UNITED NATIONS PRESENTS THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING REPORT FOR RUSSIA

MOSCOW, 15 March 2006: The new report ‘The Human Trafficking in the Russian Federation’ was launched today in Moscow by the UN agencies working in Russia, including United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Labour Organization (ILO), and International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Today, Russia is an origin, transit and destination country for trafficking in human beings with trafficking occurring within Russia’s borders as well as abroad, according to the report, which provides a consolidated and comprehensive analysis of information and responses to trafficking in human beings in the Russian Federation.

“Human trafficking has become one of the most profitable activities of criminals worldwide; standing at a 7 billion dollar business and growing,” said Julia Ormond, UNODC Goodwill Ambassador for anti-trafficking initiatives. “In fact, there appears to be a shift away from trafficking in arms, drugs and tobacco towards human beings. …Whereas drugs can be sold only once, human beings can be sold over and over again.”

Considering that human trafficking in Russia was only first publicly addressed in 1997, substantial efforts have been taken by both government agencies and civil society organisations. In 2000, Russia signed the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its supplementing Protocol on Trafficking in Persons, with ratification in March 2004. During this period, Russia also legally defined trafficking of human beings within its Criminal code. Forums such as government interagency meetings and anti-trafficking conferences like the All-Russian Assembly of Anti-Trafficking NGOs have fostered dialogue among decision-makers and the establishment of strategies to better combat trafficking in human beings.

While these steps have proved critical for initiating human trafficking responses, more actions are needed to allow for effective prosecution of traffickers and assistance to victims.

The report indicates that additional national provisions and coordinating mechanisms are needed to effectively address human trafficking, and to uphold protection of basic human rights.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Report ‘Human Trafficking in the Russian Federation: Inventory and Analysis of the Current Situation and Responses’ will be available at the launch.

The report is being launched at 11.00 am, 15 March at ITAR/TASS in Moscow, 2 Tverskoy Boulevard.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Victoria Zotikova, Communications Officer, UNDP Russian Federation,
Tel: (+7495) 787 21 15

Tamara Petrova, International Organization for MigrationTel: (+7495) 797-8722 (ext.260)