Human Trafficking in [Sweden Street Children in [Sweden] [other countries]Child Prostitution in [Sweden] [other countries] |
Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery In the
first ten years of the 21st Century -
2000 to 2009
Sweden is a destination, and, to a lesser
extent, a transit country for women trafficked from Romania, Russia, Nigeria,
Albania, Tanzania, Thailand, and Estonia for the purpose of commercial sexual
exploitation. Some of these women are trafficked through Sweden to Norway,
Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Women and children from Romania are
trafficked to Sweden for the purpose of forced begging. One man from Ukraine
was trafficked to Sweden for the purpose of begging and petty theft. The Swedish police estimate that 400 to
600 persons are trafficked to Sweden annually, primarily for forced
prostitution. - U.S. State Dept
Trafficking in Persons Report, June, 2009 [full country report] |
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CAUTION: The following links have been
culled from the web to illuminate the situation in ***
FEATURED ARTICLE *** "Harder punishments needed" for men who use sex slaves Johan Linander, the Center Party’s justice spokesman, argues in a report released on Monday that anyone who pays to have sex with a woman who is obviously being held by force should be considered to have raped her. “If one man pays another man who then unlocks a door to a woman, it should be clear what is happening,” says Linander. ***
ARCHIVES *** Bur of Democracy,
Human Rights & Labor - Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005 TRAFFICKING
IN PERSONS – The
country continued to be a transit point, and to a lesser extent a
destination, for trafficked women and children. Many law enforcement
officials and analysts estimated the number of trafficked women at
approximately 500 per year. Victims came primarily from the Baltic region,
Eastern Europe, or Traffickers typically recruited
victims in their countries of origin to work as cleaners, babysitters, or in
similar employment abroad. Once in the country, traffickers isolated and
intimidated victims, and forced them to work as prostitutes in hotels,
restaurants, massage parlors, or private apartments; some were likely locked
up and had their passports confiscated. Concluding
Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 2005 SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING - The Committee notes with appreciation that, following the First
World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in (a) The occurrence of trafficking
in children, prostitution and related issues in UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN - The
Committee notes the efforts of the State party to address the situation of
unaccompanied minors and to enhance the quality of reception and interviewing
for asylum‑seeking children. However, the Committee is concerned
about: (a) The high number of
unaccompanied children having gone missing from the Swedish Migration Board’s
special units for children without custodians; … Critics hit
out at sex law plan Liberal Democrat spokesman David Howarth said a ban was not the answer, arguing that it
could put women in more danger. He
said: "Evidence from Sweden in
making prostitution illegal has shown that it doesn't help in reducing human
trafficking. It, in fact, increases violence against women and makes the
practice of prostitution far more risky for all involved. "Outlawing prostitution completely
will mean that men will be far less likely to come forward to help with
prosecutions for fear of criminalisation
themselves." Swedish
Prostitution Ban An Apparent Enormous Success Sweden appears to have nearly
wiped out prostitution. How? In 1999 Sweden passed legislation that
criminalized the buying of sex, and decriminalized the selling of sex. This law is the only one of its kind
in the world, and it seems to be incredibly successful according to Swedish
officials. The law, which has criminalized the purchase and brokering of
sexual services, provides for up to six years in prison for pimps, up to 10
years for traffickers of prostitutes. The john could face up to six months in
prison if caught in the act. Another relevant aspect of the ban
is the reduction of the number of foreign women now being trafficked into
Sweden for sex. The Swedish government estimates that in the last few years
only 200 to 400 women and girls have been annually trafficked into Sweden for
prostitution, while in neighboring Finland the number is 15,000 to 17,000. Falling Short
of the Mark: An International Study on the Treatment of Human Trafficking
Victims [PDF] SWEDEN - Sweden is complying with its
international obligations under the Trafficking Protocol related to the
protection of victims of human trafficking, and it is a signatory to the
European Trafficking Convention. Since 2004, it has provided for temporary
residency and the possibility of permanent residence for trafficking victims
who assist with prosecutions of their traffickers. While there is government
funding for health care and social services for victims, the civil society
network is not sufficiently integrated and warrants attention to enhance
accessibility for these victims. Special guidelines exist for law enforcement
and immigration officials in dealing with trafficking victims. RESIDENCE - In October 2004, Sweden amended
the Aliens Act to enable prosecutors to obtain timelimited
residence permits for trafficking victims who cooperate in the criminal
investigation of traffickers. Police reported that a decrease in the number
of deportations took place following the enactment of this legislation.
