Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery Poverty drives the unsuspecting poor into the
hands of traffickers Published reports & articles
from 2000 to 2025 gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Sweden.htm
Sweden is a
destination, and, to a lesser extent, a transit country for women trafficked
from Romania, Russia, Nigeria, Albania, Tanzania, Thailand, and Estonia for
the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation. Some of these women are
trafficked through Sweden to Norway, Denmark, Germany, and the United
Kingdom. Women and children from Romania are trafficked to Sweden for the
purpose of forced begging. One man from Ukraine was trafficked to Sweden for
the purpose of begging and petty theft.
The Swedish police estimate that 400 to 600 persons are trafficked to
Sweden annually, primarily for forced prostitution. - U.S. State Dept
Trafficking in Persons Report, June, 2009 Check
out ta later country report here and possibly a full TIP Report here |
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CAUTION: The following
links have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in HOW TO USE THIS WEB-PAGE Students If you are looking for
material to use in a term-paper, you are advised to scan the postings on this
page and others to see which aspects of Human Trafficking are of particular
interest to you. Would you like to
write about Forced-Labor? Debt
Bondage? Prostitution? Forced Begging? Child Soldiers? Sale of Organs? etc. On the other
hand, you might choose to include precursors of trafficking such as poverty and hunger. There is a lot to
the subject of Trafficking. Scan other
countries as well. Draw comparisons
between activity in adjacent countries and/or regions. Meanwhile, check out some of the Term-Paper resources
that are available on-line. Teachers Check out some of
the Resources
for Teachers attached to this website. ***
FEATURED ARTICLE *** "Harder
punishments needed" for men who use sex slaves The Local, 13 Jun 05 www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=1597&date=20050613 [accessed 27
December 2010] www.thelocal.se/20050613/1597 [accessed 27
December 2010] Johan Linander, the Center Party’s justice spokesman, argues in a report released on Monday that anyone who pays to have sex with a woman who is obviously being held by force should be considered to have raped her. “If one man pays another man who then unlocks a door to a woman, it should be clear what is happening,” says Linander. ***
ARCHIVES *** 2020 Country
Reports on Human Rights Practices: Sweden U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and
Labor, 30 March 2021 www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/sweden/
[accessed 27 June
2021] PROHIBITION OF
FORCED OR COMPULSORY LABOR Forced labor
involving trafficked men and women occurred in agriculture (including
involving companies providing foreign labor for berry picking), construction,
hospitality, domestic work, forced begging, and theft, and there were reports
of forced begging involving trafficked children (see section 7.c.). In some
cases employers or contractors providing labor seized the passports of
workers and withheld their pay. Resources and inspections were adequate. PROHIBITION OF CHILD
LABOR AND MINIMUM AGE FOR EMPLOYMENT For children, there
were 12 cases of child sex trafficking, seven cases of child forced labor, 11
cases of child forced begging, one case of forced child war service, and 45
cases of other forms of child trafficking. Boys were mainly
subjected to forced begging and forced petty theft.
Girls were mainly subjected to sexual exploitation, forced begging, and child
marriage. Police and social services reportedly acted promptly when cases
were reported. Freedom House
Country Report 2020 Edition freedomhouse.org/country/sweden/freedom-world/2020 [accessed 8 July
2020] G4. DO INDIVIDUALS
ENJOY EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY AND FREEDOM FROM ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION? People in Sweden
generally enjoy equality of opportunity. Women earn the equivalent of 88 percent
of men’s wages, or 95.5 percent when differences in age, sector, and
experience are taken into account. However, unemployment is higher among
immigrants than it is among people who were born in Sweden. Sweden is a
destination and, to a lesser extent, a transit point for women and children
trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation, but the Swedish government
is proactive in combatting the problem. The government has established antitrafficking working groups and action plans on the
municipal level. Nevertheless, the United Nations (UN) has pointed out that
Sweden lacks robust methods to prevent individuals, especially unaccompanied
immigrant children, from falling victim to human trafficking. According to
the US State Department’s 2019 Trafficking in Persons Report, Sweden meets
the minimum standards for prevention of trafficking however the authorities
are not proactive enough in identifying trafficking victims, notably among
asylum seekers and unaccompanied children. Critics hit out at
sex law plan BBC News, 20
December 2007 news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7154980.stm [accessed 27
December 2010] Liberal Democrat spokesman
David Howarth said a ban was not the answer, arguing that it could put women
in more danger. He said:
"Evidence from Sweden in
making prostitution illegal has shown that it doesn't help in reducing human
trafficking. It, in fact, increases violence against women and makes the
practice of prostitution far more risky for all involved. "Outlawing prostitution completely
will mean that men will be far less likely to come forward to help with
prosecutions for fear of criminalisation themselves." Swedish
Prostitution Ban An Apparent Enormous Success Thaddeus M.
