KOSOVO TV CHANNEL NOTES INCREASE IN NUMBER OF LOCAL VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
BBC Monitoring International Reports - April 24, 2008 Thursday

From a transiting country Kosovo is turning into the country of origin when it comes to trafficking of human beings, experts have said according to a video report carried today in RTK TV 17300 gmt news bulletin, 22 April 08.

Statistics reveals that trend of trafficking women from abroad has decreased while the trafficking of Kosovo women is in increase, said Bekim Hajdini, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration based in Pristina.

Meanwhile, RTK reporter notes that difficult life conditions, poverty as well as low level of education are main factors which influence this phenomenon.

Citing the law provisions, RTK says that those involved in human trafficking could receive from 2 to 12 year-long prison sentences. If a victim is younger than 18 years the sentence envisaged by the law could be even higher (3 to15 years in prison), while for other types of activities related to human trafficking the law prescribes financial penalties of up to 500 thousand euros.

However, Kosovo justice system frequently has been criticized for not implying appropriate sentences.

"We will intensify our activities in curbing the trafficking of women, children and human beings in general," a senior Kosovo Police Service official Rrahman Sylejmani told RTK.

Abit Hajredini, a director of the Office of Good Governance within prime minister's cabinet, said that activities against trafficking are increasing and they are becoming a priority for institutions.

"The Prosecutor's office and courts should give a priority to cases which comprise of this type of illegal activities," Hajredini said.

RTK report also carries Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Fatmir Xhelili's statement. According to him Interior Ministry undertook an obligation to design an operational plan for elimination of the human trafficking.

The TV also carries the same report on its web page, which has more information about this phenomenon.

"From 1999 until the beginning of this year, the International Organization for Migration has extensively assisted victims of this crime. Out of 540 victims, the origin of 400 of them is a country outside Kosovo, while the rest are Kosovans" cites RTK web site an IOM official.

The same report was carried today in other Kosovo electronic media (Radio Kosova, TV 21, Radio Dukagjini) on the occasion of completion of the project "Against trafficking of human beings during 2005-2008" by International Organization for Migration.

Source: RTK TV, Pristina, in Albanian 1730 gmt 23 Apr 08
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