Report by Latvia on THB March 2011

17.03.2011Informative Reporton the implementation ofProgramme for Prevention of Human Traffickingfor years 2009 – 2013in 2009 and 2010Text abbreviations used in the documentCBSS – Council of Baltic Sea StatesCBSS TF-THB – Council of Baltic Sea States Task Force against Trafficking in Human BeingsIOM – International Organization for MigrationNational Task Force – inter-institutional working group for the coordination of implementation of the Programme for Prevention of Human Trafficking for years 2009-2013Programme – Programme for Prevention of Human Trafficking for years 2009-2013IntroductionThe Programme for Prevention of Human Trafficking was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on August 27, 2009 by the order No.590 which main purpose is to plan and implement measures to facilitate human trafficking prevention and combating.The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Welfare are designated as responsible authorities for the implementation of the Programme.The Programme prescribes the implementation of four sub-goals and five directions – data collection and researches, improvement of the legal acts, implementation of preventive measures, improvement of the cooperation between the State institutions and NGOs, improvement of the actions of law enforcement institutions and subordinated 26 tasks for achievement of results of the Programme.According to the Programme the Ministry of the Interior coordinates the introduction of the Programme every two years collecting information provided by institutions responsible for the implementation of tasks of the Programme and submitting it to the Cabinet of Ministers.This is the first Informative Report on the implementation of the Programme. It contains information about progress of implementation of tasks of the Programme during the period of assessment from January 1, 2009 until December 31, 2010 as well as on the perspectives of the implementation of tasks which are not accomplished or which are continuous.Six ministries are responsible for the implementation of the tasks stated in the Programme: the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Sciences, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Justice and their subordinated institutions.Information about participation in the implementation of the tasks stated in the Programme is provided also by the Ministry of Economics, the Department of Welfare of the Riga City Council, the Committee of Public Order, Security and Prevention of Corruption of the Riga City Council, the Municipal Police, the State Agency of Medicines and NGOs: the society “Shelter “Safe House”” and the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta””.The purpose of this Informative Report is to inform the Cabinet of Ministers about the implementation of the tasks stated in the Programme, to establish reasons and conditions which hinder the implementation of the tasks stated in the Programme, as well as other problems related to the implementation of the tasks stated in the Programme.Assessment of the implementation of tasksInformation about the implementation of the Programme was received from all the branch ministries involved in the implementation of the Programme and their subordinated institutions, from institutions and organizations which representatives are included in the National Task Force or who act as the experts.The tasks stated in the Programme are considered implemented if results specified in the column “Indicators of implementation” are achieved.23 tasks from 26 tasks stated in the Programme are tasks which are implemented or which are being implemented as permanent tasks or which implementation has been started in terms stated in the Programme. 9 tasks have been fully implemented. 13 tasks in the Programme are defined as permanent (regular or annual) tasks – these are the tasks which are related to preventive measures, the providing of social rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking, cooperation and exchange of information between institutions.Assessing all the information provided by the responsible institutions it follows that 3 tasks stated in the Programme have been started but due to various reasons are not completed in term defined by the Programme.Information about the implementation of the tasks stated in the Programme is included in the chapter “Summary on the implementation of the tasks stated in the Programme”.Summary on the implementation of the tasks stated in the Programme1. In order to coordinate the activities of governmental agencies, municipal institutions and non-governmental organizations within the implementation of the Programme for Prevention of Human Trafficking for Years 2009-2013 and to ensure the efficient exchange of information and coordinated actions related to the issues of the prevention and combating the human trafficking and the issues of providing the support of social services for the victims of human trafficking on March 3, 2010 an inter-institutional working group (National Task Force) by an order of the Prime Minister was established. The National Task Force and experts who are invited but are not members of the National Task Force is a well organized system which is able to deal with any challenge involving the changes related to the development of criminal offences related to human trafficking.I. The sub-goal of the Programme: To raise awareness of society on issue of human trafficking:2. In the implementation of this sub-goal during the period of assessment governmental agencies, municipal institutions and NGOs were involved in organizing the informative and educational activities to urge a problem of human trafficking in society by means of mass media (television, published sources and internet sources) in Latvia and Ireland, by informative campaigns and informative materials (brochures) distributing them in Riga and in regions of Latvia during informative activities at public places, educational institutions and social services, as well as organizing educational activities for branch specialists to increase their understanding about human trafficking and to improve their skills to identify possible victims of human trafficking.3. The significant informative campaigns and activities to inform society were organized and implemented in cooperation between the Ministry of the Interior, the State Police, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Employment Agency and the society “Shelter “Safe House””:– about fake marriages (marriages in convenience) as a form of human trafficking and risks;– safe traveling and risks of illegal employment;– what should be borne in mind using services provided by licensed private employment companies;– what should be borne in mind of pupils and students who after graduating secondary schools and universities would like to travel abroad to study or to find a job;– about safe traveling and behavior in emergency situations;– about the Consular Register;– how to apply for consular assistance in cases when inhabitants of Latvia have got into trouble in foreign countries;– about a role of governmental institutions and NGOs in elimination of human trafficking and providing the assistance for victims of human trafficking.4. Since the beginning of September, 2009 the State Police is implementing a campaign “Safe days at schools” during which among other issues of legal education pupils are informed and educated about risks and threats of human trafficking. Preschools, primary schools, secondary schools, specialized and professional education institutions were involved in the campaign throughout Latvia: in year 2009 in Riga region – 213 educational institutions, in Kurzeme region – 104, in Latgale region – 144, in Vidzeme region – 130, in Zemgale region – 106. During 2010 within a campaign “Safe days at schools” 2996 preventive measure were realized. In this campaign during 2010 1073 preschools, 1578 primary and secondary schools, 259 specialized and professional education institutions were involved. During 2010 in total 5129 preventive measures were realized by the State Police.5. In October 2010 within the project “Challenging Gender Roles for Prevention of Trafficking!” of the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta”” and Åland Islands Peace Institute, the project is financed by Central Baltic „INTERREG IV A” programme 2007-2013, the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta”” has started the implementation of weekly activities of youth groups. Throughout Latvia and in Riga in total 14 youth groups are established whose members are 13 – 16 years old. The objective of group activities is using various informal educative and interactive methods to prevent risks of human trafficking among young people.6. In year 2010 within the project “Challenging Gender Roles for Prevention of Trafficking!” the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta”” has started the implementation of several informative activities and social campaigns in order to make society aware about issues on prevention of human trafficking, legalization of prostitution, punishing of buyers of sexual services. Within the social campaign “Buy a girl – save the county!” web sites www.meitenes24.lv, www.izglabvalsti.lv and www.seksapolicija.lv were launched. Within the campaign the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta”” invited politicians, experts from areas of education, health care, economy and law enforcement to discuss legal regulation of prostitution.7. The Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Police and the Ministry of Welfare within their resources have organized educational events for specialists from different branches:– consular trainings: annual regional trainings of consular officials of Latvia for the consular officials working in the member states of Schengen and for the consular officials working in countries outside Schengen (training was organized within funding of the European External Borders Fund of the Framework Programme for Solidarity and Management of Migration Flows for 2007 – 2013, 25% – Latvian co-financing), as well as for diplomats and consular officials working in foreign diplomatic missions in Riga;– trainings for law enforcement officials to enhance their awareness about human trafficking, their role in prevention of human trafficking and to improve their skills to identify possible victims of human trafficking: in these trainings police officers, border guards, officials of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, prosecutors from Riga and the regions of Latvia, municipal police officers, one judge, officials of the State Employment Agency and the State Labor Inspectorate have participated;– trainings for specialists of social issues branch: the chairmen and officials of orphan courts from Riga and the regions of Latvia, officials of social assistance services form Riga and regions of Latvia, officials of the State Inspectorate for Protection of Children’s Rights have participated.8. The National Police College during the period of assessment have organized several seminars for the officers of the State Police for the improvement of necessary skills for prevention, combating and investigation of the criminal offences related to human trafficking, investigation of cases of human trafficking/pimping, international searching of missing persons. The National Police College has developed professional development training plan for the police officers of the regional offices of the State Police in year 2011. The professional development training plan consists of 6 training courses. Each training course provides an education of 20 police officers in each regional office and 40 police officers in Riga. During these trainings police officers will be educated who do not deal with issue of human trafficking in their daily work (officers on duty, inspectors of minors’ prevention, criminal police officers), but who could face the cases of human trafficking. Acquired knowledge would help identify possible cases of human trafficking and to take decision appropriately and forward information to respective institution, as well as to educate colleagues according to the principle “train the trainers”. On December 2010 in Riga the first training course was implemented in which 22 police officers of Riga Regional Board of the State Police have participated.9. The biggest municipality of Latvia – Riga Municipality is involved in the National Task Force and in the implementation of the Programme providing real financial support in the providing of preventive measures. Within funding 2`770 LVL granted from the Fund for providing public order in Riga a project “Preventive measures for the elimination of human trafficking” was implemented: two seminars, each of three days, during which 60 social workers have got knowledge about identification of victims of human trafficking, psychological assessment, stigmatization, needs, problems, providing of assistance, legal standards and provisions. The brochure “Human trafficking prevention” was developed and published in Latvian and Russian languages in 20`000 copies.10. The trainings for judges about issues on human trafficking actually have not been realized, because wide trainings on topic about human trafficking there were organized for judges in 2005, 2006 and 2007. On December 7, 2010 there was a Day of Criminal Justice during which the qualification of sex crimes was one of the discussed issue inter alia human trafficking was one of the four discussed types of criminal offences. 70 officials of court system took part in this event. Foundation Latvian Judicial Training Centre has informed that in the nearest future special trainings for judges about issues of human trafficking prevention are not planned because substantial amendments in legal acts in this field have not been done.11. The Ministry of Justice has submitted a project proposal within a call for proposals of European Union Programme „Criminal Justice” for judicial trainings about human trafficking in which the focus on labour exploitation and victim identification is planned. It is planned that the activity could be realized on 2012. The Ministry of the Interior of Latvia and the Ministry of Justice of Lithuania are invited as the partners within the project. It is planned that an announcement of confirmation or refusal will be received in spring 2011.12. The funding 7`000 LVL allocated to the Ministry of Welfare in 2009 for the implementation of trainings for social work specialists, the officials of the State Labor Inspectorate and the State Employment Agency (inter alia EURES (European Employment Services) consultants and their assistants) was diverted for the providing of the state funded social rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking. During 2010 no trainings organized by the Ministry of Welfare have taken place because the funding allocated for the trainings are still diverted for the providing of the state funded social rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking.13. The Ministry of Welfare has worked out the project of the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers “Amendments of The Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No.729 “Regulations regarding Procedures for the Acquisition of Special Knowledge in the Field of Protection of the Rights of the Child and the Content of Such Knowledge” (which prescribes the procedures by which specialists of the State and local government institutions who examine cases that are related to the protection of the rights of the child acquire special knowledge in the field of protection of the rights of the child, and the content of such knowledge) approved on 27 September, 2005 including topics on the issues of human trafficking. It is planned that the project of the Regulations will be approved until the end of 2011.14. The Ministry of Education and Sciences during year 2010 in order to improve professional competences of teachers 215 specialists (teachers and heads of education institutions) of secondary schools and professional education institutions were trained in informative and educative seminars and in eight professional development programmes about issues of prevention of human trafficking with the purpose for sexual exploitation.15. The Embassy of the United States of America in Riga, IOM Riga, IOM Moldova, IOM Ukraine, CBSS, CBSS TF-THB have provided professional and financial support in organizing and implementation of trainings for the officials of competent institutions. Very essential contribution was the training seminar about methods of identification of human trafficking cases and possibilities for victims of human trafficking to receive assistance organized in Riga on November 29 – December 2, 2010 by International Organization for Migration and the Embassy of the United States of America in Riga. About 40 participants from Riga and the regions of Latvia took part in the training seminar: the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Welfare, the State Police, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, the Social Assistance service of Riga City Council, the Municipal Police, prosecutors, the Orphan courts, NGOs: the society “Shelter “Safe House””, the foundation “Centre Dardedze” and the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta””.16. In September 2010 the international Nordic – Baltic conference “Stop Trafficking and Stand for Health!” which was realized as a part of Nordic Council of Ministers project „Nordic-Baltic Conferences on Health: Consequences of Sexual Trafficking and Obstacles to Health Care Access” which is administrated by Nordic School of Public Health in cooperation with the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta””. During the conference the issues were discussed about the consequences of sexual exploitation affecting person’s health and availability of medical care for persons who have suffered from sexual exploitation in the Nordic Countries and Baltic States. The representatives of the governments of the Baltic States and Nordic Countries, governmental institutions and NGOs as well as officials of branch ministries and municipalities of Latvia, police officers, border guards, prosecutors and representatives of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. This conference was the most important educational event during the last years where the issues about the mental and physical health of victim of human trafficking were discussed.17. The website www.cilvketirdznieciba.lv (www.trafficking.lv) is an informative space where qualitative information on all issues concerning the trafficking in human beings is available for public. It is a public tool where mutual communication between governmental institutions and society is provided. There are special discussion forums for teachers, social workers and victims of human trafficking. During the period of assessment the technical maintenance of the web portal was fully provided, but the maintenance of the content of the web portal was implemented within the available capacity of human resources. The full update of the content of the web portal will be implemented during 2011.18. At the same time the information about human trafficking, forms, risks, types of recruiters, employment abroad, consequences of human trafficking and possibilities of assistance for victims of human trafficking is accessible in websites of the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior, the State Police and websites www.sargi-sevi.lv, www.dzimba.lv, http://www.patverums-dm.lv/.19. Since the year 2007 no research work has been done in Latvia about a problem of human trafficking. In year 2010 the State Police in cooperation with the society “Shelter “Safe House”” had developed an application for a project “Assessment of free movement of individuals and update of national policies according to observed trends in the field of human trafficking” which main goal was to make an assessment and prepare report about the situation of human trafficking in Baltic States as well as to make a research about possibility of fake marriages between Latvian citizens and third-countries nationals in Ireland and Cyprus. The project application was submitted to the European Commission programme “Prevention of and Fight against Crime”, but the European Commission has refused the project.The competent institutions of Latvia had participated in researches conducted by CBSS TF-THB to assess current cooperation mechanisms between governmental institutions, especially law enforcement agencies and the civil society in providing assistance for victims of human trafficking in the region of Council of Baltic Sea States and to assess how existing information on data collection on human trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region is identified, systematised and analysed.20. In order to provide the awareness of society and foreign tourists several informative and help hotlines are provided:– In order to provide information and consultations about safe travel and other consular issues includind issues regarding risks of human trafficking concluding fake marriages and working abroad, in the Consular Departament of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informative hotline (80005905) for travelers free of charge was established on February 6, 2009.