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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

Kingdom of Sweden

Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. It has a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labor force.

Despite strong finances and underlying fundamentals, the Swedish economy slid into recession in the third quarter of 2008 and growth continued downward in the fourth as deteriorating global conditions reduced export demand and consumption. On 3 February 2009, the Swedish Government announced a $6 billion rescue package for the banking sector.  [The World Factbook, U.S.C.I.A. 2009]

Description: Description: Description: Description: Sweden

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

 

 

CAUTION:  The following links have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in Sweden.  Some of these links may lead to websites that present allegations that are unsubstantiated or even false.  No attempt has been made to validate their authenticity or to verify their content.

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 - Sweden is complying with its international obligations under the Trafficking Protocol related to the protection of victims of human trafficking, and it is a signatory to the European Trafficking Convention. Since 2004, it has provided for temporary residency and the possibility of permanent residence for trafficking victims who assist with prosecutions of their traffickers. While there is government funding for health care and social services for victims, the civil society network is not sufficiently integrated and warrants attention to enhance accessibility for these victims. Special guidelines exist for law enforcement and immigration officials in dealing with trafficking victims.

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 Sweden Over Human Trafficking

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, Liberty University, 3 Apr 2007

[accessed 26 June 2013]

In an effort to stop human trafficking in Sweden, government officials have vigilantly fought against and punished those participating in the commercial sex industry. As a result, the nation has seen the both the number of prostitutes and victims of human trafficking diminish significantly.

Sweden planning special envoy on human trafficking

Agence France-Presse AFP, Stockholm, 13 June 2006

[accessed 26 June 2013]

“The fact that trafficking in human beings is taking place in Sweden, in the Baltic Sea countries or in the world as a whole is an unacceptable phenomenon,” he said, adding that trafficking also has links with “other serious international crime”.  The ambassador will be based in Stockholm and will work closely with international and multilateral organisations, as well as other countries and development agencies.  Sweden has previously appointed special ambassadors on terrorism, human rights and humanitarian issues.

Co-operation to Stop Sex Traffic

Radio Sweden, 31 August 2005

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 Sweden and forced into prostitution.   Three men were convicted here in June in connection with the case.   The girl has been unable to return to Kosovo because of threats to herself and her family.

Key US Gulf Allies Cited in Human Trafficking Report

Voice of America VOA News, 3 June 2005

www.voanews.com/articleprintview/548041.html

[accessed 4 September 2012]

Mr. Miller also commended South Korea for what he termed a brave initiative to curb the sex trade in that country, and Sweden for similar action and for a Europe-wide information campaign focused on curbing demand for trafficking victims.

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 Sweden Join Forces to Protect Women and Girls from Sex Trafficking

U.S. Department Of State, Office of the Spokesman, March 25, 2005 -- Media Note

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
to the project, which will operate in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Russia, and Serbia and Montenegro.

Sexual exploitation of children in Sweden

Ingrid Åkerman, Sweden, 16 August 2004

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, University of Göteborg, Sweden

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 Swedens initiative, a project has begun to combat prostitution and trafficking in human beings in the Barents region. The project is focused on finding alternative solutions for the women and girls in the region who are subjected to or risk being subjected to prostitution and trafficking in human beings.

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 Stockholm in 1996, a National Plan of Action was adopted to protect children against sexual abuse and ill-treatment, which was brought up to date in 2001 for the Second World Congress, held in Yokohama, Japan. It also welcomes the proposed revisions to the Criminal Code regarding sexual offences, which, if adopted, will improve the protection of children against sexual exploitation. However, the Committee is concerned at:

(a) The occurrence of trafficking in children, prostitution and related issues in Sweden and abroad committed by Swedish citizens; …

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

U.S. Dept of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, March 8, 2006

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 Russia. Those transiting the country came primarily from the Baltic region, heading towards suspected destination countries of Denmark, Germany, Norway, Spain, and the United Kingdom. There were occasional cases of trafficked women from South America and Thailand. Police reported approximately 10 percent of child trafficking involved victims ages 16 and 17. Most of these children were trafficked from the Baltic states and countries of the former Soviet Union. None of the cases involved young boys. Since November 2004 approximately 120 Chinese children arrived without papers in Stockholm and requested asylum. Police suspected the children were being trafficked to European countries for cheap labor or sexual exploitation. All 120 disappeared shortly after arrival. In May Dutch police detained six of these children in the Netherlands.

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 - Sweden", http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Sweden.htm, [accessed <date>]