and Equal, reported assisting 23 women and girls in 2005. The government-run National Victim Referral Center temporarily housed 32 victims in 2005; many were transferred to other shelters for reintegration. In February 2006, the government signed a bilateral agreement with Greece to address child trafficking, which should assist with the return of child trafficking victims to Albania from Greece.
Prevention
The government made some progress in anti-trafficking prevention during the reporting period. In
2005, the government appointed a new, full-time, national coordinator with a dedicated staff of five. It publicly endorsed the previous government's National Action Plan for 2005-2007, though it failed to implement most of the Plan's objectives, including implementing a referral mechanism, improving witness protection, vocational training and other key reintegration efforts, specialized law enforcement training, and a targeted awareness campaign. The government took steps to increase the level of coordination with NGOs and international organizations, but relied primarily on these groups for anti-trafficking prevention and outreach to vulnerable populations and potential victims. The Ministry of Education continued to implement with IOM a project targeting 36 schools in at-risk regions, and in 2005 expanded the project to another 10 schools.
ALGERIA (TIER 2 WATCH LIST)
Algeria is a transit and destination country for men, women, and children from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation. Although many victims willingly migrate to Algeria en route to European countries such as Austria, Belgium, and Italy with the help of smugglers, they are often abandoned once they enter Algeria or are forced into prostitution, labor, and begging to pay off their smuggling debt. Armed militants also reportedly traffic Algerian women for sexual exploitation and involuntary servitude, and Algerian children may be trafficked for forced labor as domestic servants or street vendors.
The Government of Algeria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Algeria is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for its lack of evidence of increasing efforts to address trafficking in persons over the last year. Algeria took no steps to assess the scope of trafficking in the country and reported no investigations or prosecutions for trafficking offenses this year. The government's plan to create an office to address human trafficking and appoint a national anti-trafficking coordinator, announced in 2004, has not been implemented. In addition, the government failed to institute a systematic screening procedure to differentiate trafficking victims from the large population of illegal migrants it arrests and deports every year. Algeria should fulfill its plans to create an anti-trafficking policy structure with the development and implementation of a national action plan against trafficking. It should also significantly increase investigations and prosecutions of trafficking offenses, and screen and protect trafficking victims.
Prosecution
Over the year, Algeria made little discernable progress in its law enforcement efforts against traffickers. Algeria does not have a law specifically criminalizing trafficking in persons, but other sections of the criminal code can be used to prosecute trafficking offenses. Nonetheless, the government reported no investigations or prosecutions of traffickers this year. Algeria is also witnessing increasing activity by organized criminal networks that smuggle and traffic men, women, and children from parts of West Africa and Asia to Europe for sexual exploitation and forced labor, yet did not undertake any coordinated effort to investigate this trend and interdict trafficking rings. The government should significantly increase investigations and prosecutions of trafficking crimes, particularly those orchestrated by organized criminal syndicates.
Protection
Algeria did not take significant measures to improve its protection of trafficking victims since last year. Victims are generally treated as illegal immigrants and are not provided with protective services. The government utilizes no systematic procedure to screen trafficking victims to distinguish them from illegal migrants; as such, police officers regularly arrest those illegally in Algeria, including potential trafficking victims, holding them for several days in jail before deporting them. Algeria also does not refer trafficking victims to local NGOs or support NGOs who may offer protective services to victims. The government did, however, provide specialized training for government officials in recognizing trafficking and dealing with victims of trafficking. The government should improve its protection efforts by screening trafficking victims and providing them with appropriate medical, psychological, and legal care.
Prevention
During the year, Algeria made uneven progress in preventing trafficking in persons. In September 2005, members of the Algerian coast guard attended training on smuggling and trafficking prevention, which will allow them to improve their efforts to monitor Algeria's long and porous borders and maritime ports. The government, however, did not take measures to raise public awareness of the dangers of trafficking and should consider establishing a broad public information campaign to do so. In March 2006, Algeria declined to participate in a Moroccan-sponsored conference on illegal migration that would bring Maghreb and European states together in July 2006 to discuss the issue. Algeria organized an African Union experts meeting on migration in April 2006, but did not invite Morocco to participate in or observe the conference. Algeria and Morocco share a common border along established trafficking and migration routes in the Sahara and would benefit from dialogue on the issue.
ANGOLA (TIER 2)
Angola is a source country for small numbers of women and children trafficked, primarily internally, for forced labor and sexual exploitation. Angolan children are trafficked internally for commercial agriculture, porting, street vending, and forced prostitution; some children are trafficked to Namibia and South Africa for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation.
The Government of Angola does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Future government actions should focus on: proactively investigating suspected human trafficking cases; utilizing existing legal statutes to prosecute cases of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; and providing protective services for children rescued from prostitution and forced labor.
Prosecution
Angola's anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts were modest during the reporting period. There are no specific laws that prohibit trafficking in persons, but elements of Angola's constitution and statutory laws, including those criminalizing forced or bonded labor, could be used to prosecute trafficking cases. No human trafficking cases were investigated or prosecuted during the year. National Police became more professional in the past year, but are still unable to properly document and investigate crimes. During the period, the National Institute for Children (INAC) provided several hundred police officers with training on the nature of human trafficking and how to respond to children found on the street. In 2005, 110 officials at border posts in 10 provinces received UNICEF training that addressed international trafficking laws and the collection of immigration and emigration data through new UNICEF-provided computer hardware and software. During the year, over 800 child travelers were screened at the international airport as part of the implementation of a new law requiring documentation for the international travel of unaccompanied minors; no cases of children traveling illegally outside of the country were found.
Protection
The government sustained the provision of significant but unevenly distributed protections for victims of trafficking during the reporting period. Its Institute for Social and Professional Reintegration of Ex-Combatants continued to collaborate with UNICEF and the World Bank to implement protection programs targeting war-affected children, including child soldiers. During the year, former child soldiers, as well as populations that were not initially registered as child soldiers, were provided with primary education, vocational skills training, psychological services, and assistance with civil registration. Since 2003, these programs have been made available to 4,700 adolescents. The Ministry of Assistance and Social Reintegration continued programs that in 2005 reunified 526 separated children with their families. The government provides basic assistance, including shelter in orphanages or with foster families, for trafficking victims on an as-needed basis; it provided no examples of this assistance being utilized during the reporting period.
Prevention
The government made progress in preventing new incidents of trafficking over the last year. The National Commission to Combat Child Labor and Trafficking in Minors met monthly and began, without outside assistance, research on the extent of trafficking in persons and the government's response to the phenomenon in four border provinces. INAC's educational campaign on child commercial sexual exploitation and child abuse increased public awareness through newspaper ads, radio public service announcements, and speeches and interviews by government officials; this campaign reached approximately 60 percent of the Angolan population. To strengthen local support for vulnerable children during the reporting period, the government established between 15 and 20 community-level "child networks" to promote dialogue between families, religious sects, local police, tribal authorities, provincial government officials, and prominent community members. These networks raised awareness of child protection issues and reduced the rate of child abandonment. The draft national plan of action to combat child trafficking remained under review. The Ministry of Education increased the number of students enrolled in all grade levels by hiring and training new teachers; 10,000 war-affected children residing in areas of heavy demobilization also benefited from the government's 2005 construction of new schools.
ARGENTINA (TIER 2 WATCH LIST)
Argentina is primarily a destination country for women and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual and labor exploitation. Most victims are trafficked internally, from rural to urban areas, for exploitation in prostitution. Argentine women and girls are trafficked to neighboring countries for sexual exploitation. Foreign women and children are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation, primarily from Paraguay, but also from Bolivia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Chile; and Bolivians are trafficked for forced labor.
The Government of Argentina does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Argentina is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking over the previous year, particularly in the key area of prosecutions. Government efforts to improve interagency anti-trafficking coordination did not achieve significant progress in moving cases against traffickers through the judicial system. However, the government made progress in other areas, by submitting anti-trafficking legislation to Congress in August 2005 and sensitizing provincial and municipal government officials to the trafficking problem. Looking to the coming year, the government should work with Congress to achieve passage of anti-trafficking legislation; increase efforts to prosecute traffickers; expand training for court and law enforcement officials; and work with NGOs to heighten public awareness of the problem.
Prosecution
The government made limited progress in its actions against traffickers during the reporting period. Argentina lacks anti-trafficking statutes; law enforcement used other laws that prescribe penalties of up to 20 years in prison against traffickers. In the absence of anti-trafficking laws, officials were unable to provide accurate information regarding the extent of government actions against traffickers. The data available indicate that authorities launched at least 10 investigations relating to trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation, and arrested more than 33 suspects, including two provincial officials. However, there were no reports of investigations leading to convictions during the reporting period. A special prosecutor's unit for crimes against sexual integrity, child prostitution, and trafficking in persons was created in June 2005; the unit had begun receiving cases, but was not yet fully operational by March 2006.
