#5 - RW 261
US lauds Russia's 'Herculean' anti-trafficking efforts
June 12, 2003
AFP

The United States on Wednesday lauded Russia for its "Herculean" effort to draft a law banning the trafficking in human beings that it said could be a model for the rest of the world.

The State Department, in its third annual "Trafficking in Persons Report," rewarded Moscow for its work by promoting Russia from a "Tier 3" to "Tier 2" country, a designation that means it will escape possible sanctions for failing to combat trafficking.

Countries in Tier 3 risk losing non-humanitarian and non-trade-related US assistance unless they improve their records by October 1 or receive a waiver. Russia was elevated to Tier 2 -- a designation that means it does not yet fully comply with US and international anti-trafficking requirements but is making a "significant effort" to do so -- because of improvements in its record, mainly in the drafting of the new law.

"Russia has been engaged in a Herculean effort in drafting what could well be a model anti-trafficking law," said John Miller, the director of the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

In addition, he said Russia had begun to sponsor and promote public awareness events educating mainly children and women of the dangers of trafficking and the perils of the sex trade and forced labor.

Still, the report notes deficiencies in Russia's efforts and says that the new law -- which is expected to be passed this month -- has not yet come into force.

"Russias legal structure still does not allow for effective prosecution of traffickers, nor for victim assistance, and efforts to prosecute traffickers for related crimes have been largely unsuccessful," the report said.

Miller stressed that the United States would be watching Russia to see how the law is enforced and whether violators are prosecuted to the fullest possible extent.

"We're going to be looking closely at Russia and see how they perform over the coming year," he said. "We're going to look and see if this law is indeed passed and if on the ground it is implemented."

CDI Russia Weekly #261 ~ Contents  •  Next