«ILAEIRA»Anti-TraffickingInteragency-Operational Action Plan
MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
HELLENIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS
INTERAGENCY –OPERATIONAL NATIONAL ACTION PLAN
ON THE RESPONSE AND FIGHT AGAINST
THE ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION OF THE SEXUAL LIFE OF WOMEN
AND MINORS
«ILAEIRA»
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE SPECIAL
LEGISLATIVE DRAFTING COMMITTEE
OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
JULY 2008
PREFACE
Thisplanistheoutcomeofactionsestablished onthebasisofthe «ILAEIRA» Anti-TraffickingInitiative of the Ministry of Interiorand the Hellenic Police.
The Interagency-Operational Action Plan «ILAEIRA» aimsto establish substantial, coordinatedandeffectiveactionsamong allstakeholdersintheresponseandfightagainstthe economic exploitationofthesexuallifeofwomenandminors , atnationallevel. That iswhy it was placed under the auspices and coordination of the Special Legislative Drafting Committee of the Ministry of Justice , which functions at political – strategic level and coordinates co-competent ministry actions in the fight against Trafficking in Human Beings (THB).
Theplanwasdrawnupbyaninteragencyteamof experts (agencyofficials) from the co-competent ministries according to agency actions, with input provided by Non-Governmental Organizations and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Itlays down andrealizesthe overall guidelines of the National Action Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings (THB). Itisanoperational “tool” with actions and practices that encompass the involvement of all state agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in order to achieve tangible results.
First, thedraft Planwas tested during a two-day table top exercise conference organized in April 2007 in Komotini with the participation of law enforcement personnel from the competent agencies, prosecutors , co-competent ministry representatives, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) representatives. Then, it was implemented by Hellenic Policeoperational services in cooperation with co-competent agencies at practical tier.
After it wastested duringtheexercise, remarks, conclusionsandthecompleted actionswere includedintheInitiativematerializationstages. Then , thepresentplantookitsfinalformandwassubmittedtotheSpecial Legislative Drafting Committee , which approved it in a July 16, 2008 meeting so that all agency stakeholders can now fully implement it.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The name ILAEIRAbears a special symbolism and meaning .
ILAEIRAwas one of the first two women to be abducted according to Greek mythology . Leukippos, the king of Messene had two daughters, Ilaeira and Phoebe , who were betrothed to Idas and Lyceus , his brother’s sons .
Their abduction by the Dioskouroi ,Kastor and Polydeukes led to war, where the Dioskouroi royal scions met an inglorious end.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- HISTORYOFREVISIONS………………………………………13
- ABBREVIATIONS-ACRONYMS….. ………………………………...... 15
- LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK..…………………………………………...16
- ILAEIRA ANTI-TRAFFICKING INTERAGENCY-OPERATIONAL PLAN .20
INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………20
4.1.1 Genaral……………………………………………..………………..20
4.1.2 Aim…..……………………………………………..………………...…21
4.1.3 FieldofImplementation………………………….………………....….22
4.1.4 Fundamental Principles ………………………….………………...…..22
4.1.5 Plan Updates……………………………………………………..…...... 23
4.1.6 Budget-Government Expenditure …..…………………….…….……...24
4.2. DESCRIPTIONOFTHEPHENOMENON……….………………..…24
4.2.1General……………………..……………….……………….………..24
4.2.2 Definitions, Concepts, Terms …..…………………………...…….….25
4.2.3 Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) ………………………....27
4.2.4 Perpetrators ……………………………..……..…...……………….28
4.2.5 ModusOperandi…………………….…….………………...……….28
4.2.6 Trafficking methods …………………………..…………………….29
4.2.7 Treatment of Victims ……………………..……………………..….…..29
4.2.8 AreasofVictimExploitation ……...…………………………………..…30
4.3STAKEHOLDERS……………….……………………………...…...... 30
4.3.1 PublicAgencies……………………………………………………….30
4.3.1.1 MinistryofJustice………………………………………………..…31
