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

Czech Republic (Tier 1)

The Czech Republic is a country of origin, transit and destination predominantly for women from Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Balkans and Asia trafficked to Western Europe for sexual exploitation. Czech girls are trafficked into forced prostitution to and from the former Soviet Union, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Czech girls are also trafficked to Western Europe.

The Government of the Czech Republic fully complies with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, including making serious and sustained efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking with respect to law enforcement, protection of victims, and prevention of trafficking. Czech criminal law prohibits trafficking of women and children for sexual purposes, alien smuggling, organized crime, rape, kidnapping, blackmail, jeopardy of morals, violence against a group or individual, pandering, domestic violence, physical restraint and sexual and other abuse of minors. Czech authorities actively investigated many trafficking cases, which resulted in indictments and convictions. Local and international NGOs work closely with police to provide periodic training to help them deal with victims. The Czech government cooperates with other Central and Eastern European governments, as well as Germany and Austria, to dismantle trafficking rings, notably on one two-year investigation that broke up a ring that prostituted boys. To protect victims, the government can provide temporary residence to victims who agree to testify against traffickers, although the government sometimes holds victims in custody and then gives them thirty days to depart, and often deports victims because they are afraid to testify. A witness protection law recently came into effect. The government distributed to victims brochures produced by one local NGO informing them of the NGO's services. The government funds one NGO, and generally refers victims to international or local NGOs, which help victims find shelter, medical and psychological treatment, clothing, food, and assistance in returning to their home countries or in reintegrating into Czech society. To prevent trafficking, the government worked with an international NGO on a national media and education campaign designed to help women avoid potential trafficking schemes. This campaign used posters and postcards placed in public areas to conduct a survey of potential trafficking victims, developed a school curriculum package targeted at thirteen- and fourteen-year-olds, and provided a video presentation designed to alert potential victims to the deceptive tactics often employed by traffickers.

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