Protection
The government made modest efforts to assist victims during the reporting period. The Attorney General's Office and provincial Victims Assistance Offices coordinated victim assistance policy through the Federal Council of Victims Assistance Offices and offered a variety of services
including medical and psychological treatment, legal counseling, referrals to other sources of assistance, and repatriation. The government did not operate victim shelter and health care facilities dedicated for trafficking, but Victims Assistance Offices worked with social services agencies to ensure that trafficking victims received safe shelter and appropriate care. The government encouraged victims to support prosecutions and worked with source countries directly or referred repatriation requests to IOM. IOM repatriated approximately 40 foreign victims from six countries in the region. Identified trafficking victims were not detained, jailed, or forcibly deported, but more officials require training regarding how to identify and work with victims.
Prevention
The government made notable advances in prevention activities during the reporting period. Comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation was submitted to Congress in August 2005. The legislation defines trafficking according to the standards of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking Persons, Especially Women and Children, and addresses protection and prevention programs. Government agencies trained provincial and municipal officials and launched a national awareness campaign on radio and television regarding violence against women and trafficking in persons.
ARMENIA (TIER 2 WATCH LIST)
Armenia is a major source and, to a lesser extent, a transit and destination country for women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation largely to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and Turkey. Traffickers, many of them women, route victims directly into Dubai or through Moscow. Traffickers also route victims to Turkey through Georgia via bus. Profits derived from the trafficking of Armenian victims reportedly increased dramatically from the previous year.
The Government of Armenia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Armenia is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for a second consecutive year because of its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts over the past year, particularly in the areas of enforcement, trafficking-related corruption, and victim protection. While the government increased implementation of its anti-trafficking law, it failed to impose significant penalties for convicted traffickers. The government failed to vigorously investigate and prosecute ongoing and widespread allegations of public officials' complicity in trafficking. Victim protection efforts remained in early, formative stages. Victim-blaming and lack of sensitivity for victims remain a problem among Armenian officials, particularly in the judiciary.
Prosecution
In 2005, the Government of Armenia increased the use of the 2003 anti-trafficking statute under Article 132, which prohibits trafficking in persons for forced labor and sexual exploitation. However, many courts overturned convictions handed down under Article 132, and reduced sentences by converting the charges into lesser pimping charges. The government continued to apply other criminal codes to about half of its trafficking cases in 2005. During the reporting period, the government investigated 30 trafficking cases, resulting in 14 prosecutions and 17 convictions. While Article 132 provides for longer sentences, penalties actually imposed continue to be insufficient and not commensurate with those for other equally grave crimes in Armenia. During the reporting period, only a few convictions resulted in actual imprisonment; the remaining offenders received suspended sentences, corrective labor and fines. Lack of public confidence and allegations of official complicity continued to hurt the credibility of the government's anti-trafficking efforts. The government established a special task force in February 2006 to investigate widespread allegations against an official within the Prosecutor General's anti-trafficking unit. However, after a cursory investigation, this task force found no evidence of any wrongdoing. The government failed to provide direct training to educate prosecutors and judges on its new trafficking law, although it distributed to police practical guidelines on methods to investigate trafficking cases.
Protection
The Armenian Government continued to rely on international organizations and NGOs to provide protection and assistance to trafficking victims; these non-governmental groups cited good cooperation with government officials. Victim assistance programs reportedly sheltered 16 victims in 2005, the majority referred by Armenian officials. Notably, the police took the initiative to invite NGOs to screen and interview four suspected trafficking victims. A formalized screening and referral mechanism has yet to be developed or implemented among law enforcement officials. Some victims continue to receive poor treatment during court cases, reducing the likelihood of future victims willing to come forward to testify against their traffickers.
Prevention
In 2005, official recognition and acknowledgment of trafficking in Armenia improved and the
government began to implement its January 2004 National Action Plan (NAP). Government officials made public appeals to help raise awareness about trafficking. The government joined UNDP in raising awareness about trafficking. The Department for Migration and Refugees (DMR) included trafficking information in its outreach activities through the distribution of brochures and visits to rural regions in Armenia. The DMR also developed a draft law on regulating labor migration, to include licensing for employment agencies that recruit people for jobs abroad. The government continued to provide housing to vulnerable children released from Armenian orphanages.
AUSTRALIA (TIER 1)
Australia is a destination country for women from Southeast Asia, South Korea, and the People's Republic of China (P.R.C.) trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation. The majority of trafficking victims are women who travel to Australia voluntarily to work in both legal and illegal brothels but are deceived or coerced into debt bondage or sexual servitude. The Australian Crime Commission reports that deceptive practices in contract terms and conditions, which often mask debt bondage, appear to be increasing among women in prostitution, while deceptive recruiting practices appear to be decreasing. There were also some reports of internal trafficking in Australia.
The Government of the Australia fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Over the reporting period, Australia passed important criminal code reforms that strengthened its domestic trafficking laws, namely defining the crime of debt bondage. Additionally, the government continues to be a regional leader in the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons, and Related Transnational Organized Crime. The government provides adequate resources to anti-trafficking efforts and works regionally to train officials and law enforcement on prevention and detection of trafficking-related crimes. Despite important gains, over the past three years there have been no convictions or punishment of traffickers, a key deterrent to trafficking crimes.
Prosecution
The Government of Australia continued to pursue trafficking prosecutions during the year. Government law enforcement agencies consolidated their trafficking detection and prosecution efforts during the year, despite setbacks in the courts. Five prosecutions are underway in the country, one of which commenced during the reporting period. Two other cases were dismissed because the juries could not reach verdicts. The government plans to retry one case; the main government witness in the other case declined to make herself available for a re-trial. Nonetheless, the Australian Federal Police's Transnational Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking (TSET) team reported 14 trafficking investigations during the last year. Australian authorities investigated 11 child sex tourism cases: three persons were prosecuted and convicted and five are still under investigation. Of the three convicted pedophiles, two received short custodial sentences -- one of three years -- and one was released on conditional court order.
Protection
The Government of Australia provides a comprehensive package of care for trafficking victims, their immediate family members or witnesses who are able and willing to aid in a criminal investigation, though application of this program has been criticized by anti-trafficking NGOs in the country. There are three types of visas available to trafficking victims: Bridging F Visas; Criminal Justice Stay Visas; and Witness Protection Visas (temporary) and (permanent). Bridging F Visas permit a person otherwise ineligible to remain in Australia for up to 30 days as long as the person is deemed by law enforcement authorities as important to a criminal investigation. Criminal Justice Stay Visas are granted to victims for longer terms of residency if police decide that their presence is required for an investigation or prosecution; however, in practice, this means they must make themselves available to serve as a witness in a prosecution. Witness Protection Visas (temporary) and (permanent) are granted if a victim provides a "significant contribution" to a criminal investigation or prosecution, and in order to qualify for a permanent Witness Protection Visa a person must have held a Witness Protection (temporary) Visa for at least two years. The Witness Protection (permanent) Visa is designed to protect victims from retribution they would face if they had to return to their country of origin. To date, no Witness Protection (Trafficking) Visas have been issued to victims of trafficking; however, four victims are currently under consideration. Individuals granted status under these special visa classes are entitled to a package of benefits, including shelter, counseling, and food and living allowances. The benefit program is administered by the government's trafficking care program (VOTCare). Thirteen new persons, including eight recipients of bridging F visas, received assistance during the reporting period and a total of 54 potential victims, including 42 holders of Bridging F Visas have received assistance since the VOTC are program began on January 1, 2004. No witness protection visas have thus far been granted in cases where victims have participated in a criminal prosecution. The result is that some victims may be asked to participate in a criminal prosecution of their trafficker without assurances of their immigration status at the end of the case.
Prevention
Australia supports strong prevention efforts in the country as well as in source countries. Australia is a prominent leader in many regional projects aimed to detect, prevent, and raise awareness on matters relating to trafficking in persons. The government provides regular, systematic, and specialized training for law enforcement officials on the identification of trafficking. It continues to work through its interdepartmental committee to implement its 2003 action plan to eradicate trafficking in persons, which received substantial funding for its implementation. Additionally, the government regularly provides funding to NGOs and service providers to care for and assist trafficking victims.
AUSTRIA (TIER 1)
Austria is a transit and destination country for women from Romania, Bulgaria, Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, and some African countries trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation. The IOM estimates there are 7,000 foreign victims in Vienna alone. Victims are transited through Austria to Italy, France, and Spain. In 2005, 700 Roma girls from Bulgaria were identified in Vienna; these children were trafficked for purposes of forced petty theft and commercial sexual exploitation.
The Government of Austria fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Austria in January 2006 eliminated a "dancer" visa that had been used to traffic women into the country. The government's Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings worked to develop a National Action Plan. Although Austria has a commendable record on anti-trafficking efforts, the government should consider strengthening trafficking sentences and ensure that traffickers serve their prescribed time in prison. Police should also devote more resources to combat human trafficking. The government should consider expanding its prevention campaign to include demand reduction programs.
