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Kosovo:
Trafficked women and girls have human rights


The international community is responsible for the growth of a sex industry based on the abuse of trafficked women in Kosovo. Women and girls from some of the poorest countries in Europe are being trafficked into Kosovo.

Since the deployment in July 1999 of an international peacekeeping force (KFOR) and the establishment of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) civilian administration, Kosovo has become a major destination country for women and girls trafficked into forced prostitution.

  • In 2003 there were more than 200 bars, restaurants, clubs and cafes where trafficked women and girls were believed to be working in forced prostitution.
  • Between 15 and 20 percent are reportedly under the age of 14.
  • Women are trafficked into Kosovo predominantly from Moldova, Bulgaria and Ukraine, the majority of them via Serbia.
  • Increasing numbers of local women and girls are being trafficked within Kosovo and abroad.
  • To date, no trafficked women or girls have received redress for the damage they have suffered.
Kosovo
Although some women are abducted, many start their journeys from their home countries voluntarily, believing they have been offered work that will enable them to break out of poverty or escape abuse.

Often, as soon as their journey begins, so does the systematic abuse of their rights, in a strategy that reduces them to dependency on their trafficker, and later their "owner". Their documents are taken away from them. They may be beaten. Many are raped.

When they reach Kosovo, they are beaten and raped - by clients, by "owners" and by other staff. Many are virtually imprisoned in an apartment or room or a cellar. Some become slaves, working in bars and cafes during the day and locked into a room servicing 10 to 15 clients a night.

Some find that their wages - the reason they were willing to leave their homes - are never paid. If they are sick, they may be refused access to health care. They have no legal status and are denied their basic rights.

Even if they escape their traffickers or are "rescued" by the police, some women suffer human rights violations by officials. Some are arrested and imprisoned for prostitution or immigration offences. Those recognized as victims of trafficking are denied rights to reparation and redress, and few receive appropriate protection and support. Some find that they have little or no protection from their traffickers if they testify in court. Throughout the process, women face prejudice and discrimination.

Trafficking of women for forced prostitution is an abuse of human rights, not least the right to physical and mental integrity. It exposes women and girls to a series of human rights abuses by traffickers and by those who purchase their services. It also leaves them vulnerable to violations by governments which fail to protect the human rights of trafficked women.

Amnesty International calls on the authorities in Kosovo to implement measures to end the trafficking of women and girls to, from and within Kosovo for forced prostitution. The authorities should also ensure that measures are taken to protect victims of trafficking, and to afford them redress and reparation for the human rights abuses they have suffered.

The organization also calls on the UN and NATO to ensure that any members of military and civilian peacekeeping forces suspected of criminal offences associated with trafficking are brought to justice.

Trafficking is a problem in many parts of the world. Speak out to ensure that trafficked women and girls in your country are treated as victims of human rights abuse, not as criminals.

Find out more – full report "So does that mean I have rights?" Protecting the human rights of women and girls trafficked for forced prostitution in Kosovo

Contact your local Amnesty International section to find out what they are doing.




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