4.3.1.2 MinistryofHealthandSocialSolidarity …. ……….………..…...... 32
4.3.1.3MinistryofInterior …………………………………..…….…………34
4.3.1.4MinistryofEmploymentandSocialProtection ……………...………37
4.3.1.5 MinistryofNationalEducationand Religious Affairs ………………39
4.3.1.6MinistryofForeign Affairs…………………………...……………...... 39
4.3.1.7 Ministry of Economy and Finance ………………………...….…...... 40
4.3.1.8Ministry of Mercantile Marine , the Aegean and Island Policy .…...... 40
4.3.2Non-Governmental Organizations …….……..…………...……...... 40
4.3.2.1 Arsis- Social Organization for the Support to the Youth…...... 41
4.3.2.2 Solidarity ………..……………………………..…….…...…………41
4.3.2.3Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and other
Forms of Abuse …………………………………………………….42
4.3.2.4ResearchandSupportCentrefor Victims of Maltreatment and
Social Exclusion (CVME) ...... 43
4.3.2.5 InternationalPolice Association (ΙΡΑ)…………...…...……...……..43
4.3.2.6 Human Rights Defense Centre (KEPAD)………………………...44
4.3.2.7 Greek Council for Refugees (GCR)………………………….....….45
4.3.2.8 Klimaka…………………………………………………....………45
4.3.2.9 European Network of Women (ENOW)………………………….46
4.3.2.10 InternationalAssociationforSupportto the Family (Frontida) ..….47
4.3.2.11 Centre of Research and Action on Peace – STOP NOW….……...47
4.3.2.12 The Smile of the Child…………………………………..……….48
4.3.3 International Organization for Migration………………………………..50
4.4 ANTI-TRAFFICKING ORGANS ……………………..……………….51
4.4.1 Special Legislative Drafting Committee ………………………………51
4.4.2 Committee of Article 9 of Presidential Decree 233/04…………………52
4.4.3 Anti-Trafficking Task Force(ΟΚΕΑ)…………...... 53
4.4.4ProjectManagementTeamforPlanningagainst
Crime(ODESAP)…………………………………………………54
4.4.5 Anti-Trafficking Services ………………………………....…………..55
4.4.6 Public Prosecutor -Judicial authorities …………………………………59
4.4.7 National Centre for Social Solidarity (ΕΚΚΑ)…………….…………..60
4.4.8 National Authority against the Legalization of Proceeds from
CriminalActivities……………………………………………………………61
4.5 OPERATIONALRESPONSE ……………………..……………………62
4.5.1 In terms of the victims.……………………………………………….62
4.5.1.1 Identification of potential victims……………………………………62
4.5.1.2 Victim-Witness Assistance and protection ………………….…….65
4.5.1.3 Cooperation of police authorities with Victim Assistance and Protection Agencies …….……………………………………………………..71
4.5.2 In terms of the perpetrators ……………………………………….....73
4.5.2.1 Policeresponseprocedures ………….…………………………….73
4.5.2.2 Policeandjudicialcooperation ……..…………………………….….73
4.5.2.3 Financialinvestigationforthelegalizationofproceedsfromillegal activities ………...………………………………………………….74
4.6INTERNATIONALCOOPERATION…………………………….…….75
4.6.1 In terms of victims…………………………………………….…….75
4.6.1.1Saferepatriationproceduresforthevictims …….………………….75
4.6.1.2 Returnproceduresforvictims in the framework of judicial process progress…………………………………………………………………….75
4.6.1.3 Cooperation procedures with foreign assistance agencies ………….76
4.6.2 Intermsoftheperpetrators ………………………………………..77
4.6.2.1 Cooperationwithforeign Police authorities, International and European Police organizations ………………………………………………... 77
4.6.2.2 Mutualjudicialassistanceprocedures……………………………….78
4.7COMMUNICATIONMANAGEMENT ……………………….…………79
4.7.1 In terms of the victims ………………………….……………………..79
4.7.2 Intermsoftheperpetrators ……………………………….………….82
4.8PLANNINGSUPPORTSTRUCTURES …………………...…………83
4.8.1 Training – Plantesting- Exercises………………………...…………83
4.8.2ActionAssessmentprocedure – Evaluation…………….…………83
5. ANNEXES ……………………………………….…………...87
5.1 NATIONAL AGENCY LISTS …………………………………..………...87
5.1.1 SpecialLegislativeDraftingCommittee and IOM Contact Points …………………………………………………………………………….. 87
5.1.2 Anti-Trafficking Services ……………………………………………87
5.1.3 National Centre for Social Solidarity services (EKKA) -197…………….89
5.1.4Non-Governmental Organizations ...... …..90
5.2 DOCUMENT SAMPLES……………………………….……………92
5.2.1 UsefulInformation Sheet (Law 3064/02 and Presidential Decree 233/03)………….………………………………………………….92
- HISTORY OF REVISIONS
Number of revisions / Pages altered / Dates / Remarks
- ABBREVIATIONS – ACRONYMS
ABBREVIATION / FULL TITLE / ABBREVIATION / FULL TITLE
MPO / MINISTRY OF PUBLIC ORDER / ODESAP / PROJECTMANAGEMENTTEAMFORPLANNINGAGAINSTCRIME
H.P. / HELLENIC POLICE / IOM / INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION
