Human Trafficking in [Sweden Street Children in [Sweden] [other countries]Child Prostitution in [Sweden] [other countries] |
Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery Kingdom of Sweden [ Country-by-Country
Reports ] The Sweden is a destination, and, to a lesser extent, a transit
country for women and children trafficked from Estonia, Russia, Poland,
Albania, Slovakia, Nigeria, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia,
Venezuela, and Thailand for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation.
Some of these women and children are trafficked on to Norway, Denmark,
Germany, and the United Kingdom. In 2007, police noted an increase in women
and children under the age of 15 trafficked from Romania and Bulgaria for the
purposes of forced begging and petty theft. Authorities also observed a
renewed influx of unaccompanied Chinese children, 23 of whom disappeared from
Swedish asylum centers in June 2007; authorities believe these children were
eventually trafficked to the United Kingdom for forced labor. Boys and young
men from the United Kingdom were trafficked to Sweden for the purpose of
forced labor; these victims were forced to work on construction sites, lay
asphalt, do yard work, and perform other odd jobs. - U.S. State Dept
Trafficking in Persons Report, June, 2008
[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 http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2005-06/2005-06-03-voa43.cfm?CFID=78215800&CFTOKEN=43948633 Mr. Miller also commended South
Korea for what he termed a brave initiative to curb the sex trade in that
country, and Sweden for similar
action and for a Europe-wide information campaign focused on curbing demand
for trafficking victims. 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 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 Final report from the Committee on
knowledge about sexual exploited children in Sweden. Sexual exploitation of
children comprises trafficking in children, child prostitution/sexual
exploitation for payment and child pornography. The report contains a
description of these three problem areas, relevant legislation is reported
and risk factors identified. Investigations, measures and treatment for both
victims and perpetrators are reviewed as well as joint action at both
national and international levels. 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 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 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 At Swedens initiative, a project
has begun to combat prostitution and trafficking in human beings in the
Barents region. The project is focused on finding alternative solutions for
the women and girls in the region who are subjected to or risk being
subjected to prostitution and trafficking in human beings. 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 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 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 |
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Human Trafficking in [Sweden Street Children in [Sweden] [other countries]Child Prostitution in [Sweden] [other countries]