Human Trafficking in Russia: Challenges and Initiatives

Overview of Human Trafficking in Russia

The U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP Report) for Russia highlights several key issues related to human trafficking in the country.

Victim Treatment: A Major Concern

• The Russian government has been criticized for treating foreign victims of sex trafficking as illegal migrants rather than offering them assistance.
• This approach fails to provide necessary support and protection to victims, exacerbating their situation.

Lack of Awareness and Prevention Efforts

• The federal government did not demonstrate significant efforts to raise awareness and prevent human trafficking over the reporting period.
• This lack of action hinders progress in combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations.

Local Initiatives: A Glimmer of Hope

• A local government in the Russian Far East conducted outreach programs to sensitize students about trafficking, reducing their vulnerability to exploitation.
• Labor migration centers provided services to migrants, decreasing their susceptibility to human trafficking.

Ombudsman for Children’s Rights: A Promising Development?

• The creation of this position may lead to improved efforts to prevent child trafficking.
• However, its mandate currently does not include anti-human trafficking responsibilities, limiting its effectiveness in addressing this issue.

Sources

This passage is part of the TIP Report 2010, which covers human trafficking in various countries. Some sources cited in the text include:

• Trafficking in Persons Report 2010
• Farhad Mehdiyev, Human Trafficking: Russia as a country of Origin, Journal of Qafqaz University (2009)
• TIME news articles (2009-2011)

Note

Please note that this is likely an excerpt from the TIP Report 2010, and some information may be outdated.