U.S. State Department releases first report on trafficking in persons (08/05/01)

U.S. State Department releases first report on trafficking in persons

WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department has released the first annual "Trafficking in Persons Report," which provides a nation-by-nation account on the commerce in human beings and what governments are doing to combat it.

"It is incomprehensible that trafficking in persons should be taking place in the 21st century. But it is true, very true," said Secretary of State Colin Powell during a July 12 press briefing in Washington to release the report. He also said the report will serve as the basis for further international action to fight what the report calls "modern-day slavery."

The report reviews trafficking activities in 82 nations, including Ukraine. It estimates that some 700,000 persons are victims of trafficking worldwide every year. The report was compiled as a requirement under the Victims and Violence Protection Act passed by the U.S. Congress last year. The full report is available on the U.S. State Department's Global Issues website at: http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/traffic.

On the basis of the findings in the report, the United States will open talks with other nations and urge them to take steps defined by the Trafficking Act of 2000 as "minimum standards" to eliminate trafficking.

Ukraine is mentioned in the report as a major source and transit country for women and girls trafficked abroad for sexual exploitation, primarily to Central and Western Europe, the United States and the Middle East.

Three years ago Ukraine's Parliament amended the criminal code to make trafficking in human beings a crime punishable by eight years in prison. Updated trafficking provisions are included in Ukraine's new criminal code, which was approved in April. Ukraine also has established special programs to combat trafficking in women.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has worked closely with the government of Ukraine since 1998 to combat the trafficking of human beings. The major programs funded by the U.S. government focus on prevention, protection and assistance for Ukrainians at risk, and prosecution of traffickers.

Last year a U.S.-Ukraine Regional Law Enforcement Seminar Against Trafficking in Women and Children was held in Kyiv. It brought together law enforcement officials, international organizations and NGO representatives from numerous countries to address the trafficking problem and to develop an action plan to combat trafficking.

Other U.S. government initiatives in Ukraine to fight trafficking include programs established by Winrock International and the U.S. Agency for International Development. This includes establishment of seven trafficking prevention centers throughout Ukraine that provide 24-hour hotlines, medical referral, confidential counseling, legal support and job training.

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