– In order to reduce the cases of deceit of tourists and to increase awareness of tourists about possibilities to receive various forms of assistance, the Tourism Development State Agency subordinated to the Ministry of Economics on January 4, 2007 had developed the hotline for tourists “The tourist hotline – 22033000”. In late 2009 the Agreement was concluded with Ltd. “Lattelecom BDO” which according to an anounced tender has became as the offical partner of the Tourism Development State Agency and provides the operation of official tourist information hotline. In order to use state budget funding as efficient as possible the decision was made not to introduce a new hotline but to use well known informative inquiry service hotline 1188. With the introduction of this service the foreign tourists have got information support 24 hours a day (in Russian, English and German) – assistance in emergency situations and other issues, mostly related to transportation, travel and recreational facilities, communications. In 2010, about 9`700 phone calls were received coming from a foreign phone numbers.– The special hotline (phone number 67181818) was introduced in Riga Municipal Police to get information about incidents with the guests of the city. Hotline is available 24 hours a day and it is possible to receive a consultation of police officer, to request the help of police, to provide information about possible unlawful action etc. in English language. Information about this hotline is published in brochure distributed in tourism agencies and hotels. On September 1, 2009 the specialized unit – Tourism unit was created with the aim to provide help for foreign citizens in non-standard situations and to control administrative violations done by foreign tourists. The personnel of the Tourism unit can communicate in English language; additionally some officials can speak fluently in German, Italian, Russian and other languages. The police officers of the Tourism unit patrols mainly in the central part of the city where are situated the places frequently visited by tourists, but in the case of necessity the police officers of the Tourism unit can serve all the territory of the city in order to provide help and assistance in the incidents in which foreign tourists are involved.– The hotline 80002012 of the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta”” is financed from proceeds received from selling of hand lotion „Soft Hands, Kind Heart” which was the product of social campaign “Stop children and youth sex trade” implemented by the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta”” and „The Body Shop”. In 2010, it was the only hotline on child and youth sex trafficking and safe employment abroad.II. The sub-goal of the Programme: To provide the support services for victims of human trafficking:21. The improvement of availability and quality of support services for victims of human trafficking as well as the enhancement of observation of legal acts prescribing the responsibilities of employers mainly has been achieved by the improvement of legal acts:22. On December 1, 2009 amendments in “Law on Social Services and Social Assistance” issued by Parliament on 31 October 2002 providing the rights for the EU citizens as well as a minor in the accompaniment thereof (inter alia Latvian) to receive social rehabilitation services had had enforced.23. Since October 7, 2009 a new legal regulation – the Article 172.3 “Illegal Involving of Children in Events” is introduced in the Latvian Administrative Violations Code which prescribes that in the case of involving of a child in beauty contest or in an event, where the only thing that is valued is his or her outer appearance, if done by natural person a fine in an amount from 250 LVL up to 500 LVL shall be imposed, but if done by legal person a fine in an amount from 500 LVL up to 1500 LVL shall be imposed. For the violation of legal acts prescribing procedures by which children may be involved in activities (events) concerned with the demonstration of outer appearance a warning shall be issued or if done by natural person a fine in an amount from 100 LVL up to 250 LVL shall be imposed, but if done by legal person a fine in an amount from 250 LVL up to 1000 LVL shall be imposed.24. During the year 2010 amendments in several legal acts were elaborated in order to adopt requirements of Directive 2009/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2009 providing for minimum standards on sanctions and measures against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals. It is planned to introduce the Directive until July 20, 2011. It is planned that the amendments in legal acts will facilitate that employers will eschew from unlawful action to recruit persons who are not entitled to enter and to reside in the Republic of Latvia. Consequently the possibilities that third-countries nationals will become the victims of labour exploitation will be reduced.The draft laws elaborated by the Ministry of Welfare are sent to the Cabinet of Ministers for harmonization:– in the Labour Law – prescribing the prohibition for employers to employ persons who are not eligible to enter and reside in the Republic of Latvia and prescribing responsibility of employer in connection with this prohibition;– in the Latvian Administrative Violations Code – prescribing administrative responsibility of employers for the employment of persons who are not eligible to reside in the Republic of Latvia, as well as prescribing administrative responsibility of “user undertaking” (which means any natural or legal person for whom and under the supervision and direction of whom a temporary agency worker works temporarily) for the violation of legal acts providing labour protection;– in the Criminal Law – in some cases prescribing criminal liability of employers for employment of persons who are not eligible to reside in the Republic of Latvia inter alia the responsibility for the employment of a minor or a person employed in particularly exploitative working conditions or if knowingly a victim of human trafficking is employed;– in Law on State Social Insurance – prescribing an obligation for employers who have employed a person who is not eligible to enter and reside in the Republic of Latvia to perform mandatory social insurance contributions for the entire period of employment of this person or three-month period if the actual duration of employment is not able to estimate;– in legal acts on the European Union Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund prescribing prohibition for employers who have employed a person who is not eligible to reside in the Republic of Latvia to receive such funding as well as to refund the funding received previously if it is realized that that the employer has employed a person who is not eligible to reside in the Republic of Latvia. Ministry of Finance is drawing up mentioned legal acts.25. In order to improve the availability and quality of social rehabilitation services offered to persons the Ministry of Welfare has assessed the current situation and necessity of amendments in the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No.889 “Regulations Regarding the Procedures, by Which Victims of the Traffic in Human Beings Receive Social Rehabilitation Services, and the Criteria for the Recognition of a Person as a Victim of the Traffic in Human Beings” approved on October 31, 2006 and the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No.291 “Requirements for Social Service Providers” approved on June 3, 2003. The introduction of amendments in the mentioned legal acts is planned in 2012.26. The Ministry of Welfare has started to consider necessity to define the language in which the contract of employment with foreigner should be drafted providing that the contract of employment should be drafted in Latvian language attaching the translation of the contract of employment in respective foreign language which is understandable by foreigner. On May 13, 2009 the Ministry of Welfare had organized a meeting about offered amendments in the Labour Law and it was decided that the Ministry of Welfare should prepare the wording for amendments in the Article 40 “Form of an Employment Contract” of the Labour Law. The proposal of amendments was discussed by the Trilateral Cooperation Subcouncil of Labour Affairs on February 4, 2011 as the proposal of draft law “Amendments in the Labor Law” which was submitted to the State Chancellery on January 31, 2011 for the consideration in the Cabinet of Ministers. During the meeting it was decided to continue the discussions on that proposal.27. The State Police provides the identification of the persons suffered from human trafficking and investigates criminal offences related to human trafficking. Every person who probably has became a victim of human trafficking is informed obligatory about the rights to receive rehabilitation services. The State Police before the implementation of procedural activities or if necessary during procedural activities offers victims of human trafficking to receive the state funded rehabilitation services. In the case of consent the society “Shelter “Safe House”” is invited which provides the state funded rehabilitation services.28. According to the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No.889 “Regulations Regarding the Procedures, by Which Victims of the Traffic in Human Beings Receive Social Rehabilitation Services, and the Criteria for the Recognition of a Person as a Victim of the Traffic in Human Beings” approved on October 31, 2006 which prescribe the procedures, by which a person who has been recognised a victim of the traffic in human beings shall receive social rehabilitation services for the State budget funds, and the criteria for the recognition of a person as a victim of the traffic in human beings, the Ministry of Welfare provides social rehabilitation services for the State budget funds. The Ministry of Welfare takes a decision regarding the provision of services or the refusal to provide services, enters into a contract with a provider of services regarding the provision of services, as well as controls the implementation of the referred to contract and the compliance of the amount of the services provided with the contract entered into, controls the quality of the services provided, establishes a database of the services provided and informs public organisations, law enforcement institutions, social service offices, medical treatment institutions and other institution involved regarding the possibilities of a person to receive services for the State budget funds.29. The society “Shelter “Safe House”” is the only organization which since the year 2007 has the rights to provide the state funded rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking and will continue this work in 2011.30. In the year 2009 12 victims of human trafficking received the state funded rehabilitation services for total amount of 28`264 LVL (the planned funding in 2009 was 17`000LVL). In the year 2010 14 victims of human trafficking received the state funded rehabilitation services for total amount of 34`132 LVL.31. The contract between the Ministry of Welfare and the society “Shelter “Safe House”” is signed about rehabilitation of 7 victims of human trafficking in year 2011. The allocated funding for this purpose is 22`680 LVL.32. The victims of human trafficking are offered to receive a special social-psychological rehabilitation, lawyer and medical advice, in the case of necessity a safe housing is provided, material support, assistance in acquiring new skills as well as in acquiring primary or additional education in order to help person to find a job. The content of help and social rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking does not depend on the type of human trafficking from which person has suffered. In the case of necessity adult and minor victims of human trafficking can be housed in the crisis centres within all the territory of Latvia.33. The society “Shelter “Safe House”” provides six months rehabilitation programme for victims of human trafficking. During these months the main goal is to reduce consequences of victim of human trafficking. The state funded rehabilitation programme provides five specialists consultations which should be provided by the service provider after victim’s rehabilitation. This programme does not provide integration of victims of human trafficking into society. The collection of data on inclusion or non-inclusion of the victim of human trafficking into society is not provided. The society “Shelter “Safe House”” collects information unofficially where are victims of human trafficking who had received rehabilitation programme and what are they doing, but the information about all victims of human trafficking is not available.34. In September 2010 the development of Criminal Proceedings Information System was finished which contains a specific Database on victims suffered from criminal offences. The following information about a person will be, amongst others, available:– formal information (personal data: name, surname, identification number, date of birth, nationality, gender, place of residence);– characterizing information (marital status, minor victim's guardianship / custody, and family situation, education, occupation);– information about the circumstances in which the person has suffered;– information about the relationship between victim and offender;– the type of assistance provided for victim;– the data on the performed expertise (determination of the health damage);– the compensation amount applied by the victim during pre-trial criminal proceeding and the reimbursed amount of compensation.III. The sub-goal of the Programme: To promote a cooperation between the public institutions ad NGOs:35. In order to provide fully the participation of NGOs in the process of decision making in the field of the prevention of human trafficking the representatives of the society „Shelter „Safe House”” and the society of „Resource Centre for Women „Marta”” are included in the National TF-THB. The coordination mechanism established by the Prime Minster is considered successful and previous cooperation are considered efficient.36. During the meeting of the National TF several important decisions were taken and initiatives which will improve substantially the work of competent institutions were launched:37. During the year 2010 time after time an information regarding possible labour exploitation and the victims of labour exploitation (the nationals of Latvia living in Latvia and the foreign countries, as well as foreigners in Latvia). In order to consider the necessity to introduce measures in the country to strengthen combating and prevention of labour exploitation the Ministry of the Interior has organized a meeting on September 7, 2010 about issues of combating and prevention of the form of human trafficking – labour exploitation. In the meeting representatives and experts from different competent institutions took part: the officials of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Welfare, the State Labor Inspectorate, the State Employment Agency, the State Police, the State Border Guard and the General Prosecution Office, and the representatives of the society „Shelter „Safe House”” and the society "Resource Centre for Women "Marta"". One of the conclusions taken by the participants of the meeting about further actions and necessary activities was to develop the list of criteria for the identification of the victims of labour exploitation and its approval by all the competent institutions, as well as to provide the harmonized information to other institutions which could come into contact with the victims of labour exploitation. Taking into consideration this decision the State Police has worked out the list of criteria for the identification of the victims of labour exploitation and the methodological recommendations for the investigation of such cases and has sent out to the regional offices of the State Police.38. Assessing the possible risks of human trafficking the State Police has recognized the conclusion of a fake marriage without a purpose to make a family in foreign countries as the possible risk of human trafficking. The conclusion of a fake marriage without a purpose to make a family in Latvia is criminalized if it contains the constituent elements of a criminal offence which correspond to the Article 154.1 „Human trafficking”, the Article 165.1 „Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation” or the Article 285.1„Ensuring the Possibility of Residing Illegally in the Republic of Latvia” of the Criminal Law. By criminalizing any action which facilitates the conclusion of a fake marriage without a purpose to make a family the main goal to prevent the development of organized crime and the increase of the flow of uncontrolled immigration will be achieved. Therefore to deal with this problem the State Police has elaborated a proposal for amendments in legal acts – to supplement the Criminal Law with an Article on the organizing a fake marriage without a purpose to make a family and to supplement the Article 190.3 „Failure to Notify Territorial Offices of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in a Timely Manner regarding Information to be Included in the Population Register” of the Latvian Administrative Violations Code with a new paragraph which states that in the case of failure to notify territorial offices of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs in a timely manner regarding information about concluded marriage in a foreign country to be included in the Population Register and foreseeing a punishment for such violations. The Ministry of the Interior encourages a further submission of the planned proposals to the Ministry of Justice for consideration in the permanent working groups of the Criminal Law and the Latvian Administrative Violations Code in which experts of administrative and criminal law participate. As soon as the project will be discussed and approved by these working groups it will be submitted to the working group of the State Secretaries of branch ministries starting the general procedure of the harmonization of legal acts.39. Simultaneously with the State Police’s work of the development of a proposal for amendments in legal acts to tackle a problem connected with the conclusion of a fake marriage without a purpose to make a family in foreign countries, in September, 2010 the society “Shelter “Safe House”” had started to plan an organization of an informative campaign „Fake marriage – a trap!”