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Counter trafficking in BiH Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a country both of transit and of final destination for victims of trafficking (VoTs) from Eastern European countries for exploitation in the sex industry. BiH is also becoming a country of origin as more Bosnian girls and women are being trafficked within BiH and to Western European countries. Because of the illegal nature of trafficking, it is difficult to collect reliable statistics on the extent of the problem in BiH. VoTs come from many backgrounds, but most become VoTs because of the uncertain social, political and economic conditions in their own countries. These circumstances lead the women to seek opportunities abroad and thereby become targets of traffickers. The average age of trafficked victims assisted by IOM is 22 and 9% of these VoTs are under the age of 18. Trafficking methods are constantly changing. Commonly, VoTs are forced to provide sexual services to customers in bars and nightclubs. However, as law enforcement authorities increase their actions against traffickers, trafficking activities are moving underground and VoTs are being exploited in private apartments and houses, where they are connected with clients via escort services, mobile phones or the Internet. Some VoTs are also forced to apply for asylum in BiH or to marry BiH nationals in order for them to remain legally in BiH with their trafficker. VoTs are often physically and sexually abused, their passports are confiscated and they are not allowed to move about freely. They have little control over their working conditions, which has dramatic consequences for their health, including an increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS as well as other sexually transmitted diseases. VoTs may also be forced to use drugs and alcohol and often become addicts. As trafficking methods change, VoTs may be allowed to keep some of their earnings and communicate with their families. These new methods are used to induce them to stay with their traffickers. IOM’s COUNTER-TRAFFICKING PROGRAMMES Since 1999, IOM’s counter-trafficking programme in BiH promotes the prevention of trafficking by raising media and public awareness of the issue, provides protection to trafficked human beings through a network of shelters and provides training and assistance to local NGOs to manage the shelters and builds the capacity of the Government and local NGOs to manage counter-trafficking activities and facilitate the prosecution of traffickers. PROTECTION ACTIVITIES IOM directly assists trafficked girls and women through its safe house and shelter network. In co-operation with local NGOs, IOM established five temporary safe houses across BiH for VoTs. The safe houses provide a secure environment where the status of the VoT can be assessed. Trafficked individuals are then transferred to a high-security shelter in Sarajevo, operated by the local NGO, International Forum of Solidarity. In this supportive atmosphere, VoTs receive accommodation, food and hygienic supplies. They receive medical assistance, including reproductive health care and psychological counselling, along with legal assistance regarding their status and options. Today, as the BiH authorities and local NGOs are taking increased responsibilities for the provision of direct assistance, IOM has switched its mode of assistance to providing funding support to NGOs. IOM assists VoTs to safely return and reintegrate into their home communities. IOM helps trafficked individuals with their travel documents, their route home and provides a grant for their return. IOM also assists VoTs to re-enter and reintegrate into their communities with vocational training, job counselling, education scholarships, accommodation subsidies, legal assistance and referrals to partner NGOs. This reintegration assistance aims to improve the economic condition and opportunities of VoTs, so that their return is sustainable and they are not trafficked again. PREVENTION ACTIVITIES IOM conducts information campaigns to raise public awareness of trafficking. The campaigns inform the public of the risks and consequences of trafficking, and the deceptive methods used by traffickers. The campaigns also raise awareness of the threat of sexually transmitted infections, advertise services available to trafficked girls and women, and address the many misconceptions of trafficking. A variety of media is used, such as radio and television programmes, newspaper and magazine articles, billboards, leaflets, coasters and posters, in order to reach a wide audience. IOM distributes reproductive health pamphlets for VoTs and BiH youth at risk of being trafficked. In cooperation with United Nations Population Fund, IOM has developed pamphlets on sexually transmitted diseases. These pamphlets are distributed throughout BiH in women’s shelters and safe houses, in local and international NGOs, and in social assistance, health and youth centers. CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES IOM assists the BiH Government to build its capacity in the management of counter-trafficking activities. IOM provides support to the BiH government in the finalization of the National Action Plan (NAP), which outlines the activities necessary to prevent trafficking in human beings in BiH. In addition, IOM continues to assist the Ministry of Security and the State Co-ordinator for Counter-Trafficking and Illegal Immigration in the implementation of the NAP and the development of legislation to protect VoTs, such as the Law on Movement and Stay of Aliens and Asylum and the Rulebook on Protection of Aliens Victims of Trafficking in Persons. IOM also supports the BiH Government to establish and manage its own shelter for VoTs. IOM provides training on the identification and treatment of VoTs. IOM trains law enforcement authorities on the referral of victims to shelters. IOM instructs the media on accurate reporting of trafficking issues and trains partner NGOs to provide direct assistance and manage shelters for VoTs. ACHIEVEMENTS (1999 –2005) • 805 assisted and 607 repatriated; Links to partner's web sites:
http://www.womenforwomen.org/bosniaandherzegovina.htm
DONORS: United States, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Office of the High Representative (OHR) – Swiss Emergency Fund, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Kvinna till Kvinna, UNICEF, Oxfam/United Kingdom, Soros Foundation, and many others.
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