U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Tier 3)

The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is a transit country, and to a lesser extent, a source and destination country for women and girls trafficked for sexual exploitation. Victims, mostly from Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, and Bulgaria end up in Kosovo, Bosnia, Albania, and Western Europe. Roma children are also trafficked through the Federal Republic for begging and theft in Western Europe. Chinese nationals are occasionally trafficked from Serbia to Western Europe.

Neither the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia1, the Government of Serbia, nor the Government of Montenegro yet fully comply with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, they are making significant efforts to do so. The Federal Interior Ministry formed the Initial Board for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, with representatives from all relevant federal and republic ministries, international organizations, and NGOs, and it established a high-level working group. While the lack of specific trafficking laws makes prosecution of trafficking difficult, the Serbian and Montenegrin Republic Governments are currently prosecuting under slavery, prostitution, and kidnapping laws. With foreign government consultation, the federal and republic ministries have formed a law enforcement task force that is investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases. In addition, Montenegro's security center is exchanging information with the international community in Kosovo and with Albania in trafficking case investigations. Corruption, especially at the low level, is a widespread problem. In 2001, over 1,200 cases of general police corruption resulted in termination of employment or fines. With respect to protection of victims, the Federal and Serbian Governments provide in-kind support to NGOs and international organizations in the form of space and security for shelters, and rely on these organizations for all protection services to victims. The Federal government also provides facilities for the recently opened Regional Clearing Point, which collects and coordinates information on trafficking from all the countries in the region. The Federal Government signed an MOU granting victims a four-week assessment period before deportation; however, in some cases, potential victims are still being detained, fined, and deported for illegal border crossing and prostitution. For prevention, the Serbian and Montenegrin Governments provide school space and public TV and radio time for NGOs and international organizations to run public anti-trafficking programs.

Kosovo, while technically part of Serbia, is currently being administered under the authority of the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) pending a determination of its future status in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. Since the adoption of UNSCR 1244 in June 1999, UNMIK has provided transitional administration for Kosovo. UNMIK is aware of the serious problems that exist in Kosovo concerning trafficking and is working to conduct anti-trafficking efforts. UNMIK remains the final authority in Kosovo but is turning over responsibility in most areas to Provisional Institutions of Self-government following Kosovo-wide elections last November and the formation of a coalition government.


1 Federal authority was exercised effectively only over the Republic of Serbia (excluding Kosovo) throughout the year.

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