. The informative campaign was started with a press conference on January 18, 2011 during which it was announced that the amendments in the Criminal Law which would allow punishing of organizers of fake marriages are necessary urgently. During the press conference the representatives of the society “Shelter “Safe House”” has emphasized that in order to fight the increasing problem of human trafficking the public, municipal and NGO sectors have joined together as well as entrepreneurs who have supported the organization of press conference and informative campaign financially. During the informative campaign „Fake marriage – a trap!” the society was informed about the risks of human trafficking concluding fake marriages with the third countries citizens with or without reward as well as a survey was done to assess the awareness of society regarding fake marriages. The wide interactive activities were planned at the traffic points from which people travel from Latvia. The informative campaign „Fake marriage – a trap!” was supported by Philip Morris Latvia, Tallink Hotel Riga, Joint-Stock Company Riga International Bus Station, State Joint-Stock Company Latvia’s Railway, State Joint-Stock Company „International airport „Riga”, Joint-Stock Company Riga Passengers’ Port. Informative supporters: www.tvnet.lv, www.rus.tvnet.lv, www.draugiem.lv, www.apollo.lv.40. Since April, 2010 Riga Social Service cooperates successfully with the society “Shelter “Safe House””. Regularly once in two months a mutual exchange of information is realized between Social Work Section of Riga Social Service and the society “Shelter “Safe House”” about current events which are useful for the work of social workers with clients. The social workers of Riga Social Service are informed about services provided by the society “Shelter “Safe House”” and in case of necessity are able to inform possible victims of human trafficking about these services.41. In October 5, 2010 was a meeting of Head of Riga Social Service, Head and personnel of Social Work Section and during which a previous and further cooperation was discussed. During the meeting an verbal agreement was achieved that in case of necessity Riga Social Service will contact the society “Shelter “Safe House”” about persons who have suffered from human trafficking or there are suspicious about such case, as well as the society “Shelter “Safe House”” will immediately contact Social Work Section if there will be a victim of human trafficking living in Riga Municipality and will plan further cooperation in providing help and assistance for a person suffered from human trafficking.42. In October 12, 2010 the signature collection campaign “Against sex trade” was started in Riga Railway Station by the NGOs of Latvia: the society „Resource Centre for Women „Marta””, the foundation “Centre Dardedze”, the society “Papardes zieds”, the youth society of “Red Cross”. This campaign was launched within the campaign “Against trade of children and youth” which is a global project of “The Body Shop” started in 2009 with a sign collection campaign with an appeal to local legislative power to react and adopt a law restricting human trafficking and providing assistance for the victims of human trafficking. The aim of the global campaign is to collect thousands of signatures all around the world and to submit them to United Nations Organization in 2011. The society „Resource Centre for Women „Marta”” the collected more the eight thousands of signatures ceremonially presented to parliamentarians of the Commission of Human Rights and Public Affairs on December 10, 2010 – the Day of International Human Rights.43. In Latvia no case has been stated when persons would travel to Latvia form other countries with the purpose of sex tourism to exploit minors. No case has been stated when persons from Latvia would travel to other countries with the purpose of sex tourism to exploit minors in destination countries. In Latvia the development of legal acts and policy planning documents in the field of tourism is based on the values included in the World Tourism Ethics Code which states that exploitation of human beings in all forms of exploitation inter alia sexual exploitation, especially if it concerns children, is in contradiction with basic objectives of tourism and is negation of tourism. Therefore according international laws it should be combat severely in cooperation with all involved countries by punishing according the legal acts of visited countries, as well as according the legal acts of country of origin of the person who has committed a crime even if crimes were committed in foreign countries. Although the application of the World Tourism Ethics Code is based on a principle of voluntary participation and a principle of unanimity, the observation of the included principles is essential for continuous development of the tourism’s branch. The policy of tourism in Latvia has been developed and implemented so that Latvia would be considered as safe and reliable destination country for tourists. Implementing the state development policy of tourism the Ministry of Economics participates in the National Task Force and implements activities providing cooperation and exchange of information on issues related to the prevention and combating the human trafficking.44. On April 13, 2010 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Regulations No.353 “Regulations Regarding the Rights and Duties of Tourism Operators, Tourism Agents and Clients, the Procedures for the Preparation and Implementation of a Package Tourism Service, the Information to be Provided to a Client and the Procedures for Deposition of Security Guarantee of Money” establishing more clearly duties and responsibilities of tourism agents and tourism operators, prescribing development of the database of tourism agents and tourism operators, prescribing the procedures for the registration of tourism agents and tourism operators in this database, as well as prescribing the provision of the security guarantee of money deposited by clients. On June 14, 2010 the registration of tourism agents and tourism operators was started free of charge in the database of tourism agents and tourism operators developed by the Ministry of Economics.45. During the period of evaluation according to the requests of nationals of Latvia the diplomatic missions of Latvia has checked information about potential employer and has provided contact information of competent institutions related to employment issues of foreign countries and Latvia. The information about possibilities of assistance in case of deception was provided.46. Developing cooperation with the diplomatic missions of Latvia in order to provide accessible information about the state funded safe return of victims of human trafficking the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organizes annual trainings for consular personnel in which topics on problem of human trafficking and its combating are included. Therefore consular personnel is informed about financial support, social and psychological rehabilitation for victims of human trafficking which is provided and funded by social services in Latvia. A consular official is informed about procedure and available assistance in case if a victim of human trafficking approaches embassy for help.47. In order to deal with the issue of the development of outreach work and identification of potential victims of human trafficking, the possibilities of cooperation were considered and discussed by the National Task Force: the possibilities for representatives of NGOs together with crews of Municipal Police to go for patrolling during which to distribute informative materials and provide consultations for prostitutes. In December, 2010 an agreement with Riga Municipal Police was achieved that the security of representatives of NGOs will be provided during spot checks during which the outreach work is provided. In order to use the resources of the State Police more effective the Riga Regional Police Board of the State Police realizes the coordination of measures of control to restrict prostitution in Riga region as well as coordination of topical controls in the cooperation with Riga Municipal Police, regional offices of the State Police and NGOs.IV. The sub-goal of the Programme: To prevent human trafficking by improving work of law enforcement agencies:48. The State Police with the aim to combat human trafficking and related organized sexual exploitation diverts its resources for many years into identification of traffickers and gathering of necessary evidences against the organizers of theses crimes, therefore the convictions are achieved. Since the year 2003 the implemented anti-trafficking strategy has given positive results. The main objective has been achieved – human trafficking is decreasing, organized involvement of minors and their sexual exploitation has been eliminated, as well as violence against adult persons engaged in prostitution.49. The substantial changes in the field of human trafficking in Latvia are not ascertained. Latvia constantly should be considered as a country of origin of victims of human trafficking and there are no reasons to assert that Latvia has became a country of transit and/or country of destination for victims of human trafficking. Comparing the number of criminal proceedings when persons were called to justice for sending the persons for sexual exploitation in foreign countries stability in years 2009 and 2010 in this field was observed.50. During the period of assessment not a single case of the case of transit of human trafficking has been recorded, as well as not a single case of human trafficking to Latvia or internal human trafficking according to the understanding of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol) has been recorded.51. The statistical summary about initiated criminal proceeding according to the Article 154.1 „Human trafficking”, the Article 165.1 „Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation” according to the data provided by the State police:| |2009 |2010 || |number of criminal proceeding (type |3 (2-forced marriages, 1 – sexual |3 (about possible human ||Article 154.1 „Human |of exploitation) |exploitation) |trafficking cases in foreign ||trafficking” | | |countries: 2 – sexual || | | |exploitation, 1 – forced || | | |marriages) || |number of suspected |male |2 |2 || |persons | | | || | |female |2 |2 || |number of victims |male |0 |0 || | |female |5 (25-30 ages) |3 (1 – 17 ages, 2 – 25-30 ages) || |number of criminal proceedings |31 |28 ||Article 165.1 „Sending a | | | ||Person for Sexual | | | ||Exploitation” | | | || |number of suspected |male |25 |from them 7 foreigners |19 || |persons | | | | || | |female |10 | |15 || |number of victims |male |0 |0 || | |female |0 |4 (25-30 ages); || | | |21 person have agreed to cooperate with|37 police officers women || | | |the State Police and bear testimony; |undercover || | | |48 police officers women undercover | || |number of suspected |male |17 |24 || |persons | | | || | |female |11 |12 || |number of victims |male | | || | |female | | |52. The number of persons suffered from human trafficking which is incommensurately smaller in comparison with number of detained organizers of human trafficking that is explainable that the State Police in order to not assume possible cases of human trafficking using extended definition of human trafficking within criminal cases which are investigated for criminal offences prescribed in the Article 165.1 „Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation”, prevents perpetration of criminal offence in its begging and uses the specially trained police officers women undercover as the possible victims of human trafficking who legally are not victims, but they are witnesses within criminal proceeding. In 2009 48 specially trained police officers women undercover were used within special operations and in 2010 – 37 specially trained police officers women undercover who received a status of victim in further criminal proceeding. Accordingly during the assessment period at least 85 women were not subjected to human trafficking according to the extended definition of human trafficking prescribed by the Republic of Latvia in Criminal Law by ratifying international legal acts.53. The Criminal Procedure Law of Latvia contains very high guarantee of human rights and a person can be recognized as a victim only with consent of this person. In most cases victims of human trafficking willingly cooperate with the State Police providing essential testimonies against organizers of human trafficking and sending of persons for sexual exploitation, but they refuse a possibility to receive the state funded social rehabilitation for victims of human trafficking even having a status of witness because according they opinion they don not need it.54. In order to improve efficiency of combating the human trafficking which is a cross border problem the State Border Guard continues actively cooperate with competent institutions of neighboring countries: the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Belarus and the Federation of Russia – on the ground of annual bilateral agreements and protocols on cooperation, which require more active exchange of information on illegal immigration with special focus on nationals from Central and South-East Asia, Middle East, as well as Africa who are smuggled over the state border especially over the state border between Latvia and Russian Federation, and to increase preventive measures with regard to illegal immigration and human trafficking.55. Law enforcement agencies regularly participate in the elaboration of national and international risk assessments on criminal offences on the ground of results of investigative work and pre-trial investigation, offer proposals on combating of cross border crime inter alia about prevention of human smuggling. Latvian law enforcement agencies participate in the elaboration of the risk and threat assessments organized by Interpol and Europol and which contain information about human trafficking with the purpose of sexual exploitation, about overall situation in the field of human trafficking, about money laundering of means obtained from human trafficking and illegal immigration. The State Police once in a month elaborates tactical assessment of criminal activities connected with prostitution, pimping, human trafficking and related unlawful activities, by collecting information from all regional offices of the State Police and summaries on activities done by them within their territory of responsibility to ascertain activities related to prostitution, pimping, human trafficking and involved persons.56. The Chief Prosecutor of the Criminal Law Department of the General Prosecutor’s Office issues an order every half a year on the priorities in the supervision of investigation of special kinds of criminal offences and in calling to justice of guilty persons. The Article 154.1 „Human trafficking” of the Criminal Law was stated as a priority among other criminal offences.57. The Statistical summary on criminal cases adjudicated in the Court of First Instance according to the Article 154.1 „Human trafficking”, the Article 165.1 „Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation” according to the data provided by the Court Information System:| |2009 |2010 || |number of cases which have not been adjudicated before the period |1 |4 ||Article 154.1 „Human |of assessment | | ||trafficking” | | | || |number of received cases |3 |1 || |number of finished cases |0 |3 || |number of cases which have not been adjudicated after the period |4 |2 || |of assessment | | || |number of convicted persons |inter alia women |1 |1 || | |25-29 |0 |0 || | |30-49 |0 |2 || | |50 and more |0 |0 || |basic punishment - deprivation |until 1 year |0 |0 || |of liberty | | | || | |1-3 ages(included) |1 (additional |0 || | | |punishment | || | | |confiscation of | || | | |property and | || | | |deportation from the| || | | |Republic of Latvia) | || | |3-5 ages(included) |0 |0 || | |5-10 ages(included) |0 |0 || | |suspended sentence |0 |2 || |other basic punishments |a fine |0 |0 || |number of cases which have not been adjudicated before the period |7 |8 ||Article 165.1 „Sending a |of assessment | | ||Person for Sexual | | | ||Exploitation” | | | || |number of received cases |12 |26 || |total number of finished cases |11 |18* || |number of cases which have not been adjudicated after the period |8 |16 || |of assessment | | || |number of convicted persons |inter alia women |14 |4 || | |25-29 |2 |6 || | |30-49 |10 |9 || | |50 and more |0 |1 || |basic punishment - deprivation |until 1 year |0 |1 || |of liberty | | | || | |1-3 ages (included) |1 |2 (in 1 case additional || | | | |punishment confiscation of || | | | |property) || | |3-5 ages (included) |1 (additional |1 || | | |punishment | || | | |confiscation of | || | | |property) | || | |5-10 ages (included) |1 |2 || | |suspended sentence |10 |14 || |other basic punishments |a fine |1 |0 |* within one criminal proceeding a claim on moral damage was sustained by two victims and a court has met demand partly, stating that convicted person should pay 180 LVL to each victim.58. The following feature has still remained that detained organizers of human trafficking (women) in mostly cases had been involved in prostitution before or they continue to prostitute in foreign countries and at the same time recruit women and send them to foreign countries for sexual exploitation by starting their own business of providing sexual services in foreign countries or wishing to earn additional proceeds from foreign pimps as a reward for each recruited women.59. In the mostly cases recruiters are coincidental persons who had not been involved in recruitment before or who had had a request to assist and find persons in Latvia who would like to prostitute legally in brothels. Usually recruitment is organized through internet and social networks, among street and flat prostitutes or among friends and acquaintances. Recruiters provide airplane or bus ticket to travel to destination country or offer to convey a person themselves by private means of transportation. In fact the transportation does not happen because the State Police in order to not assume possible cases of human trafficking using efficient legislation of Latvia overtakes a commitment of crime and almost in all cases uses specially trained police officers women undercover and in cooperation with officials of the Criminal Investigation units of the State Border Guard detains recruiters at the state border.60. The officials of the State Border Guard in cooperation with the officials of the Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs, the State Police and the State Labor Inspectorate carry out spot checks at companies to control observation of foreigners’ employment requirements and to detect foreigners who reside in country illegally and who probably could be victims of human trafficking with purpose for forced labor.61. In order to eliminate the demand for child sexual exploitation involving a child in producing of pornographic materials the units of the State Police in cooperation with, the Latvian National Bureau of Interpol, the Latvian National Bureau of Europol and NGOs actively combats crimes related to dissemination of criminalized pornography in cyberspace (sexual exploitation of children, zoophilia, and necrophilia). Europol the production and distribution of organized child pornography has classified like organized crime, while Interpol – as a kind of human trafficking.62. In order to enhance the actions to fight human trafficking on global level and to pay more targeted attention to the rights of victims of human trafficking by harmonizing the rights of victims of human trafficking in throughout the European Union and prescribing that children victims of human trafficking has the rights to receive legal assistance free of charge, on December 14, 2010 the European Parliament by a majority vote had approved the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings, and protecting victims, repealing Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA. The Council’s working group had had sustainable work in order to achieve the best and the most eligible compromise solution between member states and the European Parliament. It is important to mention that the mentioned project of Directive is very special because it contains material standards of criminal law (for example, extended definition of exploitation to conform it to the actual situation), as well as procedural standards which are addressed to the reinforced protection of victims of human trafficking. It is prospective that the mentioned project of Directive will be approved during the presidency of Hungary.63.|No |Tasks for achievement of the results of the |Terms of implementation |Progress of implementation of tasks |Responsible institutions|Indicators of || |Programme | | | |implementation ||I Data collection, researches || |To perform a research in order to assess the |2013 |In year 2010 the State Police in cooperation with the society “Shelter “Safe House”” had |the Ministry of the |The implementation of the || |current situation and the effectiveness of | |developed an application for a project “Assessment of free movement of individuals and update|Interior |task has been started || |implemented activities by the law enforcement| |of national policies according to observed trends in the field of human trafficking” which | | || |institutions in the field of human | |main goal was to make an assessment and prepare report about the situation of human | | || |trafficking | |trafficking in Baltic States as well as to make a research about possibility of fake | | || | | |marriages between Latvian citizens and third-countries nationals in Ireland and Cyprus. The | | || | | |project application was submitted to the European Commission programme “Prevention of and | | || | | |Fight against Crime”, but the European Commission has refused the project. | | || | | |Within one of the activities it was planned to perform comprehensive situation assessment | | || | | |about the situation of human trafficking in the Baltic States inter alia including | | || | | |information about places and types of recruitment of victims of human trafficking, | | || | | |psychological aspects of victims why persons agree to prostitute, statistics, legal acts etc.| | || | | |It was planned in result of assessment to propose amendments in legal acts and to develop and| | || | | |conclude the Memorandum of Understanding between the State Police and the NGO on cooperation | | || | | |in prevention of human trafficking and in rehabilitation of victims. | | || | | |It was planned to implement this Project in cooperation with the Police Department of | | || | | |Lithuania, the Latvian society „Shelter „Safe House””, Lithuanian NGO „Caritas Lithuania”, | | || | | |Estonian NGO ”Living for tomorrow”, the Police of Cyprus and Garda Siochana of Ireland | | || | | |(consent about partnership from all these partners was received). The planned total funding | | || | | |was ~ 627`722.99 euro, from them 80% the funding of the European Commission, co-funding of | | || | | |Latvia – 20%. It was planned to start the Project on June 2011, duration – 3 years. | | || | | | | | || | | |The competent institutions of Latvia had participated in the development of regional research| | || | | |“Human Trafficking in Baltic Sea Region: coopertion between state and civil society in the | | || | | |field of assistance and protection of victims of human trafficking” conducted by United | | || | | |Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and CBSS TF-THB. The objective of the research was | | || | | |to assess actual mechanisms of cooperation between public institutions, law enfircement | | || | | |agencies and civil society in providing assistance for victims of human trafficking in the | | || | | |CBSS region. In this assessment a separate chapter about Latvia is available where concrete | | || | | |spheres are highlighted to which Latvia should pay more attention. The representatives of | | || | | |Latvian competent institution actively were involved in the development of this chapter. The | | || | | |research is acsessible on websites www.cbss.org/tfhb and | | || | | |www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/publications.html . | | || | | | | | || | | |In 2010 CBSS TH-THB has started an assessment about data collection mechanisms in all CBSS | | || | | |TF-THB member states. the Objective of this assessment was how existing information on data | | || | | |collection on human trafficking in the Baltic Sea Region is identified, systematised and | | || | | |analysed. the assessment will be published in the second part of April, 2011. | | || |To collect and update the information about |regularly |On November and December 2009 the Ministry of Welfare had organized 5 professional |the Ministry of Welfare |The implementation of the || |specialists who had participated at the | |development seminars for heads of orphan courts. The officers of the State Police had | |task has been started and || |trainings organized and financed by the | |participated as lecturers about topic “Risks of human trafficking”. In total 163 persons – | |are being implemented || |Ministry of Welfare | |all the heads of Latvian orphan courts had participated. | |within available resources || | | | | | || | | |On year 2010 due to the reduce of funding and increase of number of human trafficking victims| | || | | |it was decided not to organize trainings financed by the Ministry of Welfare, but planned | | || | | |funding to divert for providing of social rehabilitation services for human trafficking | | || | | |victims. | | || | | | | | || | | |It is planned to collect data about persons participated in trainings about human trafficking| | || | | |as soon as such trainings will start again. | | || | | | | | || | | |The Ministry of the Interior within its competence collects data about participation of | | || | | |officials of competent institutions and representatives of NGOs in training courses and | | || | | |seminars which are organized in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior. | | ||II Improvement of the legal acts || |To draft the project of the Regulations of |2010 |The Ministry of Welfare has worked out the project of the Regulations of the Cabinet of |the Ministry of Welfare |The task has been || |the Cabinet of Ministers “Amendments of The | |Ministers “Amendments of The Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No.729 “Regulations | |accomplished: project is || |Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers | |regarding Procedures for the Acquisition of Special Knowledge in the Field of Protection of | |drafted || |No.729 “Regulations regarding Procedures for | |the Rights of the Child and the Content of Such Knowledge”. These Regulations are bound with | | || |the Acquisition of Special Knowledge in the | |amendments of the Protection of the Rights of the Child Law, which demand to specify mandate | | || |Field of Protection of the Rights of the | |about trainings. According to the working plan of the Ministry of Welfare where it is stated,| | || |Child and the Content of Such Knowledge”” | |that “Updated procedure for acquiring expertise on children’s rights protection (persons are | | || |approved on 27 September, 2005, in order to | |specified who are bounded with acquisition of special knowledge and obligations of | | || |define more exactly procedures for the | |institutions which provide trainings), detailed model of the programme is developed and/or | | || |acquisition of special knowledge including | |methodology for trainers”. The deadline for the implementation of this task is after approval| | || |topics on the issues of human trafficking | |of the Protection of the Rights of the Child Law in the 2nd reading in Parliament. Thus it is| | || | | |planned that the project of Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers will be adopted before | | || | | |the end of 2011. | | || |To introduce amendments in the legal acts |2010 |During the year 2010 amendments in several legal acts were elaborated in order to adopt |the Ministry of Welfare |The task has been || |with the aim to strengthen the responsibility| |requirements of Directive 2009/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June| |accomplished: || |of employers for non-observance of the | |2009 providing for minimum standards on sanctions and measures against employers of illegally| |the Ministry of Welfare has|| |requirements of legal acts regarding guest | |staying third-country nationals. It is planned to introduce the Directive until July 20, | |drafted amendments in || |workers invited by the employers | |2011. It is planned that the amendments in legal acts will facilitate that employers will | |several legal acts || | | |eschew from unlawful action to recruit persons who are not entitled to enter and to reside in| | || | | |the Republic of Latvia. Consequently the possibilities that third-countries nationals will | | || | | |become the victims of labour exploitation will be reduced. | | || | | |The draft laws elaborated by the Ministry of Welfare are sent to the Cabinet of Ministers for| | || | | |harmonization: | | || | | |in the Labour Law – prescribing the prohibition for employers to employ persons who are not | | || | | |eligible to enter and reside in the Republic of Latvia and prescribing responsibility of | | || | | |employer in connection with this prohibition; | | || | | |in the Latvian Administrative Violations Code – prescribing administrative responsibility of | | || | | |employers for the employment of persons who are not eligible to reside in the Republic of | | || | | |Latvia, as well as prescribing administrative responsibility of “user undertaking” (which | | || | | |means any natural or legal person for whom and under the supervision and direction of whom a | | || | | |temporary agency worker works temporarily) for the violation of legal acts providing labour | | || | | |protection; | | || | | |in the Criminal Law – in some cases prescribing criminal liability of employers for | | || | | |employment of persons who are not eligible to reside in the Republic of Latvia inter alia the| | || | | |responsibility for the employment of a minor or a person employed in particularly | | || | | |exploitative working conditions or if knowingly a victim of human trafficking is employed; | | || | | |in Law on State Social Insurance – prescribing an obligation for employers who have employed | | || | | |a person who is not eligible to enter and reside in the Republic of Latvia to perform | | || | | |mandatory social insurance contributions for the entire period of employment of this person | | || | | |or three-month period if the actual duration of employment is not able to estimate; | | || | | |in legal acts on the European Union Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund prescribing | | || | | |prohibition for employers who have employed a person who is not eligible to reside in the | | || | | |Republic of Latvia to receive such funding as well as to refund the funding received | | || | | |previously if it is realized that that the employer has employed a person who is not eligible| | || | | |to reside in the Republic of Latvia. Ministry of Finance is drawing up mentioned legal acts. | | || |To consider the necessity to define the |2010 |On May 13, 2009 the Ministry of Welfare had organized a meeting about offered amendments in |the Ministry of Welfare,|The task has been || |language in which the contract of employment | |the Labour Law and it was decided that the Ministry of Welfare should prepare the wording for|the Ministry of |accomplished: || |with foreigner should be drafted providing | |amendments in the Article 40 “Form of an Employment Contract” of the Labour Law. The proposal|Education and Sciences, |the proposal is developed || |that the contract of employment should be | |of amendments was discussed by the Trilateral Cooperation Subcouncil of Labour Affairs on |the Ministry of the | || |drafted in Latvian language attaching the | |February 4, 2011 as the proposal of draft law “Amendments in the Labor Law” which was |Interior | || |translation of the contract of employment in | |submitted to the State Chancellery on January 31, 2011 for the consideration in the Cabinet | | || |respective foreign language which is | |of Ministers. During the meeting it was decided to continue the discussions on that proposal.