NCJ Number
198476
Date Published
November 2002
Length
76 pages
Annotation
This report documents human rights abuses committed against women and girls trapped in debt bondage, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the contribution of local officials who benefit directly from and work to maintain this form of modern slavery.
Abstract
This report begins with a review of the background of the international community in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It then discusses women's and girls' experiences of trafficking in the Bosnian sex industry, international and domestic legal protections that exist against trafficking, the local police involvement in trafficking, the Bosnian government response, the United Nations response, legal immunity and impunity for international community members involved in trafficking, International Police Task Force (IPTF) and trafficking, and NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) contractor involvement. In conclusion, it is noted that trafficking cannot flourish without corrupt officials, both international and national, and in order for this situation to change, the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the international community must live up to their international agreements. Specific recommendations for action by Bosnia, the Council of Europe, DynCorp, the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH), the IPTF and European Union Police Mission (EUPM), the U.S. Government, the United Nations, the Stability Pact for the South Eastern Europe Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are included.