Prosecution
The Austrian Government increased its law enforcement efforts over the reporting period. In 2005, police filed 168 trafficking cases with the public prosecutor. Authorities conducted a total of 192 trafficking prosecutions utilizing several trafficking-related statutes. Conviction data for 2005 was unavailable at the time of this Report; however, Austrian courts in 2004 convicted 49 traffickers, an increase from 11 convictions in 2003. Fourteen traffickers received prison sentences ranging from one to 12 months, seven traffickers received sentences of one to three years, while only two traffickers received sentences of three to five years in prison. Twenty-four traffickers received partially suspended sentences and served an unspecified amount of time in prison. Two traffickers received a fine and served no prison time. The recent prosecution of serial trafficker and former Olympic figure skater Wolfgang Schwartz highlighted serious concerns about Austria's willingness to enforce prescribed prison sentences for convicted traffickers. Schwartz was convicted in 2002 of trafficking women for sexual exploitation, but was never forced to serve his one and one-half year prison sentence. Police launched investigations against clients of a trafficking ring that victimized underage girls; this case remains ongoing and police had made no arrests at the time of this Report. Cooperation between Austrian and Bulgarian law enforcement authorities improved on the matter of child trafficking during the reporting period; in March 2006, two Bulgarian liaison officers were posted to Vienna for one month. Their presence significantly reduced the number of Bulgarian child victims arrested for pick-pocketing, according to Austrian police.
Protection
Austria continued to provide a high level of assistance and protection to victims of trafficking over the last year. Victims qualify for temporary residence visas. The government fully funds a key anti-trafficking NGO in Austria; in 2005, the government approved a five-year funding commitment for the NGO that improved the NGO's stability and its ability to plan and execute the delivery of its services. Victims had full access to the Austrian social system.
Prevention
Austria focused much of its prevention effort in source countries. In September 2005, Austrian embassies and consulates in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine began issuing special information about the dangers of forced prostitution to women who applied for visas and declared their intention to work as exotic dancers or in a similar profession considered at-risk for trafficking. These embassies and consulates also now require these women to apply for visas in person in order to exercise more control over such potential victim cases. The city of Vienna subsidized five projects in Moldova, Hungary, Albania, Macedonia, and Bulgaria.
AZERBAIJAN (TIER 2)
Azerbaijan is primarily a source and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Most Azerbaijani victims were trafficked for sexual exploitation to Turkey and the Persian Gulf. Other destinations include Russia, Germany, and Greece. Reports of internal trafficking also continued, as did reports of men trafficked to Turkey and Russia for forced labor.
The Government of Azerbaijan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government undertook important steps to prevent and combat trafficking during the reporting period. In 2005, the government passed anti-trafficking legislation, appointed a new national anti-trafficking coordinator, fully vetted the staff of an anti-trafficking police unit, nearly completed renovations of a trafficking shelter, and created two new trafficking hotlines. The government should take immediate and tangible steps to improve victim rehabilitation by opening, adequately staffing, and fully funding its shelter for trafficking victims. It should also implement a nation-wide victim referral mechanism so that law enforcement personnel improve identification and protection of trafficking victims.
Prosecution
In 2005, the Government of Azerbaijan adopted its Law on the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons and adopted corresponding amendments to the criminal code. The law covers trafficking for both forced labor and sexual exploitation and carries a maximum penalty of 10 to 12 years. Due to the late passage of the criminal code amendments, however, the government continued to use older trafficking-related laws to prosecute traffickers in 2005. During the reporting period, the government opened 160 trafficking investigations and prosecuted 153 cases, resulting in 93 convictions. By the end of the reporting period, 37 traffickers were in prison. The government gave fines to 26 convicted traffickers and gave suspended sentences to 10 convicted traffickers in 2005. During the reporting period, the government completed a thorough vetting process, including conducting exams and background investigations, for its anti-trafficking police unit to ensure the unit meets international standards. The Ministry of Interior worked with customs and border officials to monitor and identify potential trafficking victims at airports, seaports, and land crossings and in January 2006 announced the disruption of a transnational trafficking ring. The Azerbaijani Government cooperated with U.S. counterparts to provide critical information for the prosecution of a U.S. trafficking case involving Azerbaijani victims in 2005. Reports of border guards and law enforcement officials receiving bribes to facilitate trafficking continued. The government established an anti-corruption commission last year to address pervasive corruption.
Protection
The Government of Azerbaijan continued to provide an inadequate level of assistance and support to victims in 2005. During the reporting period, the government failed to develop or implement a formal screening and referral mechanism to identify and assist victims. Although officials informally referred victims to state healthcare facilities, these facilities lack the capacity to provide the required specialized treatment or information for victims of trafficking. Some police referred victims to NGOs; however, a lack of adequate shelters in Azerbaijan forced NGO workers to use their own homes to shelter victims. The government made significant progress constructing and renovating a new trafficking shelter during the reporting period; the shelter is expected to open in spring 2006.
Prevention
The Government of Azerbaijan established two nation-wide trafficking hotlines in 2005. During the reporting period, the government conducted joint seminars with NGOs on trafficking throughout Azerbaijan, demonstrating increased interaction with civil society on trafficking. The State Committee on Women, Children and Families incorporated trafficking prevention into its education and trainings that targeted women from all sectors of society. The anti-trafficking coordinator led the government's inter-agency task force in coordinating communication among agencies.
BAHRAIN (TIER 2 WATCH LIST)
Bahrain is a destination country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of involuntary servitude and sexual exploitation. Men and women from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines migrate willingly to Bahrain to work as laborers or domestic servants, but may be subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude when faced with exorbitant recruitment and transportation fees, withholding of their passports, restrictions on their movement, non-payment of wages, and physical or sexual abuse. Women from Thailand and Eastern Europe are also believed to be trafficked to Bahrain for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor. For instance, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that it assisted 154 Thai women return to Thailand, many of whom are believed to be victims of trafficking.
The Government of Bahrain does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Bahrain is placed on Tier 2 Watch List because its significant efforts to address trafficking in persons, as assessed by this Report, are based largely on pledges of future efforts over the coming six months. Specifically, the government did not enact a comprehensive anti-trafficking law extending labor protection to domestic workers; however, a draft comprehensive anti-trafficking and labor law has been submitted for cabinet approval and should be passed in the near future. Moreover, although the government still has not opened a shelter to house victims of trafficking, the government has taken steps forward, such as allocating a budget and approving a site; the Government of Bahrain should take active measures to ensure that this shelter is opened soon. The government inter-agency committee coordinated the efforts of various ministries to help foreign workers. Bahrain should take measures to enact and enforce the anti-trafficking legislation it has drafted, explore new and additional ways to protect domestic workers, and follow through on commitments to open a shelter for victims of trafficking in the imminent future. Bahrain should also ensure that trafficking victims are not detained and deported.
Prosecution
During the year, Bahrain made some progress in investigating and prosecuting traffickers. Bahrain does not have a comprehensive anti-trafficking law, and did not enact draft legislation that criminalizes all forms of trafficking, although this legislation may be enacted soon. Other sections of the criminal code can be used to prosecute trafficking offenses, but Bahrain did not report any prosecutions or convictions this year. Despite reports that the Public Prosecutor's office received 92 cases this year, the government did not provide evidence that these cases were ever prosecuted. The Ministry of Labor employs mediation practices to resolve complaints before they rise to the level of legal action. The government has supported anti-trafficking training of law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, lawyers, NGO representatives, and employers through workshops. In addition, labor inspectors closed three recruitment agencies for labor violations and placed one on probation. The government should enact its draft legislation and increase investigations and criminal prosecutions of traffickers and recruitment agencies complicit in trafficking.
Protection
Bahrain took some significant measures to improve its protection of trafficking victims since last year. Although Bahrain allocated a budget and land for a shelter, the shelter has yet to be opened. The government does not otherwise provide shelter, medical or psychological care, or legal aid to victims of trafficking. Some illegal foreign workers are detained and deported without adequate protection. Hotlines are available to register complaints from foreign workers, but currently operate only during working hours. The government has instructed police not to return foreign workers to their employers if there is a risk of violence against the worker. Bahrain should significantly improve its protection efforts by extending the hours of hotline operations, and should refrain from deporting victims of trafficking.
Prevention
Bahrain made some progress in its efforts to prevent trafficking in persons. The government distributed multi-lingual brochures detailing workers' rights and assistance resources at airports, health centers, and foreign embassies. The Ministry of Labor also advertised two hotlines in the English-language newspaper. In 2005, the Ministry of Labor conducted seminars, in which both management and laborers participated, at 13 companies at which problems had been reported. The government should take measures to inform employers of the rights of foreign workers and the consequences for violation of these rights. To prevent the non-payment of wages, the Ministry of Labor is working with the banking sector to establish bank accounts for foreign workers so that employers can electronically transfer the workers' paychecks.