| | || |understandable by foreigner | | | | || |To revise the Regulations of the Cabinet of |2010 |The Ministry of Welfare has assessed the current situation and necessity of amendments. The |the Ministry of Welfare |The task has been || |Ministers No.889 “Regulations Regarding the | |introduction of amendments in the mentioned legal acts is planned during 2012. | |accomplished: || |Procedures, by Which Victims of the Traffic | | | |assessment has been done, || |in Human Beings Receive Social Rehabilitation| | | |the introduction of || |Services, and the Criteria for the | | | |amendments will be done in || |Recognition of a Person as a Victim of the | | | |2012 || |Traffic in Human Beings” approved on 31 | | | | || |October 2006 and the Regulations of the | | | | || |Cabinet of Ministers No.291 “Requirements for| | | | || |Social Service Providers” approved on 3 June | | | | || |2003 in order to improve the availability and| | | | || |quality of social rehabilitation offered to | | | | || |persons | | | | || |To introduce amendments in “Law on Social |2009 |29.10.2009. Law „ Amendments in Law on Social Services and Social Assistance” (published in |the Ministry of Welfare |The task has been || |Services and Social Assistance” issued by | |Official Magazine "LV", 182 (4168), 17.11.2009.) [came into force 01.12.2009.] | |accomplished: || |Parliament on 31 October 2002 providing the | | | |project of amendments is || |rights for the EU citizens as well as a minor| | | |drafted, the law has came || |in the accompaniment thereof (inter alia | | | |into force on 01.12.2009. || |Latvian) to receive social rehabilitation | | | | || |services | | | | || |To consider the necessity to introduce |2010 |Process of evaluation continues |the Ministry of Welfare,|The implementation of the || |amendments in the legal acts in order to | | |the Ministry of the |task has been started || |provide appropriate assistance for potential | | |Interior | || |victims of human trafficking before the | | | | || |submission of the application on granting of | | | | || |reflection period or a temporary residence | | | | || |permit | | | | || |To draft project of the law “Amendments of |2010 |Since October 7, 2009 a new legal regulation – the Article 172.3 “Illegal Involving of |the Ministry of Welfare |The task has been || |Latvian Administrative Violations Code” which| |Children in Events” is introduced in the Latvian Administrative Violations Code which | |accomplished: || |provides responsibility for violation of the | |prescribes that in the case of involving of a child in beauty contest or in an event, where | |draft law has been || |Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers | |the only thing that is valued is his or her outer appearance, if done by natural person a | |elaborated and came in || |No.407 “Procedures by Which Children may be | |fine in an amount from 250 LVL up to 500 LVL shall be imposed, but if done by legal person a | |force on 07.10.2009. || |Involved in Activities (Events) Concerned | |fine in an amount from 500 LVL up to 1500 LVL shall be imposed. For the violation of legal | | || |with the Demonstration of Outer Appearance” | |acts prescribing procedures by which children may be involved in activities (events) | | || | | |concerned with the demonstration of outer appearance a warning shall be issued or if done by | | || | | |natural person a fine in an amount from 100 LVL up to 250 LVL shall be imposed, but if done | | || | | |by legal person a fine in an amount from 250 LVL up to 1000 LVL shall be imposed. | | ||III Implementation of preventive measures | || |To update information in Internet on issues regarding THB risks, prevention, possibilities of assistance || |To improve and update information available on website www.cilvektirdznieciba.lv : || |To provide informative and technical |regularly |For the technical maintenance of the website www.cilvektirdznieciba.lv in year 2009 2`017 LVL |the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |maintenance of the website | |was available and in year 2010 2`017 LVL was available. |Interior |has been accomplished: || | | | | |informative and technical || | | |During the period of assessment the technical maintenance of the website was fully provided, | |maintenance of the website || | | |but the maintenance of the content of the website was implemented within the available capacity| |provided || | | |of human resources by placing the most important information. | | || | | | | | || | | |In 2010, during the planning of the budget of the Ministry of the Interior for year 2011 the | | || | | |funding for the technical maintenance of the website was provided. | | || | | | | | || | | |In 2011, the Ministry of the Interior is planning to take over the technical maintenance of | | || | | |website and to cover only the most necessary technical consultations with the developments | | || | | |engineers of the website www.cilvektirdznieciba.lv . | | || | | | | | || | | |The website www.cilvketirdznieciba.lv (www.trafficking.lv) is an informative space where | | || | | |qualitative information on all issues concerning the trafficking in human beings is available | | || | | |for public. It is a public tool where mutual communication between governmental institutions | | || | | |and society is provided. | | || |To provide information about current |regularly |In the website of the Ministry of Welfare under sectin For parents/Social rehabilitation |the Ministry of Welfare|The task in 2009 and 2010 || |activities and changes in the providing of | |(http://www.lm.gov.lv/text/288) is publicly available information about possibilities for | |has been accomplished: || |the social rehabilitation services for | |victims of human trafficking to receive social rehabilitation services. There is also a | |actual information has been|| |victims of human trafficking, as well as | |reference to the society “Shelter “Safe House”” which has the rights to provide social | |placed and updated on the || |trainings for specialists | |rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking, the website | |website of the Ministry of || | | |(http://www.patverums-dm.lv/) . | |Welfare || |To provide on website information on |regularly |On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a special section “For travelers” is |the Ministry of Foreign|The task in 2009 and 2010 || |possibilities and scope of available | |accessible where information and recommendations is placed for persons who are intended to |Affairs |has been accomplished: || |assistance in the diplomatic and consular | |travel abroad including visa procedure, about documents which should be brought with traveling | |information has been || |missions of Latvia in foreign countries | |abroad, warnings for travelers, the Consular Register. In relevant sections are links to | |updated regularly on the || | | |competent institutions of Latvia and foreign countries. Information on the website of the | |website of the Ministry of || | | |Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been regularly updated. | |Foreign Affairs || |To improve websites for children, their |regularly |In cyberspace various websites are accessible which are connected together with informative |the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |parents, youth and specialists of respective | |links. Information about problem of human trafficking is accessible for children, their |Interior |has been accomplished: || |sectors. To update websites www.dzimba.lv and| |parents, youth as well as branch specialists. | |information was provided || |www.jaunatneslietas.lv about topics of | | | | || |humantrafficking and/or to place a link to | |On website www.dzimba.lv there are links, for example: | | || |website www.cilvektirdznieciba.lv . | |www.sargi-sevi.lv – it is a website in Latvian language for children who care about their | | || | | |safety and safety of their friends and relatives. There is a chapter Human Trafficking where | | || | | |information can be found about human trafficking, explaining why and how youth become victims | | || | | |of human trafficking, about risks of human trafficking, types of recruiters, about employment | | || | | |abroad, consequences of human trafficking and possiblities of assisstance for persons suffered | | || | | |from human trafficking. | | || | | |www.drossinternets.lv – it is a website wher children can improve their awareness about safety | | || | | |in internet. | | || | | | | | || |To implement informative events to educate |regularly |On February 6 – 8, 2009, and February 5 – 7, 2010, the Consular Departament of the Ministry of|the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |society on the issues of human trafficking | |Foreign Affairs had participated in the international tourism exibition “Balttour 2009” and |Interior, the Ministry |has been accomplished: || |and the possibilities for victims of human | |“Balttour 2010”. |of Foreign Affairs |informative events have || |trafficking to receive assistance | |During exibition visitors were informed about issues which should be known for travelling to | |been implemented || | | |foreign countries, action in emergency situations, about the possibilities to register in the | | || | | |Consular Register, about risks related to job seeking in foreign countries. The Ministry of | | || | | |Foreign Affairs had offered informative brochures about safe travel and and possibilities to | | || | | |receive an assistance. | | || | | | | | || | | |In March and April, 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had organized campaign “Month of safe| | || | | |travel”. During this campaign the representatives of the Consular Department of the Ministry of| | || | | |Foreign Affairs had attented various schools un Universities in Riga and cities of Latvia (for | | || | | |example, Jelgava, Rēzekne, Daugavpils, Valmiera, Liepāja) informing about principles of safe | | || | | |travel, in Universities telling about fake marriages and issues of illegal employment. The | | || | | |published materials were offered about these issues prepared in compendious manner. | | || | | | | | || | | |During 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had organized several press conferences and | | || | | |seminars for representatives of mass media about issues related to safe travel to foreign | | || | | |countries, what to do in emergencies situations. Additionally the Ministry of Foreign Affairs | | || | | |and diplomatic missions of Latvia in foreign counties advise before leaving country with the | | || | | |purpose to work or to travel, carefully to make sure about destination cauntry of planned | | || | | |travel, about potential employer, travel documents, period of validity of travel documents, | | || | | |about necessity to obtain health and life insurance policy before leaving country, what should | | || | | |be known in order not to be deceived. Special attention was paid to issues of fake marriages | | || | | |and risks of becoming victim of human trafficking concluding fake marriage. | | || | | | | | || | | |So that a number of concluded fake marriages by Latvian citizens in Ireland still had remained | | || | | |very high the Embassy of Latia in Ireland had initiated two publication in magazine “Diena” and| | || | | |regional magazines in Latvia, in internet wbsites in Latvia and Ireland. | | || | | | | | || | | |Since the beginning of September, 2009 the State Police is implementing a campaign “Safe days | | || | | |at schools” during which among other issues of legal education pupils are informed and educated| | || | | |about risks and threats of human trafficking. Preschools, primary schools, secondary schools, | | || | | |specialized and professional education institutions were involved in the campaign throughout | | || | | |Latvia: in year 2009 in Riga region – 213 educational institutions, in Kurzeme region – 104, in| | || | | |Latgale region – 144, in Vidzeme region – 130, in Zemgale region – 106. During 2010 within a | | || | | |campaign “Safe days at schools” 2996 preventive measure were realized. In this campaign during | | || | | |2010 1073 preschools, 1578 primary and secondary schools, 259 specialized and professional | | || | | |education institutions were involved. | | || | | | | | || | | |The State Police had organized informative activiets for pupils and students about pssible | | || | | |risks of human trafficking, riks related to employment in foreign countries. They were informed| | || | | |about risks of fake marriages and illegal employment. | | || | | | | | || | | |From October 21 until November 28, 2009 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the| | || | | |State Employment Agency had organizes informative campaign “Be informed before accept job offer| | || | | |in foreign country!” in ten cities of Latvia. The representatives of the Consular Department of| | || | | |the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had informed about the most common risks and problems in | | || | | |foreign countries. The State Employment Agency had informed about issues related to agencies | | || | | |providing work placement services. The campaign was started with a press conference in Riga and| | || | | |informative seminars were organized in Daugavpils, Valmiera, Saldus, Jēkabpils, Jelgava, | | || | | |Ventspils, Liepāja, Madona and Rēzkne. During these seminars visitors were informed about | | || | | |action in emergency situation, problems of fake marriages. | | || | | | | | || | | |The campaign “Fake marriage – a trap!” took place from October 22 until December 23, 2009 and | | || | | |was organized by the NGO “Shelter “Safe House””. During this campaign 2-3 serious cases of the | | || | | |fake marriage (situations which demanded urgent assistance for the victims) were registered | | || | | |every week and the State Police was informed about these cases. 30 persons received assistance | | || | | |by e-mail regularly. Since the beginning of the campaign information about the problem of | | || | | |marriage of convenience was disseminated in Internet (in 19 web pages – Latvian and | | || | | |international) and about 819 persons had acquainted with that information every day, in total | | || | | |the information was read 47`486 times. The aim of the campaign was to inform and to warn the | | || | | |society about possible consequences of the marriages of convenience. The campaign was financed | | || | | |by the NGO “Shelter “Safe House””. | | || | | | | | || | | |The State Police had continued its work in the improvement of awareness of society, informing | | || | | |about activities and results of the State Police by TV, radio and published mass media. On the | | || | | |popular broadcasts in Latvia the representatives of the State Police had provided information | | || | | |about actual issues of combating of human trafficking, inter alia about providing the sexual | | || | | |services in facilities providing massage. | | || | | | | | || | | |During 2010 in total 5129 preventive measures were realized by the State Police. | | || | | | | | || | | |In spring 2010 the Regional Office of the State Police in Kurzeme region in cooperation with | | || | | |Liepāja City Council, Ventspils City Council, Youth Centre in Liepāja and Rotari Clun had | | || | | |developed a layout and had published informative brochure “Huamn Trafficking Prevention” in | | || | | |5`000 copies for distribution in Kurzeme region. The brocher contains information about human | | || | | |trafficking pronblem, recruiting, fake marriages, employment in foreign countries, etc as well | | || | | |as hotlines in Latvia. The developed layout in cooperation between Riga Municipality, the | | || | | |Ministry of the Interior, the scociety “Shelter “Safe House””, the Ministry of Welfare was | | || | | |adapted for the needs of Riga and according to the initiative of the Department of Welfare of | | || | | |Riga City Council The brochure “Human trafficking prevention” was developed and published in | | || | | |Latvian and Russian languages in 20`000 copies. | | || | | | | | || | | |In year 2010 within the project “Challenging Gender Roles for Prevention of Trafficking!” the | | || | | |society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta”” has started the implementation of several | | || | | |informative activities and social campaigns in order to make society aware about issues on | | || | | |prevention of human trafficking, legalization of prostitution, punishing of buyers of sexual | | || | | |services. Within the social campaign “Buy a girl – save the county!” web sites | | || | | |www.meitenes24.lv, www.izglabvalsti.lv and www.seksapolicija.lv were launched. | | || |To develop informative material about human |2011 |Information about employment possibilities in foreign countries is available on web site |the Ministry of Welfare|The task has been || |trafficking risks and where to approach in | |http://www.nva.lv/eures/. | |accomplished: || |cases when their rights are violated, etc. | |Informative material “Be informed before accept job offer abroad” is developed. Brochure on | |informative material || |for job seekers who depart the country for | |issues about employment, which contains also advices and information where to approach in cases| |developed || |the employment in foreign countries | |of violation of person’s rights is available in the State Employment Agency and in it web page.| | || | | |The State Employment Agency has not developed a specialized informative material about risks of| | || | | |human trafficking for job seekers who go to foreign countries but this information is included | | || | | |in brochure “Human Trafficking Prevention” | | || | | |(http://www.ventspilnieki.lv/images/userfiles/rakstuatteli/Buklets_CilvekuTirdzniecibasNoversan| | || | | |a.pdf). | | || | | |Additional information about human trafficking is available on web site | | || | | |http://www.cilvektirdznieciba.lv/ . | | || |To implement educational events for | |On November 15, 2010 in Riga there was a training/exchange of experience video conference | | || |specialists in order to raise their awareness| |organized by the Embassy of the United States of America in Riga. The training was about the | | || |and understanding about human trafficking and| |maintenance of “hotline” system for prevention of human trafficking and identification of human| | || |about their role in the prevention of human | |trafficking victims in order to provide that representatives of institutions and organizations | | || |trafficking, and to improve their skills to | |who supervise/perform “functions of operators of hotline” in their daily work and who could | | || |identify possible victims of human | |identify possible cases of human trafficking and to support their further dealing (prevention, | | || |trafficking | |prosecution, assistance etc). In the trainings took part representatives from the State Police,| | || | | |emergency hotline 112, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Welfare, and the Consular | | || | | |Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tourism unit of Riga Municipal Police, the | | || | | |State Inspectorate for Protection of Children’s Rights, the State Employment Agency and the | | || | | |society “Shelter “Safe House”. | | || | | | | | || | | |In September 20-21, 2010 the international Nordic – Baltic conference “Stop Trafficking and | | || | | |Stand for Health!” took place in Riga; during the conference the issues were discussed about | | || | | |the consequences of sexual exploitation affecting person’s health and availability of medical | | || | | |care for persons who have suffered from sexual exploitation in the Nordic Countries and Baltic | | || | | |States. Various branch experts from Latvia and other Baltic and Nordic Countries had | | || | | |participated at the conference. | | || | | | | | || | | |In Riga on November 29 – December 2, 2010 the training seminar about methods of identification | | || | | |of human trafficking cases and possibilities for victims of human trafficking to receive | | || | | |assistance was organized by International Organization for Migration and the Embassy of the | | || | | |United States of America in Riga. About 40 participants from Riga and the regions of Latvia | | || | | |took part in the training seminar: the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign | | || | | |Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Welfare, the State Police, the Office of | | || | | |Citizenship and Migration Affairs, the Social Assistance service of Riga City Council, the | | || | | |Municipal Police, prosecutors, the