UN: Corruption creates environment for trafficking in Kosovo

He made these comments during the presentation of the report on trafficking of human beings in the world, according to which Kosovo continues to be in the second group in an assessment the report makes to states by dividing it into three categories: states whose governments meet the minimum standards, in the second countries that do not fully meet the standards but who make great efforts to meet and in the third are the countries that fail to meet standards and do not make efforts, the Voice of America broadcast.

The report stresses that as well as in recent years, Kosovo is valued as a source and destination country for trafficking victims used in the sex industry, as well as at forced labour. Most victims are part of domestic trafficking for sexual exploitation.

The majority of trafficking victims for the Kosovo sex industry are girls, though criminal groups force women from Albania, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and other European countries to prostitution.

Women and girls are victims of trafficking through private homes, apartments, nightclubs and massage parlors. Children from Kosovo, Albania and other neighbouring countries are forced into beggars. Traffickers force Kosovo citizens into prostitution and forced labour throughout Europe. Members of minority, Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian groups are victims of trafficking for sex services and forced beggars.

The report stresses that government corruption creates an environment that enables some trafficking crimes. Several police officers, labour ministry employees and other government officials have been charged and convicted of such crimes.

The report stresses that the Kosovo government does not meet minimum standards for the elimination of traffic; but is making apparent efforts to do so. It has stepped up efforts but continues to remain in the second category. Judges have pronounced light penalties for traffickers, and prosecutors are dealing with trafficking cases as lesser crimes. The government cut funding for the shelters of the nongovernmental organisations, causing one eye to close temporarily.

The report recommends Kosovo's investigation, prosecution and strong condemnation of traffickers, as well as officials involved, and issue stricter sentences including imprisonment; to appoint prosecutors and special judges that will deal with trafficking cases and ensure the training of the responsible for investigating and prosecuting those cases; to provide adequate funds for NGO shelters; to raise housing in northern municipalities to help victims of trafficking in that part of the country: to increase government support for the new victims' integration services, etc.

The report notes that the Penal Code envisions penalties for trafficking of between five and 12 years. Authorities filed 21 criminal trafficking charges in 2017 (in 2016 were 31 cases) and arrested 28 trafficking suspects (62 in 2016) and 10 other suspects for “the exploitation of sexual services by a trafficking victim” (18 were in 2016).

Authorities attended 27 defendants (in 2016 were 56 fronts), including a person for “exploitation of sexual services by a victim”. The courts sentenced 29 people (in 2016 were 24). But, according to the report, judges continued to pronounce sentences under the minimum of five years of freedom: a traffickers were sentenced to five years and a fine of 5 thousand euros and 14 received sentences of 18 months to three years and seven months of freedom. Seven people were sentenced on parole and fined between 600 and 600 euros. Even in courts there are 88 remaining cases of the past.

The report says the Kosovo Police Anti-Trade Directorate, along with prosecutors, social workers and labour inspectors have conducted 143 operations in bars, nightclubs and massage parlors. Investigations have also been carried out about government employees who may have been involved in trafficking acts, but no charges or sentences have been reported.

The government, said the report, has continued efforts to protect the victims. Authorities have identified 32 victims of trafficking, of which 18 were subjects of the sex industry, seven of forced labour, three forced into beggars and four forced into slavery. They were 19 children, 29 female, and three of the male genders. Of 32 victims, 25 were from Kosovo, five from Albania, one from the Philippines and one from Moldova, the report said.