BANGLADESH (TIER 2)
Bangladesh is a source and transit country for men, women, and children for the purposes of sexual exploitation, involuntary domestic servitude, child camel jockeying, and debt bondage. Women and children from Bangladesh are trafficked to India and Pakistan for sexual exploitation. Bangladeshi women migrate legally to Gulf states--Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the U.A.E., and Saudi Arabia--for work as domestic servants, but often find themselves in situations of involuntary servitude. In addition, Bangladeshi boys are trafficked to the Gulf to serve as camel jockeys and internally as bonded laborers in the fishing industry. Women and girls from rural areas are trafficked internally for sexual exploitation and domestic servitude. Burmese women trafficked to India for sexual exploitation transit Bangladesh.
The Government of Bangladesh does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Bangladesh continued to make progress on efforts initiated two years ago. The government repatriated 166 child camel jockeys from the U.A.E., rescued 160 children from bonded labor in the fishing industry, launched a broad public awareness campaign, and provided anti-trafficking training to border guards and diplomats. Despite these achievements, Bangladesh continues to face a significant internal and international trafficking problem. Bangladesh should assign greater priority and resources to its law enforcement response to trafficking. It should also institute programs to protect witnesses.
Prosecution
The Government of Bangladesh sustained efforts to punish traffickers in 2005, prosecuting 87 cases and convicting 36 traffickers -- 27 of whom received life sentences. Although the number of
prosecutions increased over 2004, the number of convictions declined. Police also arrested 150
alleged traffickers. Notably, Bangladesh began prosecutions against child camel jockey traffickers. Although a lack of resources hinders investigations, Bangladesh expanded anti-trafficking police units to every district to encourage victims to testify against their traffickers and to compile data on trafficking. In response to inadequately trained police and prosecutors, the government worked with legal experts to provide specialized training to prosecutors and with IOM to develop a trafficking course for the National Police Academy. Despite persistent reports of security personnel complicity in trafficking, the government has investigated only three such cases since June 2004, charging eight officials with trafficking complicity.
Protection
The Government of Bangladesh continued to provide an inadequate level of protection to victims of trafficking over the reporting period. With limited resources, the government supported crisis
centers in hospitals that are open to trafficking victims, but it also relied heavily on NGOs to provide legal, medical, and psychological care to victims. Of the 166 child camel jockeys repatriated from the U.A.E., 144 have returned to their families, 16 are preparing for reunification, and authorities are searching for relatives of the remaining six. Bangladesh should institute a system to protect witnesses from retribution and to encourage more to testify at trials against traffickers.
Prevention
Bangladesh made significant progress in its trafficking prevention efforts throughout the year through broad public awareness campaigns and specialized training. A campaign of public service announcements aired 3,152 television spots and 305 radio announcements warning the public of the dangers of trafficking. The Ministry of Social Welfare also provided anti-trafficking information to micro-credit borrowers, reaching over 400,000 at-risk women. Bangladesh noticeably improved its training efforts, providing entry-level diplomats and over 20,000 border guards with specialized anti-trafficking training. Over 2,100 imams received training on the risks, threats, and modalities of trafficking and 100 imams received training as trainers. As a result, 2,667 imams delivered specific anti-trafficking messages during Friday prayer services in 2005, reaching millions of people.
BELARUS (TIER 2)
Belarus is primarily a source country for women and children trafficked to Europe, North America, the Middle East, Japan, and South Korea for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Reports of men trafficked for forced labor to Russia increased significantly in 2005. IOM assisted an increased number of Belarusian men and women trafficked for sexual exploitation and forced labor over the last year. Traffickers continued to utilize the open border between Russia and Belarus to move victims both eastward and westward.
The Government of Belarus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government adopted amendments to its criminal code to enhance its anti-trafficking enforcement framework and improve victim protection in 2005. Lack of adequate funding for victim protection, however, hampered the government's ability to deliver consistent assistance to victims and undertake new anti-trafficking responsibilities. The government should provide additional training to officials to raise general awareness and improve victim identification throughout Belarus. The government's inter-agency task force on trafficking should meet more regularly to increase coordination and communication among relevant agencies and NGOs and to streamline its anti-trafficking response.
Prosecution
The Government of Belarus continued to strengthen its law enforcement response to trafficking in
2005. The government increased the maximum penalty for convicted traffickers to 15 years and
amended the law to protect trafficking victims from criminal prosecution, but only for victims who cooperated in an investigation and prosecution. During the reporting period, the government stepped up its enforcement efforts by investigating 359 suspected traffickers -- a 56 percent increase from the previous year -- and securing 173 convictions. Sentences ranged from fines to 15 years in prison. In March 2005, the government convicted four individuals for trafficking more than 30 Belarusian women to Europe and Canada via Ukraine; the prosecutor appealed the case to increase their sentences. Reports of law enforcement and border officials' complicity in trafficking continued in 2005. Although the government reportedly pursued a crack-down on all types of border-related corruption, particularly among customs officials, the government failed to report any efforts to investigate or prosecute acts of corruption.
Protection
In August 2005, the government issued an edict that defines the status of trafficking victims and provides protection and medical care for trafficking victims. However, the government did not provide any specific funding to implement these mandated reintegration and rehabilitation services. The Belarus Government relied primarily on NGOs to provide victim assistance, although the government continued to provide some in-kind logistical support. Law enforcement officials significantly increased the number of victim referrals to NGOs and IOM; a total of 563 victims received reintegration assistance from IOM in 2005.
Prevention
In 2005, the government continued to rely primarily on international organizations to disseminate anti-trafficking information. The Ministry of Interior did, however, help raise public awareness by referring appropriate callers to its general information hotline or to an anti-trafficking NGO hotline. In addition, the government periodically ran anti-trafficking awareness advertisements in state media. High-level public officials spoke out against trafficking and acknowledged the seriousness of the problem in Belarus, helping to raise official awareness at the local level. Through a Presidential decree, the government increased regulation of employment, modeling, and marriage agencies to prevent traffickers from fraudulently recruiting victims in 2005. In addition, the government now requires those seeking work or study abroad to obtain permission from the government. Some outside observers noted that the government's recent anti-trafficking actions might negatively affect Belarus citizens traveling for legitimate purposes.
BELGIUM (TIER 1)
Belgium is a destination and transit country for women and children from Central Europe, Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Men are trafficked for exploitive labor in restaurants and sweatshops. Reportedly, trafficking for forced labor and forced begging increased from past low levels. There were reportedly eight domestic servants who were brought to Belgium by diplomatic personnel and then subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude. Six of these cases are in advanced stages of investigation.
The Government of Belgium fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Belgium made appreciable progress to combat trafficking in 2005 by strengthening its anti-trafficking laws to both meet international standards and prohibit child sex tourism, as well as by improving victim protection and raising awareness of the problem. The government continued to vigorously investigate and prosecute trafficking and provided victims with specialized protection and assistance. A more tailored reintegration assistance program for victims would further strengthen the government's response to the trauma suffered by victims. The government should publish full statistical evidence illustrating that traffickers receive substantial punishments commensurate with the heinous nature of the crime to deter traffickers. To supplement existing anti-trafficking efforts, the government should also implement a focused and highly visible demand reduction campaign aimed at potential clients to emphasize the link between prostitution and sex trafficking.
Prosecution
The Government of Belgium continued to improve its law enforcement response to trafficking during the reporting period. In 2004, the government investigated 276 cases of trafficking and convicted at least 50 traffickers, but was unable at the time of this Report to provide full data on sentences for 2004. In 2005, the government amended its trafficking law to harmonize it with prevailing international standards on trafficking. Penalties for trafficking carry a maximum penalty of 10 to 20 years' imprisonment. In a landmark case in October 2005, a Pakistani national received eight years' imprisonment and a 55,000 Euro fine for running a trafficking network in Belgium. In addition in 2005, for the first time the government prosecuted a sex tourist, sentencing a Belgian national to 10 years in prison for sexually abusing over 200 children in Thailand over a 20-year period. Although forced or bonded labor within Belgium's diplomatic community was reported to be a problem, there were delays with the government's investigation and prosecution of these reported cases. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs actively issued 10 sanctions, and 20 letters of intent to sanction to accredited diplomats over the past two years. During the reporting period, the government provided protection and residence to the victims involved in these cases in exchange for their cooperation in ongoing investigations. In 2005, the Ministry of Justice conducted/organized specialized training for magistrates handling trafficking cases. There were no reports of officials' complicity in trafficking over the last year.
Protection
The Belgian Government in 2005 continued to subsidize three specialized trafficking shelters
providing assistance to victims of trafficking, and NGOs continued to report excellent cooperation and coordination with law enforcement. NGOs praised Belgium's family reunification efforts for trafficking victims; in 2005, the government reunited a Romanian mother with her two children, providing them with significant support. During 2005, the three shelters cared for 198 trafficking victims. The government continued to provide victims a 45-day "reflection" period of care during which they could consider whether to assist in the investigation of their traffickers; subsequent government protection was linked to a victim's willingness to testify. In practice, the Belgian government granted permanent residency to many victims who assisted in prosecutions. Over a third of the current residents in Belgium's shelters have been granted indefinite residence status and thus qualify for the full social benefits available to Belgian citizens, including access to job training, rehabilitation, and medical treatment.