Orphan courts, NGOs: the society “Shelter “Safe House””, the| | || | | |foundation “Centre Dardedze” and the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta””. | | || | | | | | || | | |On December 8-10 and December 20-22, 2010 in Riga on initiative of the Department of Welfare of| | || | | |Riga City Council in cooperation with the society “Shelter “Safe House””, the Ministry of the | | || | | |Interior, the State Police and the General Prosecutor’s Office two seminars, each of three days| | || | | |were implemented “Preventive measures for the elimination of human trafficking” during which 60| | || | | |social workers have got knowledge about identification of victims of human trafficking, | | || | | |psychological assessment, stigmatization, needs, problems, providing of assistance, legal | | || | | |standards and provisions. | | || |To perform trainings for consular and |regularly |In October and November 2009 in Budapest and Baku the Consular Department of the Ministry of |the Ministry of Foreign|The task in 2009 and 2010 || |diplomatic personnel | |Foreign Affairs organized annual regional trainings for consular officials of Latvia serving at|Affairs |has been accomplished || | | |the diplomatic missions of Latvia in Schengen and non-Schengen countries. Regional consular | | || | | |trainings addressed the various questions of interest for the consular officers according to | | || | | |the regional specific features. | | || | | | | | || | | |In May and November 2010 the consular trainings for Latvian consular officials were organized | | || | | |in Riga, Berlin and Minsk. | | || | | | | | || | | |In all the training programmes the issues of human trafficking and its combating, new trends, | | || | | |as well as assistance possibilities available for victims of human trafficking were included. | | || | | |The representatives of the competent institutions were invited as lecturers (the State Police, | | || | | |NGOs). | | || | | | | | || | | |Implementing the strategic activity of the Council of Baltic Sea States Task Force against | | || | | |Trafficking in Human Beings of the period 2008-2010: trainings on human trafficking for | | || | | |diplomatic and consular officials in the Baltic Sea region, the Ministry of the Interior in | | || | | |cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CBSS TF-THB and the International | | || | | |Organization for Migration (IOM) on November 10, 2010 organized a seminar on human trafficking| | || | | |for foreign diplomatic and consular staff in Riga. The seminar was attended by 69 | | || | | |representatives: the embassies (Azerbaijan, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech | | || | | |Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Italy, | | || | | |Israel, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, | | || | | |Sweden, Turkey, USA, Ukraine), the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, | | || | | |the Ministry of Welfare, the State Police and the society “Shelter “Safe House””. | | || |To perform trainings for military personnel |regularly |Assessing the urgency of the issue of human trafficking especially in connection with the fact |the Ministry of Defense|The implementation of the || |before missions in foreign countries | |that the units of the National Armed Forces participate in international operations where | |task has been started || | | |exactly the Latvian National Armed Forces’ soldiers are faced with the problems of human | | || | | |trafficking the Ministry of Defense plans to launch an initiative to develop training | | || | | |materials/programmes for directly pre-mission operations trainings. Officials responsible for | | || | | |human trafficking issues of competent authorities will be invited to participate in the | | || | | |development of the training materials/programmes. | | || |To perform trainings for social workers, |annually |The funding 7`000 LVL allocated to the Ministry of Welfare in 2009 for the implementation of |the Ministry of Welfare|The task in 2009 and 2010 || |officials of State Labor Inspectorate, | |trainings for social work specialists, the officials of the State Labor Inspectorate and the | |has been accomplished || |officials of State Employment Agency, EURES | |State Employment Agency (inter alia EURES (European Employment Services) consultants and their | |partly: || |(European Employment Services) consultants | |assistants) was diverted for the providing of the state funded social rehabilitation services | |the training were available|| |and their assistants | |for victims of human trafficking. During 2010 no trainings organized by the Ministry of Welfare| |for small number of || | | |have taken place because the funding allocated for the trainings are still diverted for the | |specialists || | | |providing of the state funded social rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking. | | || | | | | | || | | |The officials of the Ministry of Welfare, the State Labor Inspectorate and the State Employment| | || | | |Agency regularly participate in trainings and seminars organized by other branch ministries and| | || | | |institutions, the Embassy of the United States of America in Riga and IOM. | | || |To perform trainings for officials of law |annually |On June 21, 2010 the society “Shelter “Safe House”” in cooperation with the Ministry of the |the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |enforcement institutions | |Interior and with the financial support of the Embassy of the United States of America in Riga |Interior, the Ministry |has been accomplished: || | | |has organized the trainings “Conference “Cooperation between the State and the NGOs in |of Justice |law enforcement officials, || | | |elimination of the human trafficking” during which following topics were discussed: the | |prosecutors, judges were || | | |political and legal frame for elimination of human trafficking in Latvia; recognition, | |trained || | | |collecting of information, forwarding of the cases of human trafficking; the role of the | | || | | |Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the providing of assistance for the citizens of Latvia in | | || | | |foreign countries; labor exploitation; problems within the criminal proceeding regarding the | | || | | |realization of the rights of the victims; psychological assessment of the victim of human | | || | | |trafficking; cooperation between public and non-governmental organizations in combating human | | || | | |trafficking and in victim's recognition; providing of the assistance for the victims of human | | || | | |trafficking. In total 137 participants from various institutions have participated in the | | || | | |trainings, from them 20 police officers, 21 border guard, 6 prosecutors and a judge. | | || | | | | | || | | |The National Police College during the period of assessment have organized several seminars for| | || | | |the officers of the State Police for the improvement of necessary skills for prevention, | | || | | |combating and investigation of the criminal offences related to human trafficking, | | || | | |investigation of cases of human trafficking/pimping, international searching of missing | | || | | |persons. The National Police College has developed professional development training plan for | | || | | |the police officers of the regional offices of the State Police in year 2011. The professional | | || | | |development training plan consists of 6 training courses. Each training course provides an | | || | | |education of 20 police officers in each regional office and 40 police officers in Riga. During | | || | | |these trainings police officers will be educated who do not deal with issue of human | | || | | |trafficking in their daily work (officers on duty, inspectors of minors’ prevention, criminal | | || | | |police officers), but who could face the cases of human trafficking. Acquired knowledge would | | || | | |help identify possible cases of human trafficking and to take decision appropriately and | | || | | |forward information to respective institution, as well as to educate colleagues according to | | || | | |the principle “train the trainers”. On December 2010 in Riga the first training course was | | || | | |implemented in which 22 police officers of Riga Regional Board of the State Police have | | || | | |participated. | | || | | | | | || | | |In 2009, the National Police College hosted seminars for the State Police officials to improve | | || | | |the necessary skills on the following subjects: | | || | | |( the international search of missing persons ; | | || | | |( the aspects of prevention, combating and investigation of crimes related to human | | || | | |trafficking. | | || | | |In 2010, the National Police College has organized a seminar for State Police officers to | | || | | |improve necessary skills on the topic “Investigation of Human Trafficking/Soutenerism cases”. | | || | | | | | || | | |During 2009 and 2010, the personnel of the Sate Police had participated in various seminars, | | || | | |trainings and skills development courses organized by other institutions in Latvia and in | | || | | |foreign countries: | | || | | |September 2009, seminar on combating of human trafficking issues organized by the Nordic – | | || | | |Baltic Network for Police (NBNP) in Denmark, Copenhagen and Lithuania, Vilnius; | | || | | |December 2009, regional conference on the promotion of cooperation between law enforcement | | || | | |institutions and NGOs to fight against un prevent human trafficking in the Baltic Sea region | | || | | |organized by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Council of Baltic Sea | | || | | |States (CBSS) in Sweden, Stockholm; | | || | | |January 2010, conference “Mobility Programme 2010” on issues of combating human trafficking | | || | | |organized by the Nordic – Baltic Network for Police (NBNP); | | || | | |March 2010, conference on issues of combating human trafficking organized by the Nordic – | | || | | |Baltic Network for Police (NBNP) in Russia, Sankt-Peterburg; | | || | | |March 2010, expert seminar on issues of combating human trafficking organized by CBSS Unit of | | || | | |Children at Risk within the project “Baltic Sea Region – Information Management to Prevent | | || | | |Trafficking” funded by the European Commission Daphne III programme, in Lithuania, Vilnius; | | || | | |May 2010, seminar on actual problems comabating human trafficking organized by CEPOL in | | || | | |Lithuania, Vilnius; | | || | | |May 2010, conference “Prevention and control of human trafficking – regional aspects” organized| | || | | |by CBSS and the Ministry of the Interior of Lithuania in Lithuania, Vilnius; | | || | | |June 2010, international seminar on essential aspects of comabating human trafficking in | | || | | |Belarus, Vitebsk; | | || | | |September 2010, seminar on combating and prevention of children trafficking organized by CBSS | | || | | |Unit of Children at Risk within the project “Baltic Sea Region – Information Management to | | || | | |Prevent Trafficking” funded by the European Commission Daphne III programme, in Estonia, | | || | | |Tallin; | | || | | |October 2010, practical training seminar “Multidisciplinary support system for victims of | | || | | |violence” organized by the foundation of the social services “Family Crisis Center” in | | || | | |cooperation with the Piedmont International Adoption Agency and the Vilnius Crisis Centre for | | || | | |women and children , in Lithuania, Vilnius; | | || | | |October 2010, international conference “Fight against Human Trafficking: new challenges and | | || | | |threats. Joint action of governments, Ios and NGOs” organized by IOM, the Ministry of the | | || | | |Interior of Belarus, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), Swedish | | || | | |Institute, in Belarus, Vitebsk. | | || | | | | | || | | |3 prosecutors have participated in following international projects and conferences: | | || | | |trainings “Fight against human trafficking in Europe” organized by the European Commission in | | || | | |Belgium, Brussels; | | || | | |conference “Combating of human trafficking: the best practice and strengthening of cooperation”| | || | | |organized by OSCE in Kazakhstan, Alma-Ati; | | || | | |international conference on children’s rights protection who have suffered from criminal | | || | | |offences organized by Swedish Crime Victim Compensation and Support Authority in Sweden, | | || | | |Stockholm. | | || | | | | | || | | |On December 7, 2010 there was a Day of Criminal Justice during which the qualification of sex | | || | | |crimes was one of the discussed issues inter alia human trafficking was one of the four | | || | | |discussed types of criminal offences. 70 officials of court system took part in this event. | | || |To improve control and supervision of |2010 |The Project of the Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers „Amendments in the Regulation of the |the Ministry of Welfare|The task has been || |merchants – providers of work placement | |Cabinet of Ministers No 458 issued on July 3, 2007 „Procedures for Licensing and Supervision of| |accomplished: || |services | |Merchants – Providers of Work Placement Services”” has been drawn up. The objective of this | |the project of legal act is|| | | |legal act is to improve control and supervion of merchants – providers of work placement | |developed || | | |services in order to reduce risks of human trafficking, which is serious violation of human | | || | | |rights and criminal offence against human dignity and integrity, using preventive measures in | | || | | |the field of supervision of merchants – providers of work placement services. | | || | | | | | || | | |According to the Working Plan of the Ministry of Welfare for 2011 it is planned to submit this | | || | | |draft legal act to the working group of the State Secretaries of branch ministries in the first| | || | | |quarter of 2011. | | || | | | | | || | | |The following activities have been impleneted to improve of yhe supervion of merchants – | | || | | |providers of work placement services: | | || | | |in December 10, 2009 a new internal legal act of the State Employment Agency No 112 “The | | || | | |Procedure of Licendsing and Supervision of Merchants – Providers of Work Placement Services in | | || | | |the State Emplyment Agency” has became in force ; | | || | | |a new form for reporting about work placement services has been elaborated to provide | | || | | |acquisition of transparent necessray information from the providers of work placement services;| | || | | |improvements to inspection report have been done for the implementation of inspections in work | | || | | |places of provider of work placement services; | | || | | |a new model of contract for job seekers has been developd about providing of work placement | | || | | |services which includes the main conditions for the protection of job seekers’ interests; | | || | | |the interagency agreement between the State Employment Agency and the Information Centre of the| | || | | |Minsitry of the Interior has been concluded on October 6, 2010, about searching of information | | || | | |regarding criminal records of merchants and members of their institutions. | | ||IV Improvement of the cooperation between the State institutions and NGOs || |To draft and to conclude the Agreement on |2010 |Within the Council of Baltic Sea States Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings the |the Ministry of the |The implementation of the || |cooperation between the NGOs and the State | |Memorandum of Understanding was developed. MoU is a universal model and is applicable in the |Interior |task has been started || |Police | |Baltic Sea region countries and other regional groups/countries. MoU aims at better cooperation| | || | | |in the fight against human trafficking in practice, the application of prevention, education, | | || | | |information, prosecution, and protection of potential and actual victims of human trafficking. | | || | | |In addition to the Memorandum of Understanding the project of Annex has been developed which | | || | | |prescribes cooperation between NGOs and law enforcement agencies in prevention of potential and| | || | | |actual victims of human trafficking, education and providing of assistance and protection. | | || | | |The MoU can serve as the ground document for the development of national Agreement on | | || | | |cooperation between the NGOs and the State Police. MoU would be the formal document governing | | || | | |the cooperation mechanism. | | || | | | | | || | | |On March 23, 2011 in Oslo, Norway CBSS TF-THB is organizing the working seminar during which | | || | | |the MoU and Annex of MoU on cooperation between law enforcement agencies and NGOs/social | | || | | |rehabilitation service providers will be presented and discussed by the CBSS TF-THB national | | || | | |coordinators, law enforcement agencies and NGOs of CBSS TF-THB member states. | | || |To consider expediency and in the case of |2010 |In order to coordinate the activities of governmental agencies, municipal institutions and |the Ministry of the |The task has been || |necessity to establish the Advisory Council | |non-governmental organizations within the implementation of the Programme for Prevention of |Interior |accomplished: || |for the coordination of the activities of the| |Human Trafficking for years 2009-2013 and to ensure the efficient exchange of information and | |according to the order no || |State institutions and agencies, local | |coordinated actions related to the issues of the prevention and combating the human trafficking| |77 issued by the Prime || |government institutions and NGOs | |and the issues of providing the support of social services for the victims of human trafficking| |Minister on Marc 3, 2010 || | | |on March 3, 2010 an inter-institutional working group (National Task Force) by an order of the | |inter-institutional working|| | | |Prime Minister was established. | |group (the National Task || | | |The Ministry of the Interior coordinates the introduction of the Programme and organizes the | |Force) has been established|| | | |work of the National Task Force. | | || | | |In the National Task Force the representatives of various competent institutions and | | || | | |organizations are included: the Ministry of the Interior, the State Police, the State Border | | || | | |Guard, the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, the Ministry of Welfare, the Ministry | | || | | |of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Sciences, the Ministry of Defense, the | | || | | |Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economics, the Department of Welfare of the Riga City | | || | | |Council, the Committee of Public Order, Security and Prevention of Corruption of the Riga City | | || | | |Council, the Municipal Police, the State Agency of Medicines and NGOs: the society “Shelter | | || | | |“Safe House”” and the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta””, the State Labor | | || | | |Inspectorate, the State Employment Agency. | | || | | | | | || | | |Since the establishment of the National Task Force it had had 3 TF meetings (April 15, | | || | | |September 3, and December 10, 2010). | | || |To organize the meetings for the State |regularly |In January 2009, NGO “Women’s Rights Institute” has organized a meeting with the researchers |the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |institutions and NGOs involved in the issues | |from the University of California of the United States of America about issues concerning |Interior |has been accomplished || |of human trafficking | |topics which are related to prevention of human trafficking and prevention of violence against | | || | | |women. The officials of The State Police presented information about activities of the State | | || | | |Police as well as discussions about actual issues on prevention and combating human trafficking| | || | | |and violence against women took place. | | || | | | | | || | | |In January 2009, annual meeting of the representatives of governmental institutions and NGOs of| | || | | |Latvia and the Consular Section of the Embassy of the United State of America in Riga was held.