Trafficking, prostitution and illegal entry

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Briefing on Human Trafficking and Prostitution
in Kosovo
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Points to be covered

• Trafficking and victims, definitions and history
• Trafficking Human Beings Inv. Section, mandate,
  mission statement and role
• Off Limits list for Kosovo, formulation and
  implementation

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TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS A PROBLEM IN KOSOVO?

• Since October 2000 Trafficking in persons and
  prostitution in Kosovo is priority for UNMIK.
• Economic and general instability of the region
  was ideal environment for these offences to
  flourish.

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What is Human Trafficking?

• Recruitment
• Transportation
• Exploitation

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SMUGGLING VS. TRAFFICKING

• Will
• Smuggled Migrants wish to cross international
  borders.
• Victims of Trafficking (VoTs) may be
  unaware/deceived.
• Border
• Smuggling has to include the crossing of an
  international border.
• VoTs can be internal trafficked without crossing
  international borders.
• Exploitation
• Not relevant for act of smuggling
• To exploit the victims is the reason for the
  trafficking

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What does it mean - to be trafficked?

• You Pay for a Night She Pays with her Life
• A friend of mine told me about an agency
  offering jobs in ItalyWe traveled into Serbia.
• They took my passport away.
• In the apartment, they locked the door.
• I ran but one of the buyers caught me, he hit
  me hard across the face and then he pushed me on
  the bed.
• He ripped my clothes and as I thought it
  became worse...

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What does it mean - to be trafficked?
Police and KFOR came into the bar for checking
many times, they asked us questions but we were
too scared, the owner was watching us and showing
them the contract HE signed us on. One day they
came again, the owner was not there, since I
spoke a little English all the others pushed me
forward tell them to take us out of here" they
told me. (20 year old Bulgarian rescued from a
brothel in Ferizaj with 11 other women including
her 16year old sister)
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WHY MIGHT SOMEONE BECOME A TRAFFICKED VICTIM?

• Poverty - Economic necessity
• Lack of education
• Gender discrimination
• Opportunity in proposed country of destination
• Fear or threat of violence
• Conflicts and Corruption
• Porous borders

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Victims Profile

• Most of the women who decide to work abroad are
  pushed by economic factors. Mainly, lured by the
  distant glamour and glitters of Western
  Societies.
• Many of the women were partially or fully aware
  of the possibility of being involved in
  sex-related activities.

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Victims Profile
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
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Way into Kosovo
There are two means for women to enter in Kosovo
- illegally smuggled through non-controlled
Border Point, without carrying any official
document - Controlled Border Point, either
carrying proper documentation or false
documents.
Entry points to Kosovo - Serbia 20 -
Macedonia 20 - Montenegro 5 -
Albania 25 - By Air. 40
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Reasons and Methods of Recruitment
Reason for going abroad
- To find a job 83 - Was forced
5 - Relative/Friend visit 6 - Tourism
3 - Unknown 3
Recruiting Methods

• - False Job promise 79
• - Kidnapping 8
• False travel arrangements
• 8
  
  
• - False invitation abroad 3
• - False marriage promise 1
  
• - Unknown 1

Relation with the Recruiter
- None 35 - Acquaintance 46 -
Friend 6 - Relative
2 - Unknown 3 - Boyfriend
4 - Neighbor/Family friend
3 - Husband
1
Gender of the Recruiter - Female
50 - Male 42 - Both 4 -
Unknown 4
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Way out of Trafficking and Rescue

• Rescued during police investigations using
  intelligence led policing.
• Victims managed to escape and seek help.
• Victim was allowed, after several months in the
  same brothel, to leave and search for assistance
  to return home.

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Trafficking for sexual exploitation or
voluntary prostitution

• Brought in Kosovo without their knowledge and/or
  against their will
• Sold and bought
• No freedom of movement
• Sexually exploited
• Threatened /physically attacked.
• Documents taken off.

• Own free will
• Independently contact their employer
• Free to move around
• Never admit to prostitution
• Living conditions are acceptable
• Travel documents as well as tickets

Trafficking constitutes a serious crime
Prostitution is a minor offence
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Applicable law - Trafficking and Prostitution

• Kosovo Criminal Code, art.139
• Law on Public Peace and Order, no. 13/81
• Law on Minor Offences, no. 23/79
• Other international instruments

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Other Actors

• O.S.C.E
• I.O.M
• DOJ - VAAU
• MILITARY POLICE (KFOR)

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Standard of Conduct

• The United Nation Charter requires that all
  personnel must maintain the highest standard of
  integrity and conduct in exercising their
  official duties in the country in which they are
  serving.

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Off Limits List

• It has come in my attention that a
  number of establishments in Kosovo use what
  appear to be a legitimate front to further
  illegal activities such as prostitution. We as
  UNMIK Officers CANNOT be seen as condoning these
  activities in any manner.
• It is for this reason that I am Directing You
  the STAY OUT of such premises for other then
  Official Duty
• (UNMIK Directive for Off Limits Premises,
  Commissioner Albiston, 2001)

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Off Limits List

• Non-compliance of this Directive will result in
  Disciplinary Action.
• The Off Limits List is produced monthly and
  disseminated throughout UNMIK, OSCE, NGO, KFOR
• There are around 200 premises on the list.
• SRSG reiterates a ZERO TOLERANCE on this matter

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THBS CONTACT DETAILS

• Telephone Number 038 504 604 Extn
• MHQ former Police Station II Extn 4984
• Regional Offices
• Pristina former Station II Extn 2612
• Prizren RHQ Extn 8332
• Peje RHQ Extn 3459
• Gnjilane RHQ Extn 7675
• Mitrovica North Station Extn 7491

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THANK YOU