Prevention
Belgium sustained strong efforts to prevent new incidents of trafficking. In 2005, the government established a new smuggling and trafficking analysis center to coordinate its anti-trafficking response. In 2005, the government launched a public awareness campaign on the exploitation of children using billboards in public transit and other areas of public space. The government continued to co-sponsor an awareness raising campaign to warn and educate Belgian travelers about child sex tourism. The Ministry of Labor continued to conduct periodic workplace raids in high trafficking exploitation industries. Belgium continued to fund regional and global anti-trafficking prevention campaigns in source countries.
BELIZE (TIER 3)
Belize is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of labor and sexual exploitation. Women and girls are trafficked to Belize, mainly from Central America, and exploited in prostitution. Children are trafficked to Belize for labor exploitation. Belize's largely unmonitored borders with Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico facilitate the movement of illegal migrants who are vulnerable to traffickers. Girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, sometimes with the consent and complicity of their close relatives. There are also unconfirmed reports that Indian and Chinese migrants are trafficked for involuntary servitude in homes and shops.
The Government of Belize does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. Belize failed to show evidence of significant law enforcement or victim protection efforts over the last year. Laws against trafficking remained weak and largely unenforced, adult victims received no attention or assistance, and the government made no significant effort to raise public awareness and work with vulnerable populations.
Prosecution
Anti-trafficking laws remained weak and the government made negligible progress in identifying and punishing traffickers during the reporting period. Law enforcement officials investigated five trafficking cases, prosecuted three, and convicted two traffickers. The country's anti-trafficking statute provides for a $5,000 fine or imprisonment for one to five years. In practice, recent convictions have resulted in one-year sentences. Penalties for sex crimes are significantly greater and prosecutors could use the more serious charges, when appropriate, against traffickers, but no such instances were confirmed during the reporting period. The National Assembly considered revisions to the Liquor Licensing Act that would bar convicted traffickers from receiving liquor licenses. However, police and prosecutors generally lack the resources needed to pursue anti-trafficking investigations and bring traffickers to trial. Although there are allegations of general corruption in Belize, there were no specific allegations of trafficking complicity; there were no known investigations or prosecutions of public officials for trafficking complicity.
Protection
The Government of Belize's protection services throughout the last year were minimal and did not meet victim needs. The anti-trafficking law provides specific victim protection policies, including temporary legal residence and protection from prosecution for victims willing to testify. However, the government operates no witness protection programs and there were no known attempts to identify foreign victims who might have requested such services. The government offered no programs for shelter or health care services to victims; normally, these costs are only covered if the victim's trafficker is convicted and ordered to pay restitution. Most of the few identified trafficking victims were referred to battered women's shelters or, in the case of minors, a children's home that offers care until the children can be returned to their homes. The government provided full assistance (shelter, medical aid, and financial help) to one Belizean child victim returned from El Salvador.
Prevention
The government failed to carry out any significant trafficking prevention efforts during the period. Prevention awareness and sensitivity training fall almost exclusively to organizations outside the government, such as IOM, the Organization of American States, ECPAT, and some public media outlets. The anti-trafficking committee completed a first draft of a National Plan of Action and submitted the plan to the Cabinet in December 2005. The government cites lack of resources as a primary factor in its failure to do more.
BENIN (TIER 2)
Benin is a source, transit, and destination country for children trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation. According to the ILO, the vast majority of Beninese victims are trafficked within Benin, while most of the remaining victims are trafficked to Nigeria, Gabon, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Niger. A much smaller number of victims are trafficked to Benin from Niger, Togo, and Burkina Faso. Children are trafficked as domestic servants, plantation laborers, and street vendors, and for work in commercial enterprises, the handicraft industry, and construction.
The Government of Benin does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. To strengthen its response to trafficking, the government should promulgate and enforce its anti-trafficking legislation and increase protection and prevention efforts.
Prosecution
The Government of Benin has demonstrated increased efforts to combat trafficking through law enforcement in the last year. The National Assembly passed a law prohibiting child trafficking in January 2006, though the government still needs to promulgate the law before it can be enforced. The Ministry of Justice established a new statistical unit that has begun to collect trafficking crime statistics. From January to October 2005, the government used older statutes to prosecute 83 trafficking cases, 20 of which have resulted in convictions and prison terms of three months to one year. The government is working with UNICEF to form a steering committee responsible for overseeing the drafting of a Children's Code to provide increased legal protection to children. Benin signed a bilateral agreement with Nigeria in June 2005 and a multilateral agreement with eight other West African nations in July 2005. The Police Minors' Protection Brigade (BPM) actively investigates trafficking, but is handicapped by a lack of resources. While the government has not initiated trafficking training for law enforcement, the BPM participated in a UNICEF-sponsored training.
Protection
The Government of Benin continued to provide minimal protection to trafficking victims over the last year. Although the government does not operate its own shelter, police and ministry officials work with NGOs and international organizations to provide victims with care. Most victims are first taken into custody by the BPM, where they are interviewed before being referred to NGO shelters for care. These interviews are conducted by law enforcement officials without the involvement of skilled counselors. Law enforcement authorities intercepted 140 victims in 2005 and repatriated 15 victims to Togo and Nigeria. The Ministry of the Family also cooperates with international organizations, NGOs, and a network of 1,141 local anti-trafficking committees throughout the country to provide victim care. For example, the Ministry works with UNICEF to help reintegrate repatriated Beninese victims at a vocational training center. However, a shelter built in Benin by a foreign donor over a year ago with the capacity to hold 160 victims remains unused. Victims are not punished for crimes directly related to being trafficked.
Prevention
The Government of Benin continued to make limited efforts to raise public awareness about trafficking. The government has collaborated with UNICEF to hire a consultant to assist with drafting a national action plan to combat child trafficking. While the inter-ministerial committee to combat trafficking has not met regularly, the government plans to restructure and strengthen this committee in 2006. The government has collaborated with NGOs and international organizations to raise awareness about trafficking. For example, the Ministry of Labor, together with ILO-IPEC and seven domestic union organizations, sponsored campaigns to educate employers to respect child labor laws.
BOLIVIA (TIER 2 WATCH LIST)
Bolivia is a source and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of labor and sexual exploitation. Victims are primarily trafficked within the country, but a significant number are also trafficked to neighboring South American countries and to Spain. Many victims are minors trafficked internally for sexual exploitation, forced mining, and agricultural labor. Bolivian workers have been trafficked to sweatshops in Argentina and Brazil, and to Chile for involuntary servitude. Illegal migrants from Asia transit Bolivia; some may be trafficking victims.
The Government of Bolivia 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 clear progress in several key areas over the last year and, as a result, moved up from Tier 3. Bolivia is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in the areas of trafficking prosecutions and victim protection. Nevertheless, during the reporting period, government officials demonstrated increased resolve to combat trafficking and a heightened understanding of the problem. The government enacted anti-trafficking laws, raised public awareness, and increased trafficking investigations. The government should intensify efforts to investigate and prosecute traffickers, work with NGOs and local governments to raise public awareness, and increase victim assistance.
Prosecution
The Government of Bolivia made modest but increasing efforts to strengthen and enforce laws against trafficking during the reporting period. It enacted penal code reforms against commercial sexual exploitation of minors and criminalized all forms of trafficking, setting trafficking penalties of eight to 12 years' imprisonment. Special anti-trafficking police and prosecutor units in La Paz investigated 25 new cases against traffickers from June to December 2005, prosecuted seven, and obtained one conviction. Law enforcement used statutes against trafficking, corruption of minors, kidnapping, and pimping pending enactment of the new anti-trafficking legislation. The government also established anti-trafficking police units in the cities of Santa Cruz and Cochabamba. Authorities relied on outside sources to provide anti-trafficking training for police, prosecutors, and judges. A severe lack of resources hampered the government's ability to combat trafficking more effectively. Corruption, otherwise endemic in Bolivia, was not identified as a major factor in trafficking; there were no reports of officials involved in trafficking.
Protection
The government slightly increased protection efforts during the reporting year, but services were inadequate overall and unavailable to many trafficking victims. Severely limited funding for social welfare programs resulted in the absence of government operated or supported shelters for trafficking victims. The government relied upon municipal authorities to furnish legal services, emergency shelter, counseling, and health care to trafficking victims. The city of La Paz opened an emergency shelter and a local hotline that served hundreds of victims of abuse and commercial sexual exploitation. Law enforcement referred victims to the emergency shelter or NGOs for assistance. Family Protection Brigade Units in cities like Cochabamba provided short-term care and shelter to some trafficking victims; such units were constrained by an acute lack of resources.