| | || | | |During the meeting issues on current cooperation and the development of partnership in the | | || | | |field of crime prevention including combating of human trafficking and sexual exploitation were| | || | | |discussed. | | || | | | | | || | | |In June 2009, a meeting of the representatives of the State Police of Latvia, the Ministry of | | || | | |Justice of Poland and the Victim Support Centre was held. During the meeting the practical | | || | | |issues were discussed related to the investigation, development of cooperation on combating and| | || | | |prevention of human trafficking with other competent national authorities, as well as the model| | || | | |of action with victims of human trafficking. | | || | | | | | || | | |In March 2010, the officials of competent authorities had participated in round table | | || | | |discussions on the topic “Prostitution in Latvia – problems and solutions” organized by the | | || | | |Association of Contraceptology and Reproductive Health of Latvia and the Faculty of Law on Riga| | || | | |Stradins University. | | || | | | | | || | | |In April 2010, the officials of competent authorities had participated in the discussion “Save | | || | | |the country!” organized by the society “Resource Centre for Women “Marta”” on problems | | || | | |concerning actual problems of reduce of human trafficking and prostitution. | | || | | | | | || | | |In June, 2010, the representative of the State Border Guard and the State Employment Agency of | | || | | |Latvia had had a meeting with the Nordic Police and Customs Liaison Officer Janne Hyytiainen | | || | | |and the Swedish Criminal Police Superintendent Walter Kego. During the meeting issues regarding| | || | | |risks of human trafficking for forced labor and deceitful activities in the field of providing | | || | | |services of employment were discussed. | | || | | | | | || | | |During the year 2010 time after time an information regarding possible labour exploitation and | | || | | |the victims of labour exploitation (the nationals of Latvia living in Latvia and the foreign | | || | | |countries, as well as foreigners in Latvia). In order to consider the necessity to introduce | | || | | |measures in the country to strengthen combating and prevention of labour exploitation the | | || | | |Ministry of the Interior has organized a meeting on September 7, 2010 about issues of combating| | || | | |and prevention of the form of human trafficking – labour exploitation. In the meeting | | || | | |representatives and experts from different competent institutions took part: the officials of | | || | | |the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Welfare, the | | || | | |State Labor Inspectorate, the State Employment Agency, the State Police, the State Border Guard| | || | | |and the General Prosecution Office, and the representatives of the society „Shelter „Safe | | || | | |House”” and the society "Resource Centre for Women "Marta"". One of the conclusions taken by | | || | | |the participants of the meeting about further actions and necessary activities was to develop | | || | | |the list of criteria for the identification of the victims of labour exploitation and its | | || | | |approval by all the competent institutions, as well as to provide the harmonized information to| | || | | |other institutions which could come into contact with the victims of labour exploitation. | | || | | |Taking into consideration this decision the State Police has worked out the list of criteria | | || | | |for the identification of the victims of labour exploitation and the methodological | | || | | |recommendations for the investigation of such cases and has sent out to the regional offices of| | || | | |the State Police. | | || | | | | | || | | |In September 2010, according to the initiative of the society “Shelter “Safe House”” and public| | || | | |relation company “Ahoy Public Relation” there was a discussion about the problem of human | | || | | |trafficking, during which a meeting with Mr.Jamie Smith, journalist of social affairs of The | | || | | |Irish Times, was organized with participation of governmental representatives from the National| | || | | |Task Force. The objective of this meeting was to reflect in comprehensive manner the Latvia’s | | || | | |situation in the field of reducing/elimination of fake marriages. The representatives of the | | || | | |Ministry of the Interior, the State Police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of | | || | | |Citizenship and Migration Affairs, the General Prosecutor’s Office and the society “Shelter | | || | | |“Safe House”” had participated in the meeting. In the result of this meeting The Irish Times | | || | | |had published the article series about the cooperation between Latvia and Ireland in the field | | || | | |of prevention the fake marriages as a kind of human trafficking. These articles had received | | || | | |very wide attention not only in mass media of Latvia and Ireland, but also in various European | | || | | |news websites. | | || | | | | | || | | |In October 5, 2010 was a meeting of Head of Riga Social Service, Head and personnel of Social | | || | | |Work Section and during which a previous and further cooperation was discussed. During the | | || | | |meeting it had been decided that the society “Shelter “Safe House”” would conduct training | | || | | |seminar for social workers of Riga Social Service about issues of human trafficking. | | || | | | | | || | | |In October 26, 2010 the first time a meeting with participation of the society “Resource Centre| | || | | |for Women “Marta”” and the heads of Organized Crime Enforcement Board of the State Police was | | || | | |organized about issues concerning the possible cooperation to detect crimes related to human | | || | | |trafficking and the adjustment and supervision of activities in Internet to prevent possible | | || | | |risks of human trafficking. During the meeting an issue regarding preventive measures to inform| | || | | |and educate society and to reduce human trafficking, about changes in the Criminal Law | | || | | |addressing against increase of demand of sexual services and trade. | | || | | | | | || | | |In 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and consular officials of the diplomatic missions of | | || | | |Latvia in foreign countries had organized meetings with the representatives of competent | | || | | |institutions of Ireland and Cyprus to discuss actual issues in the context of fake marriages | | || | | |and possible solutions to restrict them. In the result of discussions according to the proposal| | || | | |of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia in the second part of 2010 in Ireland additional | | || | | |bureaucratic hindrance for the conclusion of fake marriage was introduced (notices about | | || | | |marital status were demanded, legalization of birth certificates were performed). | | || |To promote the cooperation between the State |regularly |On June 21, 2010 the society “Shelter “Safe House”” in cooperation with the Ministry of the |the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |institutions and NGOs by implementing joint | |Interior and with the financial support of the Embassy of the United States of America in Riga |Interior, the Ministry |has been accomplished: || |projects | |has organized the trainings “Conference “Cooperation between the State and the NGOs in |of Welfare |the joint projects have || | | |elimination of the human trafficking” during which following topics were discussed: the | |been implemented || | | |political and legal frame for elimination of human trafficking in Latvia; recognition, | | || | | |collecting of information, forwarding of the cases of human trafficking; the role of the | | || | | |Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the providing of assistance for the citizens of Latvia in | | || | | |foreign countries; labor exploitation; problems within the criminal proceeding regarding the | | || | | |realization of the rights of the victims; psychological assessment of the victim of human | | || | | |trafficking; cooperation between public and non-governmental organizations in combating human | | || | | |trafficking and in victim's recognition; providing of the assistance for the victims of human | | || | | |trafficking. In total 137 participants from various institutions have participated in the | | || | | |trainings. | | || | | | | | || | | |In year 2010 the State Police in cooperation with the society “Shelter “Safe House”” had | | || | | |developed an application for a project “Assessment of free movement of individuals and update | | || | | |of national policies according to observed trends in the field of human trafficking” which was | | || | | |submitted to the European Commission programme “Prevention of and Fight against Crime”, but the| | || | | |European Commission has refused the project. | | || |To provide in cooperation with NGOs State |regularly |In 2009, the allocated funding for the providing of social rehabilitation services for victims |the Ministry of Welfare|The task in 2009 and 2010 || |funded social rehabilitation services for | |of human trafficking was 17`000 LVL. | |has been accomplished: || |identified victims of human trafficking | | | |in 2009 the state funded || | | |In September 25, 2009 the Ministry of Welfare had announced a tender on the rights to provide | |social rehabilitation || | | |state funded social rehabilitation for victims of human trafficking in October, November and | |services had received 12 || | | |December 2009. The funding for providing of social rehabilitation services planned for 5 | |victims of human || | | |victims of human trafficking. The society “Shelter “Safe House”” had won the tender. | |trafficking, allocated || | | | | |funding – 28`264 LVL, in || | | |Until October 1, 2009 12 persons had received state funded social rehabilitation services from | |2010 – 14 victims of human || | | |which 7 victims of human trafficking had been identified in year 2008. All the identified | |trafficking, allocated || | | |victims of human trafficking were adult and Latvia was their country of origin. | |funding – 34`132 LVL || | | | | | || | | |In the beginning of the allocated funding for social rehabilitation of 5 victims of human | | || | | |trafficking was 16`254 LVL. In June 1, 2009 additional funding 6`502 LVL was allocated for | | || | | |providing of social rehabilitation of 2 victims of human trafficking. In November 1, 2009 was | | || | | |allocated additional funding 16`254 LVL for providing of social rehabilitation of 5 victims of | | || | | |human trafficking, which was divided respectively – 2009 – 5`508 LVL and 2010 – 10`746 LVL. | | || | | | | | || | | |Wherewith the total allocated funding in 2009 was 28`264 LVL for social rehabilitation of 12 | | || | | |victims of human trafficking, and the funding 10`746 LVL for continuation of social | | || | | |rehabilitation of 5 victims of human trafficking had been diverted to year 2010. | | || | | | | | || | | |In 2010 the state funded social rehabilitation was provided for 14 persons, total allocated | | || | | |funding was 34`132 LVL. | | || | | | | | || | | |The consultations by telephone and e-mail had been provided. | | || | | |The society “Shelter “Safe House”” is the only organization which since the year 2007 has the | | || | | |rights to provide the state funded rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking and| | || | | |will continue this work in 2011. | | || | | | | | || | | |The Agreement between the Ministry of Welfare and the society “Shelter “Safe House”” is signed | | || | | |for the providing of social rehabilitation services for 7 victims of human trafficking in 2011.| | || | | |The allocated funding is 22`680 LVL. | | || | | | | | || | | |The victims of human trafficking are offered to receive a special social-psychological | | || | | |rehabilitation, lawyer and medical advice, in the case of necessity a safe housing is provided,| | || | | |material support, assistance in acquiring new skills as well as in acquiring primary or | | || | | |additional education in order to help person to find a job. The content of help and social | | || | | |rehabilitation services for victims of human trafficking does not depend on the type of human | | || | | |trafficking from which person has suffered. In the case of necessity adult and minor victims of| | || | | |human trafficking can be housed in the crisis centres within all the territory of Latvia. | | || |To develop outreach social work in order the |regularly |On April 15, 2010 the National Task Force has discussed cooperation possibilities to improve |the Ministry of the |The task are being || |social workers in cooperation with the State | |outreach social work. The representatives of the State Police, the Municipal Police and the |Interior, the Ministry |implemented within || |Police could identify potential victims of | |society “Shelter “Safe House”” have offered opinions about possibilities to improve outreach |of Welfare |available resources: || |human trafficking and to help them to contact| |social work mainly drawing attention to the necessity of mutual cooperation and support for | |the issue about the || |the State Police or other institutions which | |outreach social work. The employees of the society “Shelter “Safe House”” have participated in | |development of outreach || |could provide the assistance | |patrols before together with NGO “Dialogi” and the patrol crews of the Municipal Police. It was| |social work has been || | | |proposed that the representatives of NGOs together with crews of Municipal Police could to go | |discussed within the || | | |for patrolling during which to distribute informative materials and provide consultations for | |National Task Force, || | | |prostitutes. In December, 2010 an agreement with Riga Municipal Police was achieved that the | |possible ways of || | | |security of representatives of NGOs will be provided during spot checks during which the | |cooperation are under || | | |outreach work is provided. | |discussions || | | | | | || | | |In order to use the resources of the State Police more effective the Riga Regional Police Board| | || | | |of the State Police realizes the coordination of measures of control to restrict prostitution | | || | | |in Riga region as well as coordination of topical controls in the cooperation with Riga | | || | | |Municipal Police, regional offices of the State Police and NGOs. | | || | | | | | || | | |In Riga NGO “Dialogi” deal with outreach social work without the State funding and support. | | || |To develop the cooperation with the embassies|annually |The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organizes annual trainings for |the Ministry of |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |and consular offices of Latvia in order to | |consular personnel in which topics on problem of human trafficking and its combating are |Welfare, the Ministry |has been accomplished: || |provide available information about the State| |included. Therefore consular personnel is informed about financial support, social and |of Foreign Affairs |the consular officials are || |funded safe return of the victims of human | |psychological rehabilitation for victims of human trafficking which is provided and funded by | |informed and can provide || |trafficking | |social services in Latvia. A consular official is informed about procedure and available | |information about financial|| | | |assistance in case if a victim of human trafficking approaches embassy for help. | |support, social and || | | | | |psychological || | | |According to the requests of nationals of Latvia the diplomatic missions of Latvia has checked | |rehabilitation for victims || | | |information about potential employer and has provided contact information of competent | |of human trafficking which || | | |institutions related to employment issues of foreign countries and Latvia. The information | |is provided and funded by || | | |about possibilities of assistance in case of deception was provided. | |social services in Latvia || | | | | | || | | |There still remains the tendency of Latvian citizens to conclude the marriges in Ireland with | | || | | |the third countries nationals who are mainly nationals of Nigeria, Pakistani, Afghanistan, | | || | | |Egypt, Iraq, India, Syria, and other countries. Already for two years the Emassy of Latvia in | | || | | |Ireland has been working with isues of fake marriages. The officials of the Embassy speak | | || | | |separately with with each citizen (woman) of Latvia who arrives to the Embassy demanding any | | || | | |documents necessary for concluding of marrige (for example, birth sertificate). | | || | | |In the result of these marriages the Embassy very often receives complaints about violence and | | || | | |requests for support to return back to Latvia. Not infrequently there are cases when persons | | || | | |abjure the claims but in case if person would like to return back to Latvia this opportunity | | || | | |through the Embassy is provided. | | ||V Improvement of the actions of law enforcement institutions | || |To assess the trends of organized crime and |regularly |2009: |the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |to continue the implementation of the complex| |According to the Article 154.1 “Human Trafficking” 3 criminal proceedings for human trafficking|Interior |has been accomplished: || |of measures to prevent sexual exploitation of| |were initiated (2 – human trafficking with purpose for forced marriage, 1 – human trafficking | |According to the Article || |children and human trafficking | |with purpose for sexual exploitation), a procedural status of suspected person was determined | |154.1 “Human Trafficking” || | | |for 4 persons (2 men and 2 women), 5 women were recognized as victims of human trafficking. | |of the Criminal Law in 2009|| | | |According to the Article 165.1 “Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation” 31 criminal | |3 criminal proceedings and || | | |proceedings were initiated, a procedural status of suspected person was determined for 25 men | |2010 3 criminal proceedings|| | | |and 10 women, 7 from them were foreigners, no persons was recognized as a victim within | |were initiated, according || | | |criminal proceedings, 21 persons agreed to cooperate wit the State Police and to bear | |to the Article 165.1 || | | |testimony, 48 specially trained police officer women undercover, who legally are not victims, | |“Sending a Person for || | | |but witnesses. | |Sexual Exploitation” of the|| | | | | |Criminal Law in 2009 31 || | | |2010: | |criminal proceedings and in|| | | |According to the Article 154.1 “Human Trafficking” 3 criminal proceedings for possible cases of| |2010 28 criminal || | | |human trafficking were initiated (2 – human trafficking with purpose for sexual exploitation, 1| |proceedings were initiated.