U.S. Department of State 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report - Norway

Norway (Tier 1)

Norway is a destination country for women trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation, primarily from Nigeria, Albania, Russia, and the Baltic countries. There is no evidence of trafficking for other purposes. The government acknowledges that trafficking is a problem in Norway.

The Government of Norway fully complies with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons. Norway continues to take a prominent role in the international campaign against trafficking. The government has been a leader in pressing NATO to adopt anti-trafficking policies and is active on trafficking issues at Interpol and Europol. Norway also funds NGOs working on anti-trafficking programs throughout the world. The government should continue efforts to reduce the domestic demand for sexual exploitation and should focus on increasing the number of prosecutions and convictions.

Prosecution

The government continued its law enforcement efforts. During the reporting period, police conducted four trafficking investigations. The government prosecuted eight cases of trafficking in 2005, up from two cases in 2004. One trafficker was convicted. The maximum sentence for a trafficking conviction is five years in prison. If aggravated circumstances are involved, a trafficker may be sentenced up to 10 years. A trafficker convicted of slavery faces a maximum sentence of 21 years. The Norwegian police have formalized cooperation with Europol and Interpol and cooperate with other Nordic countries. The police conduct a two-day training session for all officers working on trafficking issues.

Protection

Norway continued to provide significant protection to trafficking victims. The government funds a number of NGOs that provide medical and practical assistance to victims. In 2005, police, prosecutors, and NGOs referred 75 victims to a state-funded center dedicated to assisting trafficking victims. The center's hotline received 645 trafficking calls in 2005 and assisted 20 victims. Eighteen women were placed in long-term shelters funded by the government and run by NGOs. In June 2005, Norway implemented its second National Action Plan to combat trafficking. It focuses on improving coordination between authorities and calls for police to develop witness protection guidelines specific to victims and witnesses in trafficking cases. Norway has a 45-day reflection period during which foreign victims cannot be deported; this is meant to ensure that adequate time is provided for victims to receive assistance and counseling. One victim benefited from the reflection period. Victims may also be granted relief from deportation by applying for asylum. This is a lengthy process and may take a year or more.

Prevention

The government continued to fund NGO and regional and international organization projects in source countries that focus on public awareness and prevention campaigns to potential victims. The government also has trafficking awareness and educational programs in source countries. Norway is a significant contributor to UNODC's anti-trafficking program. The national action plan calls for specific anti-trafficking initiatives to strengthen prevention efforts and a demand reduction program that provides counseling to the buyers of sexual services, and educates them about the harm they cause. Immigration authorities actively monitor immigration patterns for trafficking and cooperate with police.

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