Prevention
The government made limited progress in trafficking prevention activities during the reporting
period. National leaders, including acting President Rodriguez, spoke out against trafficking. They also created an inter-ministerial commission to coordinate anti-trafficking policies and worked with municipal authorities and schools to increase public awareness of the dangers of trafficking. Most prevention activities were left to NGOs and international organizations.
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (TIER 2)
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a country of origin, transit, and destination for women and girls trafficked internationally and domestically for the purpose of sexual exploitation. There were some reports of trafficking of Roma children within BiH for forced labor. Victims primarily originate from Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania; other source countries include Russia and Serbia and Montenegro. As in most countries in the region, traffickers targeted younger victims and trafficking occurred increasingly underground, from cafes and gas stations to private apartments and homes.
The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated increased efforts to address trafficking during the reporting period, particularly in the area of victim protection. In 2005, the BiH Government actively investigated trafficking cases and improved law enforcement capacity through specialized training on recognition and investigation. The government successfully implemented a formal victim screening and referral process. The government increased the number of trafficking investigations; however, sentences for trafficking remained low or suspended. While it achieved a high rate of convictions, the BiH Government should be more proactive in aggressively prosecuting trafficking crimes by ensuring penalties are sufficient to deter traffickers. The government should also increase efforts to address trafficking related complicity of public officials. Overall, the government demonstrated significant progress and has laid the groundwork for greater future success.
Prosecution
The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina significantly increased its law enforcement efforts in
2005 by conducting 70 investigations, up from 47 the previous year; the 70 new investigations
involved 118 defendants. The government prosecuted 22 cases, of which 19 resulted in convictions; 12 convicted traffickers received suspended sentences. Three cases resulted in acquittals. Length of sentences imposed by the courts increased slightly; in February 2006, courts handed down a five and a half year sentence, the second-longest sentence for trafficking in Bosnia. However, judges continued to use suspended sentences in the majority of trafficking cases, often a result of plea agreements. In a September 2005 case that resulted in the death of a Ukrainian victim in 2004, the government failed to ensure punishment that adequately reflected the heinous nature of the offense; the primary traffickers were sentenced to less than three years, far below the maximum available penalty for trafficking. Active coordination of the anti-trafficking strike force with police and prosecutors resulted in four successful raids in 2005. The State Border Service (SBS) trained its officers at airports and border crossings on victim identification, interviewing techniques, and referral procedures. All officers consulted a screening questionnaire to assist them in evaluating victims. There were isolated instances over the reporting period of low-level officers taking bribes and facilitating trafficking. The government launched three new investigations into official complicity in trafficking; two investigations involving three officers from the previous reporting period remained ongoing. The government has yet to issue an indictment or officially charge any officials for their involvement in trafficking.
Protection
The BiH Government took concrete steps to improve its victim protection efforts over the last year. The government implemented a victim referral agreement with NGOs for screening, identifying, and assisting foreign victims. The government increased funding for victim protection and signed an memorandum of understanding with five NGOs to provide victims with shelter and counseling. NGOs and IOM reported assisting a total of 88 victims in 2005. Trafficking victims identified and referred by the government automatically qualify for three month temporary residency, making BiH one of the few countries in Europe to allow some form of residency for trafficking victims.
Prevention
The Office of the State Coordinator assisted in the development and implementation of public awareness and prevention campaigns in 2005. This included a major national campaign targeting both potential consumers and young victims. In 2005, the State Coordinator participated in local capacity building to respond to trafficking and helped raise awareness about child begging and forced labor of Roma children. The government, with substantive input from NGOs and other relevant stakeholders, developed, disseminated, and began implementation of its 2005-2007 National Action Plan, and approved a 2006 Plan in February 2006. NGOs and international organizations cite excellent cooperation with the State Coordinator, who chairs a regular working group of NGOs and international organizations to assess implementation of victim protection and prevention efforts. The State Coordinator continued to publish an annual report on trafficking, which includes data collected from law enforcement and NGOs throughout BiH.
BRAZIL (TIER 2 WATCH LIST)
Brazil is a source and destination country for women and children trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation, and for men trafficked for forced labor. Women and girls are trafficked for sexual exploitation within Brazil and to destinations in South America, the Caribbean, Western Europe, Japan, the U.S., and the Middle East. Approximately 70,000 Brazilians, mostly women, are engaged in prostitution in foreign countries; some are trafficking victims. Child sex tourism is a problem within the country, particularly in the resort areas and coastal cities of Brazil's northeast. An estimated 25,000 Brazilian victims, mostly men, are trafficked within the country for forced agricultural labor. Some foreign victims from Bolivia, Peru, China, and Korea are trafficked to Brazil for labor exploitation in factories but the number of foreign victims is much smaller than the number of Brazilians trafficked from or within the country.
The Government of Brazil does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Brazil is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to fight trafficking, specifically for its failure to apply effective criminal penalties against traffickers who exploit forced labor. However, the government did enact reforms to modernize and strengthen laws against some types of trafficking and continued to work with destination countries to disrupt international trafficking networks. The government should make appreciable progress in increasing prosecutions and convictions of traffickers, and institute and implement more effective criminal penalties for forced labor trafficking.
Prosecution
The Government of Brazil made marginal progress in bringing traffickers to justice during the reporting period. The government increased trafficking-related arrests and investigations, in cooperation with foreign governments, which led to convictions of foreign nationals by their host governments. There was only one reported prosecution in Brazil that resulted in a conviction at the national level for a trafficking-related crime during the reporting period -- a decrease from three convictions obtained in 2004. Although the government increased personnel dedicated to investigations of forced labor operations and rescued 4,113 forced labor victims in 2005, violators of forced labor laws enjoyed virtual impunity from criminal prosecution. However, there were some unconfirmed reports that traffickers were convicted at the state level and in state labor courts for trafficking-related crimes. The government enacted criminal code reforms that broaden the definition of trafficking to cover victims of both sexes, and provide the same penalties for both internal and international trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. The crime of trafficking for sexual exploitation now carries a three- to eight-year penalty that increases in aggravated circumstances, such as acts involving young victims, abuse of authority, violence, or serious injury. Criminal code reforms did not add trafficking for forced labor to Brazilian law's definition of trafficking. Criminal statutes against slavery that can be used against traffickers for forced labor carry a possible prison term of one to three years and a fine, but forced labor cases are rarely prosecuted. Federal authorities arrested 180 trafficking suspects and investigated five cases in 2005. Borders agents began to screen for potential victims. The Federal Police continued to work with counterparts in Portugal, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Mexico, and the United States on trafficking cases that involved the exploitation of Brazilian victims abroad and arrested 56 suspects in Brazil as a result of these joint investigations. There was no evidence of institutional complicity in trafficking, but isolated instances of officials employing slave labor were reported. In the only confirmed prosecution during the period, a senator was convicted and fined for exploiting workers in slave-like conditions.
Protection
The Brazilian government made significant efforts to protect victims during the reporting period. The government cooperated with a number of shelters or health care facilities specifically dedicated to trafficking victims and workers at more than 600 victim assistance centers throughout the country were trained to assist trafficking victims, in addition to victims of other crimes such as domestic violence. Referral centers with multidisciplinary staff offered psychological and social assistance and referred victims to appropriate health and legal services. An additional network of over 400 centers evaluated and referred at-risk children, including child victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex tourism. The State of Sao Paulo continued working with an NGO to provide victim support to Brazilian women and girls returning through Sao Paulo from trafficking situations abroad. Several other state offices also referred trafficking victims to NGOs, although NGOs noted problems in some of these referral systems. The government also continued training its diplomatic personnel to recognize and assist trafficking victims. In general, the rights of victims were respected and foreign victims who were material witnesses in their trafficker's prosecution could obtain other employment or leave the country.
Prevention
The government sustained progress through strong efforts to raise public awareness and train officials. It continued major awareness campaigns to combat sex tourism, forced labor, and commercial sexual exploitation, and high level government officials spoke out against trafficking. In new initiatives, the government trained 360 law enforcement officials, including highway patrol officers, and civil servants to identify and assist trafficking victims. The government worked with the University of Brasilia to introduce a correspondence course that focused on trafficking and trained 600 professionals. Authorities also worked closely with NGOs, the ILO, and the UN on prevention, capacity building, and protection projects.
BULGARIA (TIER 2)
Bulgaria is a source, transit, and destination country for women and girls trafficked from Romania, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Lebanon, and Central Asia to and through Bulgaria to Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Kosovo, and Macedonia for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Roma children were trafficked within Bulgaria and abroad for purposes of forced begging and petty theft. In 2005, Austrian authorities identified 700 Roma children trafficked from Bulgaria to Austria for forced begging and commercial sexual exploitation. The Ministry of Interior noted an increase of men and boys trafficked for purpose of labor exploitation.