|| | | |– human trafficking with purpose for forced marriage), a procedural status of suspected person | | || | | |was determined for 4 persons (2 men and 2 women), 3 women were recognized as victims of human | | || | | |trafficking. | | || | | |According to the Article 165.1 “Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation” 28 criminal | | || | | |proceedings were initiated, a procedural status of suspected person was determined for 19 men | | || | | |and 15 women, | | || | | |4 women was recognized as victims within criminal proceedings, 21 persons agreed to cooperate | | || | | |wit the State Police and to bear testimony, 37 specially trained police officer women | | || | | |undercover, who legally are not victims, but witnesses. | | || | | | | | || | | |2009: | | || | | |According to the second paragraph of the Article 154.1 “Human Trafficking” 1 criminal | | || | | |proceeding was sent to the court, 1 person accused for sending of 16 minor girls for forced | | || | | |labor as well as sexual exploitation in Milan, Italy in the time period from 2001 to 2007. | | || | | |1 criminal proceeding which was started in 2008 for sending of 2 minor girls form Daugavpils to| | || | | |Riga for prostitute was sent to court. Within this criminal proceeding according to the third | | || | | |paragraph and the third paragraph of the Article 165 “Living on the Avails of Prostitution” 8 | | || | | |persons were brought to trial for two criminal incidents. | | || | | |In criminal proceeding sent to the court: according to the Article 154.1 “Human Trafficking” 10| | || | | |persons were brought to trial for 26 criminal incidents; according to the Article 165.1 | | || | | |“Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation” 16 persons were brought to trial for 29 criminal | | || | | |incidents. | | || | | |2010: | | || | | |according to the Article 154.1 “Human Trafficking” 3 criminal proceeding against 4 adult | | || | | |persons (3 men and 1 woman) were sent to court for adjudication; | | || | | |according to the Article 165.1 “Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation” 24 criminla | | || | | |proceedings against 35 adult persons (20 men and 15 women) were sent to court for adjudication.| | || | | |All the mentioned criminal proceedings were related to a sending of persons for sexual | | || | | |exploitation. | | || | | | | | || | | |2010: | | || | | |According to the Article 154.1 “Human Trafficking” 5 criminal proceeding were adjudicated in | | || | | |the first instance court, from them 3 were finished, 2 persons were convicted with suspended | | || | | |sentences, in 1 criminal proceeding as additional punishment was applied confiscation of | | || | | |property. | | || | | | | | || | | |According to the Article 165.1 “Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation” 34 criminal | | || | | |proceeding were adjudicated in the first instance court, from them 18 were finished, 19 persons| | || | | |were convicted (1 from them was a foreigner – a citizen of Lithuania), from the 8 were women, 5| | || | | |perons were convicted with deprivation of liberty, 14 persons were convicted with suspended | | || | | |sentences. | | || | | | | | || | | |Realizing the requirements of the Criminal Procedure Law the victims are informed abou their | | || | | |rights inter alia about their rights to receive state funded social rehabilitation as well as | | || | | |about possibilities to receive assistance from NGOs and IOs. | | || | | | | | || | | |Within one criminal proceeding according the Article 154.1 “Human Trafficking” and the Article | | || | | |165.1 “Sending a Person for Sexual Exploitation” which was sent to court in 2010 a claim on | | || | | |moral damage was sustained by two victims and a court has met demand partly, stating that | | || | | |convicted person should pay 180 LVL to each victim. | | || | | | | | || | | |In May, 2009, the press conference was organized about preventive measures to prevent human | | || | | |trafficking and problems in the work of model agencies concerning the sending of persons inter | | || | | |alia minor persons for sexual exploitation. The representatives of the State Police and the | | || | | |Association of Model Agents of Latvia have organized this press conference. | | || | | |In June, 2009, a representative of the State Police had a meeting with the representatives of | | || | | |law enforcement agencies of Ukraine in Ukraine, Odesa. They discussed issues regarding | | || | | |cooperation and exchange of information in the field of combating and prevention of child | | || | | |online pornography. | | || | | |In November, 2009, a representative of the State Police has participated in Expert Meeting on | | || | | |Child Sexual Exploitation organized by Europol in Netherlans, Hague. | | || | | |In October, 2010, the representatives of the State Police have participated in the meeting | | || | | |within the project “COSPOL internet related child abusive material project” in Belgium, | | || | | |Brussels. | | || | | | | | || | | |The Information Centre of the Ministry of the Interior has developed a project “The improvement| | || | | |of registration of sex offenders” to provide complete processing of data on national level on | | || | | |sex offenders. | | || |To improve the work of the State Police to |regularly |According to the Article 165. “Living on the Avails of Prostitution” of the Criminal Law: |the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |fight against different forms of organization| |in 2009 4 criminal proceedings were initiated, suspected 17 men and 11 women; |Interior |has been accomplished: || |of providing the prostitution’s services | |in 2010 7 criminal proceedings were initiated , suspected 24 men and 12 women. | |According to the Article || | | | | |165. “Living on the Avails || | | |In 2009 within the criminal proceedings sent to the court according to the Article 165. “Living| |of Prostitution” of the || | | |on the Avails of Prostitution” 19 persons were accused for 32 criminal incidents. | |Criminal Law in 2009 4 || | | |In 2010 according to the Article 165. “Living on the Avails of Prostitution” 8 persons were | |criminal proceedings and in|| | | |convicted (from them 1 person was foreigner – citizen of Russian Federation), from them 4 | |2010 7 criminal proceedings|| | | |women, 6 persons were convicted with suspended sentences and 2 persons – a fine. | |were initiated, according || | | | | |to the Article 164. || | | |In 2010 according to the Article 164 “Procurement of Person for Prostitution and Compelling | |“Procurement of Person for || | | |Engaging in Prostitution” 1 criminal proceeding was initiated. The criminal proceeding was | |Prostitution and Compelling|| | | |initiated in Riga against a person for involved her minor daughter in prostitution. Since 2008 | |Engaging in Prostitution” || | | |it is the only case when minor person was involved in prostitution. | |of the Criminal Law in 2010|| | | | | |1 criminal proceeding was || | | |In 2009 according to the Article 163 “Violation of Provisions Restrictive of Prostitution” 7 | |initiated. || | | |criminal proceedings were initiated and according to the Article 166 „Violation of Provisions | | || | | |Regarding Importation, Production and Distribution of Pornographic or Erotic Materials” 36 | | || | | |criminal proceedings were initiated. | | || | | | | | || | | |In 2010 according to the Article 163 “Violation of Provisions Restrictive of Prostitution” 7 | | || | | |criminal proceedings were initiated and according to the Article 166 „Violation of Provisions | | || | | |Regarding Importation, Production and Distribution of Pornographic or Erotic Materials” 22 | | || | | |criminal proceedings were initiated. | | || | | | | | || | | |The units of the State Police implements activities to combat human trafficking and sexual | | || | | |exploitation of children in Internet. The State Police in cooperation with NGO Safe Net has | | || | | |ascertained and investigated several cases of dissemination of child pornography in Latvia. | | || | | | | | || | | |The State Police has participated in the campaign “Don’t be indifferent, inform about illegal | | || | | |content!” organized by the Latvian Internet Association Net-Safe Latvia and the State | | || | | |Inspectorate for Protection of Children’s Rights. | | || |To promote and improve the exchange of |regularly |On July 14, 2010 a meeting of the heads of Border Guard Services of Latvia, Lithuania and |the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |intelligence information between the State | |Estonia was held in Riga during which Parties agreed about necessity to promote exchange of |Interior |has been accomplished: || |Border Guard and law enforcement institutions| |information about illegal immigration. It was decided starting from July 19, 2010, using | |exchange of intelligence || |in Latvia as well as intelligence services of| |contact points the exchange of information would be started about illegal migrants detained in | |information has been || |Border Guard services and other law | |each country inter alia victims of human trafficking. | |promoted and improved || |enforcement institutions of neighbouring | | | | || |countries | |In order to strengthen cooperation with competent institutions of the Russian Federation on | | || | | |February 10, 2010 the plan of cooperation in 2010 between Criminal Investigation Services in | | || | | |Ludza and Viļaka of the State Border Guard of Latvia and the Intelligence Units of Pskov region| | || | | |of Borderguarding Service of Russian Federal Security Service was concluded. In year 2010 4 | | || | | |meetings of responsible officials were realized. | | || | | | | | || | | |On January 21, 2011, the plan of cooperation in 2011 between Criminal Investigation Services in| | || | | |Ludza and Viļaka of the State Border Guard of Latvia and the Intelligence Units of Pskov region| | || | | |of Borderguarding Service of Russian Federal Security Service was concluded. | | || | | | | | || | | |According to the Plan of cooperation in 2009 concluded between the State Border Guard of Latvia| | || | | |and the Committee of the State Border of Belarus the opeative units of both Parties as the main| | || | | |task implemented the prevention of illegal immigration and corrupction. In its turn in 2010 the| | || | | |Plan of cooperation prescribed that the main objective is prevention of illegal immigration and| | || | | |human trafficking. | | || |To perform the exchange of information in |regularly | |the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |issues regarding interviewing and profiling | |The officials of the State Border Guard in 2009 and 2010 regularly have participated in |Interior |has been accomplished: || |(exchange with programmes of methods of | |meetings organized by Risk Analysis Unit of the European Agency for the Management of | |exchange of information was|| |interviewing and profiling) between Latvia | |Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union. The| |performed regularly || |and other Schengen countries, as well as to | |topic – profiles of traffickers and victims of human trafficking. The main objective is to | | || |continue the cooperation with the National | |elaborate risk profiles of victims of human trafficking and traffickers taking into | | || |Bureau of Europol to combat cross-border | |consideration the practical experience of experts. | | || |crime cases and organized crime groups | |Developed risk profiles will be applicable in border control measures of the Member States of | | || | | |the European Union. | | || | | |The developed profiles of victims of human trafficking should encourage targeted activities | | || | | |against human trafficking implementing them in the Member States of European Union and at the | | || | | |European Union's external borders, as well as promote the identification of potential victims | | || | | |of trafficking and the organizers of human trafficking. | | || | | | | | || | | |The State Border Guard has continues the cooperation with National Bureaus of Europol and | | || | | |Interpol performing exchange of intelligence information about criminal offences and organized | | || | | |criminal groups. | | || | | | | | || | | |In May 2010 the law enforcement agencies of Latvia have participated in the collection of | | || | | |information about situation in the field of human trafficking for the elaboration of Europol’s | | || | | |strategic threat assessment about human trafficking. | | || |To perform the crime risk analysis on the |regularly |The State Police for the collection of information widely uses specialized analytical softwares|the Ministry of the |The task in 2009 and 2010 || |ground of results of intelligence work and | |for information collection, processing, elaboration of provisional schemes and hypotheses |Interior |has been accomplished: || |pre-trial investigation, and to provide | |(Analyst’s Notebook 6.0.13 and iBase SSE4). Information systems of Europol, Interpol and EU | |the proposals have been || |proposals on the combating the cross-border | |Memberstates are beeing used. | |elaborated taking into || |crime, inter alia the prevention of illegal | | | |consideration risk || |conveyance of people | |On September 29, 2010 during the meeting of Criminal investigation’s Tactical level’s Group for| |assessemnts which have been|| | | |Tasks and coordination was decided to elaborate tactical assessment on criminal activities | |elaborated on national and || | | |related to prostitution, soutenerism, human trafficking and related unlawful activities. The | |international level || | | |Regional Offices of the State Police collected information should send to the 3rd Unit for | | || | | |Fight against Human Trafficking and Soutenerism of Organized Crime Enforcement Board of the | | || | | |Main Criminal Police Board each month. | | || | | | | | || | | |In August, 2010, information about human trafficking with purpose of sexual exploitation was | | || | | |collected for the elaboration of BOCTA – Baltic Organized Crime Threat Assessment which is the | | || | | |1st Flagship Project of the 15th priority “To reduce harm done by cross border crime” of the | | || | | |European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The implementation of this project was | | || | | |coordinated by Europol. | | || | | | | | || | | |The State Police within its competence had partcipated in the elaboration of following risk and| | || | | |threat assessments: | | || | | |information about organized crime groups and organized crime activities for the elaboration of | | || | | |the National organized crime threat assessment 2011 (OCTA 2011); | | || | | |in May 2010 information about situation in the field of human trafficking was collected for the| | || | | |elaboration of Europol’s strategic threat assessment about human trafficking; | | || | | |in September 2010 actual information concerning operation of organized crime’s cyberspace was | | || | | |collected; | | || | | |in September 2010 information was collected for replying questionaire of FATF (Financal Action | | || | | |Task Force) about issues of money laundering attained form human trafficking and illegal | | || | | |immigration. | | |Problems and ConclusionsThe governmental institutions are informed about the tasks within their competence stated in the Programme providing the implementation of the tasks and providing the implementation within the available funding. The implementation of some of tasks is started or is planned.Conclusions about the implementation of the Programme:– major difficulties address the tasks stated in the Programme which implementation is not possible without additional funding;– implementation of such tasks in 2011 largely depends on the activity of the responsible branch ministries during elaboration of budget amendments for 2011 as well as political decision on preference of primary branch.In general implementation of the Programme in 2009 and 2010 is considered successful. All available financial and human resources are used to implement the Programme as well as new solutions and possibilities how to attract funding of the European Commission programmes are being considered to achieve the objective un sub-goals of the Programme – to plan and implement activities to facilitate prevention and combating of human trafficking improving awareness of society about human trafficking, providing support services for victims of human trafficking, promoting cooperation between public organizations and NGOs, enhancing work of law enforcement institutions.Minister of the Interior Linda Mūrniece01.03.2011.Lāsma StabiņaSenior Desk Officer of Policy Implementation DivisionSectoral Policy Departmentlasma.stabina@iem.gov.lv