IHF-HR: "A Form of Slavery: Trafficking in Women in OSCE Member States"
  Country Reports

KOSOVO

SPECIAL ISSUES

INTERNATIONAL HELSINKI FEDERATION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

''A FORM OF SLAVERY: TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN IN OSCE MEMBER STATES'' COUNTRY REPORTS:

KOSOVO

July 2000

As Kosovo is in limbo in terms of statehood, and is currently administered by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo, the rule of law is currently not working effectively.  NATO troops are maintaining order, the U.N.police and newly trained Kosovar police are understaffed and experience difficulties in handling a generally heavy case load.  The country director of IOM, Pasquale Lupoli, stated in a special press briefing that UNMIK is cooperating closely with IOM on helping trafficked women after they are discovered by providing shelter and repatriation. In an off-the-record comment, he noted that the Serbian police are helping traffickers.  Media reports within Kosovo are reliant upon IOM and other women's groups for their reports.

IOM, and partner organizations, including the Rural Women's Network in Kosovo, are the main NGO programs dealing with trafficked women (in terms of return, rehabilitation, etc.). As Kosovo has been identified to date as a country of destination and perhaps transit, most of the return and rehabilitation of trafficked women occurs in their countries of origin.  However, the countries of origin in which trafficking is most common are the same countries experiencing the greatest economic constraints and the least support for return and rehabilitation programs.

At the present time, trafficking in women is not prosecuted as a separate offence. Yugoslav Federal laws are not currently applicable in Kosovo, and the legal framework is being redrafted based on laws from 1973, when prostitution was a minor offence.  A draft regulation that pertains to trafficking will be proposed to Dr. Bernard Kouchner, the UNMIK administrator whose signature is required for new laws until democratic elections can be held in Kosovo, and is expected soon.

According to IOM, Kosovo is mainly a receiving country, but it could also be a country of transit.  There have been numerous rumours from diverse sources of women refugees being kidnapped from refugee camps, especially in Albania.  However, reports of Kosovar women have not yet been confirmed from the most likely receiving countries; for example, Italy, Belgium, Greece or Albania.

According to IOM, the presence of a large international community of purchasers of sex services contributes to the increase in the number of establishments that are involved in trafficking women and girls into forced prostitution.

The principle recruiting methods are not clear as Kosovo has not been proven to be a country of origin. However, in post-conflict Kosovo, border control between Kosovo and Serbia has been inconsistent.  Although increased border security measures have been recently implemented, one IOM official still believes that these measures are not adequate.  Unfortunately, most Western European countries have been engaging in discriminatory migration and travel policies pertaining to Kosovars, and have made visa requirements for Kosovars exceedingly difficult.

The Prishtina-based UNMIK police officers have been pro-active in investigating and intervening in incidents of trafficking.  It seems that trafficking in women is reported to the UNMIK police, but they are very understaffed and language barriers pose continuous problems to persons who only speak Albanian.

In terms of governmental policies or NGO programs dealing with the prevention of trafficking in Kosovo, IOM has launched an awareness campaign to raise the consciousness of internationals and locals who purchase services from women who are most likely trafficked. In addition, the UNMIK legal affairs office, at the request of police, has constituted a working group to review legislation that includes the OSCE's Rule of Law office, UNICEF, Norma - an association of Kosovar women attorneys etc.

IOM has programs and partnerships with affiliated organizations in countries of origin to return trafficked women on a voluntary basis to their country of origin.  As IOM is not a deporting agency, if a woman wants to return to her country, IOM will assist her with travel arrangements, small financial support, and will facilitate border crossings with local police in an effort to help women return to their places of origin, even when they are located outside of major cities. 

IOM also refers women to affiliated organizations that provide intervention services to trafficked women, including medical assistance, vocational training and psychosocial support.

At present, there is no available research on the dimension of trafficking in women apart from  several articles in the mainstream press.