The Government of Bulgaria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Bulgaria took several steps to improve its law enforcement efforts in 2005. The government amended its Constitution to allow for the extradition of Bulgarian citizens for crimes committed abroad, including human trafficking; the government also adopted asset forfeiture legislation to serve as a further trafficking deterrent. Although Bulgaria partially implemented its witness protection legislation and protected some trafficking victims in 2005, a number of victims that cooperate with police still received only partial protection. Bulgaria continued to make progress in its anti-trafficking efforts, although corruption and a failure to fully separate human trafficking from human smuggling continued to be challenges. The government should continue to strengthen its statistics collection system and segregate trafficking data from trafficking-related statistics. Police should vigorously investigate, trafficking related corruption among government officials.
Prosecution
The Government of Bulgaria made considerable progress in its law enforcement efforts to combat trafficking. Authorities conducted 134 sexual exploitation investigations and seven labor exploitation investigations in 2005. Sixty-three traffickers were formally indicted in 2005, up from 27 in 2004. In 2005, courts convicted 34 traffickers, an increase from seven in 2004. Convicted traffickers generally served the full sentences mandated by the court; the punishment for trafficking in Bulgaria ranges from one to 10 years in prison. In 2005, the Bulgarian Border Police cooperated in 20 investigations with law enforcement authorities of several destination countries. Corruption among border guards and customs officials remains a concern; one police officer was indicted for forced prostitution.
Protection
The Bulgarian Government continued to provide a high level of victim assistance and protection during the reporting period. All victims in Bulgaria are eligible for free medical and psychological care provided through public hospitals and NGOs. Foreign victims who choose to cooperate with trafficking investigations are provided with full residency and employment rights until the end of the criminal proceedings. Foreign victims who choose not to cooperate in trafficking investigations are permitted to stay in Bulgaria for one month plus 10 days before repatriation to their country of origin. The government does not offer legal alternatives to the removal of victims to countries where they face retribution or hardship. Although the government does not provide funding to NGOs and international organizations, it collaborated with them on identification, referral, and assistance to trafficking victims. Police routinely refer victims to NGOs for assistance.
Prevention
The government and local authorities provided support to the IOM and Bulgarian Red Cross to conduct the "Open Eyes" campaign that aimed to increase awareness of trafficking among high-risk communities using posters, brochures, and commercials on television. Materials were also distributed in more than 950 schools, at major youth events, at all border check points, labor bureaus, and government embassies and consulates. Local education officials allowed NGOs to screen trafficking awareness films in schools and distributed anti-trafficking materials to students. The government adopted a National Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking in 2005.
BURKINA FASO (TIER 2)
Burkina Faso is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation. Burkinabe children are trafficked within Burkina Faso as well as to Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo. Nigerian and Malian children are trafficked to Burkina Faso. To a lesser extent, Burkinabe women are trafficked to Europe for sexual exploitation.
The Government of Burkina Faso does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. To strengthen its efforts to combat trafficking, Burkina Faso should educate law enforcement officials about its trafficking law, increase efforts to prosecute and convict traffickers, and strengthen efforts to educate the public about trafficking.
Prosecution
The Government of Burkina Faso continued modest efforts to combat trafficking through law enforcement throughout the last year. Burkinabe law prohibits child trafficking, but there is no law against the trafficking of adults. Out of 44 traffickers detained by police, local vigilance committees, and other security forces in 2005, six were prosecuted and convicted. Most traffickers were released after a short stay in custody. Police failed to follow-up on a case of a Nigerian girl who escaped from forced prostitution in Burkina Faso. The girl was repatriated to Nigeria, but security forces did not attempt to find her traffickers. In a December 2005 public report, the Ministry of Social Action, the lead government agency in combating child trafficking, criticized the Ministry of Justice's lack of progress in addressing trafficking. The government has failed to train Burkinabe prosecutors or security forces on the child trafficking law since its passage in 2003. Burkina Faso signed a multilateral agreement with eight other West African countries to combat trafficking. Under Burkinabe law, while the government may extradite foreign traffickers for prosecution, it is barred from extraditing its own nationals.
Protection
The Government of Burkina Faso continued to make limited efforts to protect trafficking victims, despite limited resources. Police, local vigilance committees, and other security forces intercepted approximately 860 trafficked children in 2005. The government continued to operate 19 transit centers for destitute children, including trafficking victims, in collaboration with UNICEF as well as its own center in Ouagadougou. The government continued to help repatriate foreign nationals to their country of origin after a stay of a few days in transit centers and continued to assist with the repatriation of Burkinabe children from Mali and Burkina Faso. The government attempts to return Burkinabe victims to their families soon after placing them in transit centers. While the government generally does not offer services to repatriated Burkinabe child victims, some families of victims receive micro-credit loans to provide an income alternative to their child's labor. The government did not punish victims for unlawful acts that were a direct result of their being trafficked.
Prevention
The government continued to make limited efforts to raise awareness about trafficking, despite the lack of resources to launch an aggressive education campaign. During the year, government officials regularly spoke out against trafficking in persons. The government has undertaken campaigns to educate parents and children about the dangers of trafficking. Although a committee of government and international organization officials drafted a national action plan against trafficking in 2002, it has yet to be adopted by the Cabinet.
BURMA (TIER 3)
Burma is a source country for women and men trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation. Burmese men, women, and children are trafficked to Thailand, the People's Republic of China (the P.R.C.), Bangladesh, Malaysia, Korea, and Macau for sexual exploitation, domestic service, and forced labor -- including commercial labor. A significant number of men, women, and children from Burma are economic migrants who wind up in forced or bonded labor and forced prostitution. To a lesser extent, Burma is a country of transit and destination for women trafficked from the P.R.C. for sexual exploitation. There are some cases of persons trafficked from Bangladesh to Malaysia and from the P.R.C. to Thailand through Burma. Internal trafficking of persons occurs primarily for labor in industrial zones and agricultural estates. Internal trafficking of women and girls for sexual exploitation occurs from villages to urban centers and other areas, such as truck stops, fishing villages, border towns, and mining and military camps. The military junta's economic mismanagement, human rights abuses, and its policy of using forced labor are driving factors behind Burma's large trafficking problem.
The Government of Burma does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. Significant state use of internal forced labor -- a form of trafficking -- continued, especially by the military. The Burmese military is directly involved in trafficking for forced labor and there are reports that some children were forcibly enlisted into the Burmese Army. Local civil authorities and military forces continued to use forced labor in their areas of control. Beginning in November 2005, the government also ordered civil servants to relocate without their families to the country's new capital. The Burmese Government charged 10 officials with forced labor violations in 2005 but allowed officials to counter sue their accusers, in some cases resulting in harsher penalties for the complainants of forced labor than for the culpable officials. Because of these governmental actions, the ILO stopped accepting new cases documenting forced labor abuses in Burma. Since April 2005, there has been no evidence that the Burmese Government is willing to take steps to investigate and prosecute cases of forced labor. In the last year, the government took some steps to combat trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation, including passing a comprehensive anti-trafficking law, holding a national seminar, and conducting training for law enforcement officers.
Prosecution
The Burmese Government made minimal progress in prosecuting trafficking-related cases, especially cases involving trafficking for sexual or labor exploitation. In September 2005, Burma passed an anti-trafficking in persons law that covers sexual exploitation, forced labor, slavery, servitude, and debt bondage. The anti-trafficking law applies to internal and external trafficking and carries penalties of 10 years' minimum to life imprisonment. Penalties for sexual and labor exploitation are the same. This law is not used effectively, however, because the Burmese judiciary is corrupt and lacks resources and independence. In 2005, the Burmese Government claims it prosecuted 426 traffickers in 203 cases under the new law and identified 844 victims; an indeterminate number of these cases actually involved severe forms of trafficking in persons. The government did not take action, however, against military or civilian officials who engaged in forced labor, and the ILO stopped submitting cases for investigations in April 2005. During the reporting period, the government expanded the Police Anti-Trafficking Unit from 40 to 65 officers stationed in Rangoon and in border towns to monitor trafficking. Corruption continued to be a major problem. Although local and regional officials, primarily along the borders, were suspected of complicity in trafficking, the government reported no prosecutions of corrupt officials related to trafficking. The Burmese military continued to carry out forced labor, including forced portering.
Protection
The Burmese Government provided basic reintegration assistance to victims. The government continued to refer victims to the few NGOs and international organizations providing protection for victims of trafficking, including a repatriation center on the Thai-Burmese border. The government in 2005 proposed new restrictions on all NGOs and international organizations, thereby risking the ability of these organizations to care for repatriated victims. The Burmese Government coordinated with international NGOs a limited number of government-to government repatriations of victims from Thailand, China, and Malaysia. The government provided compensation to victims trafficked internally for forced labor in one case only, and did not fund international or domestic NGOs providing victim protective services. In forced labor cases, the law does not protect victims seeking justice from counter suit filed by accused officials. Successful counter-suits result in criminal penalties for the victims. The Central Police Training Institute developed a teaching curriculum on trafficking.