Baklinski, LifeSiteNews, 15 Nov 2007 cartooncat.newsvine.com/_news/2007/11/19/1108134-swedish-prostitution-ban-an-apparent-enormous-success [accessed 27
December 2010] www.lifesitenews.com/news/swedish-prostitution-ban-an-apparent-enormous-success [accessed 18
February 2018] Sweden appears to
have nearly wiped out prostitution. How? In 1999 Sweden passed legislation
that criminalized the buying of sex, and decriminalized the selling of sex. This law is the
only one of its kind in the world, and it seems to be incredibly successful
according to Swedish officials. The law, which has criminalized the purchase
and brokering of sexual services, provides for up to six years in prison for
pimps, up to 10 years for traffickers of prostitutes. The john could face up
to six months in prison if caught in the act. Another relevant aspect
of the ban is the reduction of the number of foreign women now being
trafficked into Sweden for sex. The Swedish government estimates that in the
last few years only 200 to 400 women and girls have been annually trafficked
into Sweden for prostitution, while in neighboring Finland the number is
15,000 to 17,000. Falling Short of
the Mark: An International Study on the Treatment of Human Trafficking
Victims
[PDF] The Future Group,
March 2006 www.oas.org/atip/canada/Fallingshortofthemark.pdf [accessed 6 February
2011] lastradainternational.org/lsidocs/13%20Falling%20short%20of%20the%20mark%20(Future%20Group).pdf [accessed 4 February
2019] SWEDEN - RESIDENCE - In October 2004,
Sweden amended the Aliens Act to enable prosecutors to obtain timelimited
residence permits for trafficking victims who cooperate in the criminal
investigation of traffickers. Police reported that a decrease in the number
of deportations took place following the enactment of this legislation.
Depending on the complexity of the investigation or if the judgment is
appealed, the time-limited residence may be extended upon application by the
prosecutor. Upon expiry of the temporary permit, the trafficking victim may
apply for a permanent residence permit. Four Russians
Arrested in Russian Spy, 18
April 2007 www.russianspy.org/2007/04/18/four-russians-arrested-in-sweden-over-human-trafficking/ [accessed 27
December 2010] Swedish prosecutors
have charged a group of 24 Russians and Swedes with human trafficking,
pimping and buying sex from nine Russian women, the AFP news agency reports. The prosecutor said
he was only able to prove human trafficking in one of the cases and said the
other eight women had come from Russia to Sweden of their own will. Modern day slave
trade: Human trafficking continues, even in the U.S. Hilary Dyer, Opinion
Editor, [accessed 26 June
2013] In an effort to
stop human trafficking in Agence France-Presse
AFP, [accessed 26 June
2013] “The fact that
trafficking in human beings is taking place in Co-operation to
Stop Sex Traffic Radio sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?ProgramID=2054&format=1&artikel=683238 [accessed 27
December 2010] The Swedish police
have begun working with their counterparts in Kosovo to stop a gang
responsible for sex trafficking. The
co-operation follows the case of a 17-year-old girl kidnapped from Kosovo and
brought to Key US Gulf Allies
Cited in Human Trafficking Report Voice of www.voanews.com/articleprintview/548041.html [accessed 4
September 2012] Mr. Miller also
commended Prostitution in
Sweden 2003 - Knowledge, Beliefs & Attitudes Of Key Informants [PDF] Article Number
2004-131-28, www.socialstyrelsen.se, October 2004 www.childcentre.info/projects/exploitation/sweden/dbaFile11751.pdf [accessed 27
December 2010] childcentre.info/projects/exploitation/sweden/dbaFile11751.pdf [accessed 18
February 2018] [page 50]
TRAFFICKING
- The national police force estimates that there were up to 400-600 female
victims of trafficking in Sweden during 2003. That estimate is based on
information received, preliminary investigations, and assumptions about the
number of undetected cases. Most of the women
brought into Sweden have their passports and other travel documents taken
from them. Many of them are kept under lock and 51 key in various flats and
other locations where they are forced to provide sexual services (BRÅ-rapport
2002:7). The national police draw a
similar picture, but also report that women may be delivered to customers by
their pimps or handlers. They are frequently subjected to physical abuse,
sexual assault and threats by both handlers and clients. The situation of the women is further
aggravated by the fact that it is difficult for them to get help due to
language problems, as well as fear of the police and other authorities. One in 12 children
forced into world's 'worst forms' of labor: UNICEF UK Global Policy Forum
GPF, UNICEF UK,, 18 February 2005 www.globalpolicy.org/global-taxes/46700-one-in-twelve-of-the-worlds-children-are.html [accessed 18
February 2018] To eradicate the
worst forms of child exploitation, UNICEF is calling for immediate action to
tackle the issue of child poverty. UNICEF UK's Executive Director David Bull
explained, "One way to put an end to the exploitation of children
highlighted in this report is by taking action to make poverty history and
ensuring a commitment to more and better international aid. Over 30 years ago
the richest countries committed themselves to giving 0.7% of GNI to overseas
aid yet today only five countries - Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Luxembourg,
Sweden - are fulfilling their
promise. One billion children around the world are still living in poverty