Depending on the complexity of the investigation or if the judgment is
appealed, the time-limited residence may be extended upon application by the
prosecutor. Upon expiry of the temporary permit, the trafficking victim may
apply for a permanent residence permit. Four
Russians Arrested in Sweden Over Human Trafficking Swedish prosecutors have charged a
group of 24 Russians and Swedes with human trafficking, pimping and buying
sex from nine Russian women, the AFP news agency reports. The prosecutor said he was only
able to prove human trafficking in one of the cases and said the other eight
women had come from Russia to Sweden of their own will. Modern
day slave trade: Human trafficking continues, even in the U.S. In an effort to stop human
trafficking in Sweden, government officials have vigilantly fought against
and punished those participating in the commercial sex industry. As a result,
the nation has seen the both the number of prostitutes and victims of human
trafficking diminish significantly. Sweden
planning special envoy on human trafficking “The fact that trafficking in
human beings is taking place in Sweden, in the Baltic Sea countries or in the
world as a whole is an unacceptable phenomenon,” he said, adding that
trafficking also has links with “other serious international crime”. The ambassador will be based in Stockholm
and will work closely with international and multilateral organisations,
as well as other countries and development agencies. Sweden has previously appointed special
ambassadors on terrorism, human rights and humanitarian issues. Co-operation
to Stop Sex Traffic The Swedish police have begun
working with their counterparts in Kosovo to stop a gang responsible for sex
trafficking. The co-operation follows the
case of a 17-year-old girl kidnapped from Kosovo and brought to "Harder
punishments needed" for men who use sex slaves Johan Linander,
the Center Party’s justice spokesman, argues in a report released on Monday
that anyone who pays to have sex with a woman who is obviously being held by
force should be considered to have raped her.
“If one man pays another man who then unlocks a door to a woman, it
should be clear what is happening,” says Linander. Key US Gulf Allies Cited in Human Trafficking Report www.voanews.com/english/archive/2005-06/2005-06-03-voa43.cfm?CFID=78215800&CFTOKEN=43948633 At one time this article had been archived
and may possibly still be accessible [here]
Mr. Miller also commended Prostitution
in Sweden 2003 - Knowledge, Beliefs & Attitudes Of Key Informants [PDF] [page 50] TRAFFICKING - The national police force
estimates that there were up to 400-600 female victims of trafficking in
Sweden during 2003. That estimate is based on information received,
preliminary investigations, and assumptions about the number of undetected
cases. Most of the women brought into
Sweden have their passports and other travel documents taken from them. Many
of them are kept under lock and 51 key in various flats and other locations
where they are forced to provide sexual services (BRÅ-rapport 2002:7). The national police draw a similar picture,
but also report that women may be delivered to customers by their pimps or
handlers. They are frequently subjected to physical abuse, sexual assault and
threats by both handlers and clients.
The situation of the women is further aggravated by the fact that it
is difficult for them to get help due to language problems, as well as fear
of the police and other authorities. Freedom
House Country Report - Political Rights: 1 Civil Liberties: 1 Status: Free Human Rights Overview
by Human Rights Watch – Defending Human Rights Worldwide One
in 12 children forced into world's 'worst forms' of labor: UNICEF UK UNICEF UK lauded the pledge of
developed countries, made more than 30 years ago, of allocating 0.7 percent
of gross domestic product to development aid but regretted that only five
countries today fulfill that promise -- Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands,
Luxembourg and Sweden. United States and Sweden Join Forces to Protect Women and Girls from Sex Trafficking www.i-newswire.com/goprint12256.html www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/43838.htm The Prevention Project will
address gaps in gender equality, the demand for sex trafficking victims, and
the connection between human trafficking and prostitution. The bilateral program also will help
promote equality between women and men as a fundamental part of democracy and
human rights. The United States and Sweden are contributing approximately
$330,000 each over two years Sexual exploitation of children in Sweden www.childcentre.info/12708 Final report from the Committee on
knowledge about sexual exploited children in The
Swedish Approach to Prostitution THE WORLD'S 'OLDEST TRADE' AND THE
SWEDISH LAW THAT CRIMINALIZES BUYING OF SEXUAL SERVICES - The Swedish women's movement,
while arguing for non-traditional gender roles and for women's sexual
liberty, refused to confuse and mix up sexual liberty with prostitution, as
they are virtually each others' contrasts. Hence, the preparatory work for
the Swedish law started around 1975, and since then several government
reports have been made proposing either status quo, or criminalizing both the
sellers and buyers of sexual services, or criminalizing only the buyers of
sexual services. It is however only in 1999 that the question was decided.