Prevention
Burma's efforts to prevent trafficking remained inadequate. Governmental measures to prevent
trafficking for sexual exploitation include publicizing the dangers in border areas via governments sponsored discussion groups, distribution of printed materials, and media programming. The government conducted training for law enforcement officers on the new anti-trafficking law and awareness workshops at the national and local levels on the dangers of trafficking for the purposes of labor and sexual exploitation.
BURUNDI (TIER 2)
Burundi is a source country for children trafficked for the purposes of child soldiering and forced
labor. The country is emerging from a 12-year civil war in which government and rebel forces used approximately 7,000 children in a variety of capacities, including as cooks, porters, spies, sex slaves, and combatants. In contrast with past years, there were no reports over the last year that the Burundian security services used children as soldiers or sex slaves, although there were infrequent reports that some soldiers continued to force children to perform menial tasks. The one rebel faction that remains outside the peace process, the PALIPEHUTU-FNL, continued to recruit children from the four provinces in which it operates and used them as child soldiers in Burundi's ongoing internal civil conflict. Burundian children may be trafficked internally, as well as to neighboring countries, for forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation.
The Government of Burundi does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. To improve its anti-trafficking efforts, the government should take steps to bring to justice those who continue to forcibly conscript and utilize child soldiers, and investigate the nature of child commercial sexual exploitation within the country. Government forces should immediately cease using children to perform any sort of military function or menial tasks and swiftly punish soldiers who do so.
Prosecution
The government's anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts in 2005 focused on sensitizing public officials against the use of child soldiers; there were no investigations or prosecutions of trafficking cases. Burundi has no law specifically prohibiting trafficking in persons, but laws against kidnapping, slavery, smuggling, and prostitution outlaw most forms of trafficking. In 2005, the National Structure for Child Soldiers (SNES) provided training on child soldier demobilization and reintegration to newly elected local government officials and over 750 new military officers from former rebel groups. The military also received training on respecting human rights from the UN Mission in Burundi and human rights organizations. During the year, the Ministry of Defense instructed military officers to punish soldiers found to be forcing children and other civilians to perform menial tasks; punishments meted out included the performance of extra duties, docking of pay, and confinement to quarters or the brig for up to one week. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that soldiers with such discipline problems would be among the first to leave during "downsizing" of the security services over the next year.
Protection
Ongoing combat between government security services and PALIPEHUTU-FNL limited the government's ability to demobilize and rehabilitate child soldiers; however, the government provided significant assistance to child soldiers in regions under its control. The government and the six former rebel groups that are part of the Burundian peace process, together with the World Bank, UNICEF, the UN Mission in Burundi, and local and international NGOs, demobilized an additional 108 children during the reporting period, bringing the total of demobilized children to 3,028 since December 2004. The government, with financial and technical assistance from these partners, provided 18 months of family-based medical, psycho-social, educational, and other material support to 3,013 demobilized child soldiers. In addition, more than 1,300 of these children were provided with vocational skills training, including carpentry, auto mechanics, animal husbandry, and farming techniques, as possessing viable productive skills deters children from rejoining rebel groups. Other demobilized children were given loans to open small shops or build houses.
Prevention
During the reporting period, the SNES, working with its international partners, significantly expanded its public awareness programming to combat the recruitment and use of child soldiers. While the first year of these campaigns provided the public with a broad overview of the child soldier issue, their focus was refined in 2005 to center on the prevention of re-recruitment of children by rebels; HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness raising among former child soldiers; and helping former child soldiers adjust to civilian life. The SNES employed 133 full-time trainers who conducted at least three seminars a week in each province on these topics. The government also ran media campaigns on public and private radio stations. At the local level, the SNES continued to use trained civil society organizations, churches, and local associations to advocate in their communes against the recruitment of child soldiers and conduct public seminars on children's rights and the reintegration of former child soldiers into local communities.
CAMBODIA (TIER 2 WATCH LIST)
Cambodia is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. A significant number of Cambodian women and children are trafficked to Thailand and Malaysia for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Cambodian men are trafficked primarily to Thailand for forced labor in the construction and agricultural sectors -- particularly the fishing industry -- while Cambodian women and girls are trafficked for factory and domestic work. A significant number of Cambodian children are trafficked to Vietnam and Thailand for the purpose of forced begging. Cambodia is a transit and destination point for women from Vietnam trafficked for sexual exploitation. Trafficking for sexual exploitation also occurs within Cambodia's borders, from rural areas to the country's capital, Phnom Penh, and other secondary cities in the country.
The Government of Cambodia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cambodia is placed on Tier 2 Watch List because the determination that it is making significant efforts is based in part on commitments to sustain progress over the coming year. During the last year, the Cambodian Government stepped up efforts to arrest, prosecute, and convict traffickers. Police actions increased over the last year, resulting in a raid and subsequent shutdown of a notorious hotel/brothel where trafficking victims were found. The owner of the brothel was later prosecuted and convicted. Although Cambodia's anti-trafficking efforts remained hampered by corruption at all levels of government and an ineffectual judicial system, the Cambodian Government made efforts to address trafficking-related official corruption by arresting and initiating prosecutions of two anti-trafficking unit police officials and two provincial police officials. The Ministry of Interior (MOI) also developed a National Action Plan to eradicate trafficking in persons and is in the process of creating a memorandum of understanding with NGOs to regulate the handling of trafficking victims. The Cambodian Government should make greater efforts to prosecute and convict public officials who profit from or are involved in trafficking and should also pass and enact comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation.
Prosecution
During the reporting period, the Cambodian Government made clear progress in its anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts. Cambodia does not have a comprehensive anti-trafficking law but it used existing statutes to prosecute traffickers. A comprehensive anti-trafficking bill that provides law enforcement and judicial officials with enhanced powers to arrest and prosecute traffickers is nearing final government approval in 2006. Penalties for trafficking of persons over the age of 15 for sexual exploitation carry sentences of up to 15 years' imprisonment, while penalties for trafficking of persons under 15 years of age for sexual exploitation carry sentences of up to 20 years' imprisonment. In 2005, the Cambodian police reported conducting 67 operations, resulting in the arrest of 111 perpetrators and the rescue of 164 victims. The Ministry of Justice reported the prosecution and conviction of at least 45 traffickers during the year, double the number in 2004. Cases, for the most part, were generated by the efforts of NGOs. Corruption, lack of training and funding for law enforcement, and a weak judiciary remain the most serious impediments to the effective prosecution of traffickers. There are reports that corrupt police officials continue to leak information to brothel/karaoke operators about upcoming police raids. Responding to reports of complicity of public officials in trafficking, the government initiated action against four officials in mid-2005 for trafficking-related corruption. The government, in cooperation with international organizations and NGOs, conducted training for police officers on investigation techniques, surveillance, and case preparation and management of trafficking cases. Despite past U.S. funding for training of the Police Anti-Trafficking Department, it has conducted only a limited number of proactive investigations over the last year.
Protection
The Cambodian Government in 2005 continued to provide limited assistance to victims. The government referred victims to NGOs and international organizations, and operated two temporary shelters for victims through the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSAVY). The Cambodian Government relied primarily on foreign and domestic NGOs to provide protective services to victims although on occasion, it provided in-kind support to NGOs, such as land, office space, and staff. The government continued to support an NGO that has primary responsibility for placement of trafficking victims in long-term shelters.
Prevention
The government made modest efforts to promote awareness of trafficking during the reporting period. Working with NGOs and international organizations, the Cambodian government implemented a campaign in most parts of the country to raise public awareness regarding the dangers of trafficking through public meetings, posters, television and radio campaigns, and the use of traditional Cambodian theater. The Ministry of Women's Affairs collaborated with IOM to expand a nationwide anti-trafficking information and advocacy campaign that included district-level meetings with government officials and the distribution of educational materials and videos. The MOI's Anti-Trafficking Police Unit also conducted intervention programs to teach students about the risks of trafficking and their rights under the law.
CAMEROON (TIER 2 )
Cameroon is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for labor and sexual exploitation. The majority of child victims are trafficked within the country, although some are also trafficked from Cameroon to Nigeria, Gabon, and the Central African Republic and to Cameroon from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Benin, and Niger. Children are trafficked for domestic servitude and street vending; as forced laborers on tea, cocoa, banana, and rubber plantations; for forced work in spare-parts shops; and for commercial sexual exploitation. A smaller number of women and girls are trafficked to Equatorial Guinea and Europe for sexual exploitation, often lured away by fraudulent marriage proposals.
The Government of Cameroon does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. To strengthen its response to trafficking, the government should educate law enforcement officials and the public about its new anti-trafficking law and increase efforts to prevent trafficking.
Prosecution
The Government of Cameroon demonstrated increased progress in combating trafficking through law enforcement means over the past year. In December 2005, the government enacted a statute proh