and this is an unacceptable injustice." United States and 2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2005/43838.htm [accessed 16 August
2012] The Prevention
Project will address gaps in gender equality, the demand for sex trafficking
victims, and the connection between human trafficking and prostitution. The bilateral program also will help
promote equality between women and men as a fundamental part of democracy and
human rights. The United States
and Sweden are contributing
approximately $330,000 each over two years Sexual exploitation
of children in Sweden Ingrid Åkerman, www.childcentre.info/12708 [accessed 27
December 2010] www.childrenatrisk.eu/projects/abused/sweden/dbaFile11368.html [accessed 18
February 2018] Final report from the
Committee on knowledge about sexual exploited children in Sweden. Sexual
exploitation of children comprises trafficking in children, child
prostitution/sexual exploitation for payment and child pornography. The
report contains a description of these three problem areas, relevant
legislation is reported and risk factors identified. Investigations, measures
and treatment for both victims and perpetrators are reviewed as well as joint
action at both national and international levels. The Swedish
Approach to Prostitution Sari Kouvo, Dept. of
Law, www.sos-sexisme.org/English/swedish.htm [accessed 27
December 2010] THE WORLD'S 'OLDEST TRADE'
AND THE SWEDISH LAW THAT CRIMINALIZES BUYING OF SEXUAL SERVICES - The Swedish
women's movement, while arguing for non-traditional gender roles and for
women's sexual liberty, refused to confuse and mix up sexual liberty with
prostitution, as they are virtually each others' contrasts. Hence, the
preparatory work for the Swedish law started around 1975, and since then
several government reports have been made proposing either status quo, or
criminalizing both the sellers and buyers of sexual services, or
criminalizing only the buyers of sexual services. It is however only in 1999
that the question was decided. The Swedish law from 1999 on buying of sexual
services forbids buying and attempts to buy sexual services. That is, selling
and attempts to sell sexual services remains legal in Sweden, it is only the
buyers side that is made criminal. National Action
Program for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Ministry of
Integration and Gender Equality, 25 June 2007 At one time this
article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] [accessed 12
September 2011] The National Action
Plan for combating prostitution and trafficking in human beings for sexual
purposes, with particular focus on women and children will include many
different measures, including proposals of further initiatives to combat
prostitution and trafficking in human beings for sexual purposes, especially
women and children, proposals of protection and aid to victims of
prostitution and trafficking in human beings for sexual purposes and a survey
of penal measures and development of the work within the justice system,
police and social services. The National Action Plan will also include
special measures to counteract the demand that furthers all forms of sexual
exploitation of human beings, especially women and children. New measures to
combat human trafficking Press release,
Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 26 August 2004 At one time this
article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] [accessed 12
September 2011] Today, thousands of
women and children are victims of human trafficking from and through the
Nordic and Baltic countries. It is estimated that between 400 and 600 women
and children will fall prey to this modern form of slavery this year in
Sweden alone. Project against
prostitution and trafficking in human beings in the Barents region Ministry of
Industry, 3 November 2004 At one time this
article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] [accessed 12
September 2011] At The objective is to
combat trafficking of women and girls for the purpose of prostitution from
Murmansk and Archangelsk oblast, in North-western Russia, to the northern
parts of Sweden, Finland and Norway. During the project measures will be
taken to combat the demand of women and girls for purposes of prostitution. Campaign Against
Trafficking in Women in the Nordic and Baltic Countries Ministry of
Industry, Employment and Communications, 18 April 2005 At one time this
article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] [accessed 12
September 2011] The Swedish
Campaign had its overall objective to increase the awareness and knowledge about
prostitution and the global trafficking in human beings through information
to, and education and training of government and other public authorities,
nongovernmental organizations, the media and the public. The campaign focused
on different measures directed towards buyers and potential buyers of
prostituted women and children in Sweden, as well as towards those men who
travel to other countries for the specific purpose of buying and exploiting
prostituted women and children. The campaign also highlighted the
circumstances and conditions that those women and children who are, or who
have been, victims of prostitution and trafficking live under. Chapter 2: Hambaar:
The Smugglers' Network U.N. Integrated
Regional Information Networks IRIN, Web Special on Separated Somali Children,
1 May 2006 www.irinnews.org/indepthmain.aspx?InDepthId=44&ReportId=71597 At one time this
article had been archived and may possibly still be accessible [here] [accessed 8 March
2015] INTERNATIONAL
CRIMINAL NETWORKS
- There is a paucity of hard information on child smuggling and trafficking.
