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| Thursday, 31 July 2003 |
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by Asanga Warnakulasuriya The Trafficking in Persons 2003 Report released by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons in the United States has praised the Sri Lanka Government for making significant efforts to combat human trafficking although it does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The report said that as a country of origin and destination for trafficking Sri Lanka specifically criminalises trafficking in persons in its Penal Code, and law enforcement authorities (Police and CID) have undertaken investigations into traffickers. Sri Lanka has a Labour Mediation Board and the Government also helps in investigating fraudulent employment agencies and contracts. In addition the Police Women's and Children's Bureau, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), and a Police Unit directly attached to the NCPA work together to combat trafficking and to protect victims, the report added. The Government has provided rehabilitation camps and other services for victims. Although the government's ability to provide long-term assistance to victims is limited the NCPA has provided medical and psychological assistance to victims of trafficking and former child soldiers. According to the report, the NCPA also coordinates the monitoring of the tourism industry and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Sri Lanka shares information with foreign governments and law enforcement organizations about the identification of child abuse. The government has assigned welfare officers to its embassies to countries in the Middle East to assist women who may have been trafficked. The US Government has urged Sri Lanka to improve its anti-trafficking performance by stepping up law enforcement efforts, particularly against sex tourists, and ensure the protection of children recruited as child soldiers by the LTTE as peace negotiations continue. It also said that Thai, Russian, and Chinese women have been trafficked to Sri Lanka for purposes of sexual exploitation. Commercial sexual exploitation of children, especially that of boys, occurs domestically, often in tourist areas. Many of these children, especially girls, are lured by promises of job opportunities or overseas travel, and family members or friends often introduce them into commercial sexual activity. Internal trafficking of persons for domestic servitude and combat also takes place in Sri Lanka. In many cases, Sri Lankan women go to Middle East countries such as Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, or Saudi Arabia in search of work, only to be put into situations of coerced labour, slave-like conditions, or sexual exploitation. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) abduct children for purposes of forced labour and military conscription. A ceasefire has been in place since December 2001, but children are still at risk in rebel-controlled areas, the report said. |
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