The Swedish law from 1999 on buying of sexual services forbids buying and
attempts to buy sexual services. That is, selling and attempts to sell sexual
services remains legal in Sweden, it is only the buyers side that is made
criminal. National Action Program for Combating Trafficking in Human
Beings www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/4096/a/26488 At one time this article had been
archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] The National Action Plan for
combating prostitution and trafficking in human beings for sexual purposes,
with particular focus on women and children will include many different
measures, including proposals of further initiatives to combat prostitution
and trafficking in human beings for sexual purposes, especially women and
children, proposals of protection and aid to victims of prostitution and
trafficking in human beings for sexual purposes and a survey of penal
measures and development of the work within the justice system, police and social
services. The National Action Plan will also include special measures to
counteract the demand that furthers all forms of sexual exploitation of human
beings, especially women and children. New measures to combat human trafficking www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/4242/a/28655 At one time this article had been
archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] Today, thousands of women and children
are victims of human trafficking from and through the Nordic and Baltic
countries. It is estimated that between 400 and 600 women and children will
fall prey to this modern form of slavery this year in Sweden alone. Project against prostitution and trafficking in human
beings in the Barents region www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/4096/a/32220 At one time this article had been
archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] At The objective is to combat
trafficking of women and girls for the purpose of prostitution from Murmansk and Archangelsk oblast, in North-western Russia,
to the northern parts of Sweden, Finland and Norway. During the project
measures will be taken to combat the demand of women and girls for purposes
of prostitution. Campaign Against Trafficking in Women in the Nordic and
Baltic Countries www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/4096/a/26483 At one time this article had been
archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] The Swedish Campaign had its
overall objective to increase the awareness and knowledge about prostitution
and the global trafficking in human beings through information to, and
education and training of government and other public authorities,
nongovernmental organizations, the media and the public. The campaign focused
on different measures directed towards buyers and potential buyers of
prostituted women and children in Sweden, as well as towards those men who
travel to other countries for the specific purpose of buying and exploiting
prostituted women and children. The campaign also highlighted the
circumstances and conditions that those women and children who are, or who
have been, victims of prostitution and trafficking live under. Chapter 2: Hambaar: The
Smugglers' Network www.irinnews.org/webspecials/Somalichildren/Chapter2/c2international_criminal_networks.asp At one time this article had been
archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] International criminal networks -
There is a paucity of hard information on child smuggling and trafficking. An
official of Interpol told IRIN that that while there were major
investigations carried out on prostitution rings, pornography and
international criminal cartels, relatively little was known about the
international child trafficking networks. In 2001, 87 unaccompanied minors
in Sweden went 'missing' - meaning they arrived, were registered or
accommodated by the authorities, but then disappeared to an unknown
destination. There is speculation that international organized crime accounts
for a small number of these 'missing' children. All professionals working with
unaccompanied children agree that the children have become more vulnerable as
communication technology becomes more sophisticated. According to staff in
the Carlslund refugee centre in Stockholm, almost
every child gets a mobile phone three or four days after arrival - "we
don't know from where, or how". There is a debate in Sweden on how far
the refugee child's liberties should be restricted in the interest of safety. All material used herein
reproduced under the fair use exception of 17 USC § 107 for noncommercial,
nonprofit, and educational use. PLEASE
RESPECT COPYRIGHTS OF COMPONENT ARTICLES.
Cite this webpage as: Patt, Prof. Martin,
"Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery - |
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Human Trafficking in [Sweden Street Children in [Sweden] [other countries]Child Prostitution in [Sweden] [other countries]