An official of Interpol told IRIN that that while there were major
investigations carried out on prostitution rings, pornography and
international criminal cartels, relatively little was known about the
international child trafficking networks. In 2001, 87
unaccompanied minors in Sweden went 'missing' - meaning they arrived, were
registered or accommodated by the authorities, but then disappeared to an
unknown destination. There is speculation that international organized crime
accounts for a small number of these 'missing' children. All professionals
working with unaccompanied children agree that the children have become more
vulnerable as communication technology becomes more sophisticated. According
to staff in the Carlslund refugee centre in Stockholm, almost every child
gets a mobile phone three or four days after arrival - "we don't know
from where, or how". There is a debate in Sweden on how far the refugee
child's liberties should be restricted in the interest of safety. International criminal
networks - There is a paucity of hard information on child smuggling and
trafficking. An official of Interpol told IRIN that that while there were
major investigations carried out on prostitution rings, pornography and
international criminal cartels, relatively little was known about the
international child trafficking networks. In 2001, 87
unaccompanied minors in Sweden went 'missing' - meaning they arrived, were
registered or accommodated by the authorities, but then disappeared to an
unknown destination. There is speculation that international organized crime
accounts for a small number of these 'missing' children. All professionals
working with unaccompanied children agree that the children have become more
vulnerable as communication technology becomes more sophisticated. According
to staff in the Carlslund refugee centre in Stockholm, almost every child
gets a mobile phone three or four days after arrival - "we don't know
from where, or how". There is a debate in Sweden on how far the refugee
child's liberties should be restricted in the interest of safety. Concluding
Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child, 28 January 2005 www1.umn.edu/humanrts/crc/sweden2005.html [accessed 27
December 2010] SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION AND TRAFFICKING - The Committee notes with appreciation that, following
the First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children,
held in (a) The occurrence
of trafficking in children, prostitution and related issues in UNACCOMPANIED
CHILDREN - The
Committee notes the efforts of the State party to address the situation of
unaccompanied minors and to enhance the quality of reception and interviewing
for asylum‑seeking children. However, the Committee is concerned
about: (a) The high number of
unaccompanied children having gone missing from the Swedish Migration Board’s
special units for children without custodians; … Is trafficking in
human beings demand driven?: a multi-country pilot study Bridget Anderson and
Julia O’Connell Davidson, Save the Children Sweden, ISBN:91-7321-069-2, 2003 [Long URL]
[accessed 17
February 2022] INTRODUCTION - Part I of this
report sets out to review current debates and existing research on “the
demand side of trafficking”. ***
EARLIER EDITIONS OF SOME OF THE ABOVE *** Human Rights Reports
» 2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61677.htm [accessed 11
February 2020] TRAFFICKING
IN PERSONS
– The country continued to be a transit point, and to a lesser extent a
destination, for trafficked women and children. Many law enforcement officials
and analysts estimated the number of trafficked women at approximately 500
per year. Victims came primarily from the Baltic region, Eastern Europe, or Traffickers typically
recruited victims in their countries of origin to work as cleaners,
babysitters, or in similar employment abroad. Once in the country,
traffickers isolated and intimidated victims, and forced them to work as
prostitutes in hotels, restaurants, massage parlors, or private apartments;
some were likely locked up and had their passports confiscated. All
material used herein reproduced under the fair use exception of 17 USC § 107
for noncommercial, nonprofit, and educational use. PLEASE RESPECT COPYRIGHTS OF COMPONENT
ARTICLES. Cite this webpage as: Patt,
Prof. Martin, "Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery - |
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