HPH / HELLENIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS / DESO / INTERNATIONAL ASSOSICATION FOR SUPPORT TO THE FAMILY
DDA / PUBLIC SECURITY DIVISION / GCR / GREEK COUNCIL FOR REFUGEES
DDAS / INTERNATIONAL POLICE COOPERATION DIVISION / ΟΚΕΑ / ANTI-TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE
DAA / ATTICA SECURITY DIVISION / NGO / NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
DATH / THESSALONIKI SECURITY DIVISION / UN / UNITED NATIONS
P.D. / POLICE DIVISION / E.U. / EUROPEAN UNION
ΥΑΟΕ / ORGANIZED CRIME
SUB-DIVISION / P.D. / PRESIDENTIAL DECREE
YDOEAI / FINANCIAL CRIME , ILLICIT ANTIQUITY AND VICE SUB-DIVISION / P.C. / PENAL CODE
MIN.INT. / MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
C.G. / COAST GUARD
YDAS / INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION- HELLENIC AID
OAED / GREEK MANPOWER EMPLOYMENT ORGANIZATION
ΕΚΚΑ / NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SOCIAL SOLIDARITY
3. LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
Τhe Interagency-Operational Action Planagainst Trafficking in Human Beings, with the code name «ILAEIRA», is an action elaborated by co-competent authorities at practical tier that is based on the applicable legislative framework.
It is mainly founded on :
- Articles 2 & 5 of the Constitution of Greececurrently in force (Parliamentary resolution of April 6, 2001 of the VII Revisionary Parliament).
- TheAdditionalProtocoltotheUNConventionagainstTransnationalOrganizedCrime (ConventionofPalermo), enforced on 29/09/2003, which was signed by the European Community and ratified by 121 states.
- TheCouncilofEuropeConvention, signedby sixteen (16) member-states on actions against Trafficking in Human Beings.
- TheBrusselsDeclarationonPreventingandCombatingTrafficking in Human Beings , which was the outcome of a European Conference (18- 20.09.2002).
- TheCouncilFrameworkDecisionofJuly 13, 2002 (2002/465/JHA) on establishing Joint Investigation Teams .
- TheCouncilFrameworkDecisionofJuly19, 2002 (2002/629/JHA), on combating Trafficking in Human Beings and on the protection, support and rehabilitation of victims , as well as the CouncilFrameworkDecisionofDecember 22, 2003on Combating sexual exploitation of children and child pornography .
- TheCouncilDirective2004/81/ECofApril 29, 2004 onthe ResidencePermit issued tothirdcountrynationalswho are victims of trafficking in human beings or who have been the subject of an action to facilitate illegal immigration , who cooperate with the competent authorities .
- OntheE.U. five-yearHagueprogramme predictions, about theAreaofFreedom, Security and Justice , which was endorsed by the European Council in November 2004 in Brussels .
- OntheE.U. ActionPlanon bestpractices , standardsandproceduresfor combating and preventing TraffickinginHuman Beings , which has already been approved by the European Council (01/12/2005) and guides E.U. policies for the immediate future. ItmustbeimplementedbyE.U. member-statesandotherEuropeancountrieswhichareaffected by theproblemofhumantraffickingorcause its manifestation .
- Onprovisionsofart. 5 par. 3 oftheCharterofFundamentalRightsof the European Union thatprohibitsthetraffickingofhumanbeings , underthescopeofinviolability of human dignity that is at the core of national constitutions for the protection of human rights .
- OntheprovisionsofLaw3064/2002 (GovernmentGazetteIssueΑ΄ 248/15-10-2002) «Combatingtraffickingofpersons, crimesagainstsexualfreedom, pornography of minors and the financial exploitation of sexual life in general and providing assistance to victims of such acts » .
- OntheprovisionsofPresidential Decree 233/2003 (GovernmentGazetteIssueΑ΄204/28-8-2003) «Protection and assistance to victims of crimes pertaining to articles 323, 323Α, 349, 351 and 351 Αof the Penal Code , according to Article 12 of Law3064/2002».
- OntheprovisionsofArticle 1 par. iand articles 46-52 of Law 3386/2005 «Entry, stay and social integration of third country nationals on Greek territory ».
- OntheprovisionsofLaw 2928/2001as amendedby provisions ofLaw 3251/2004 «European arrest warrant , amendment of Law 2928/01 on criminal organizations and other provisions ».
- Ontheprovisionsofpar. g of Article8 of the Penal Code on “Crimes committed abroad which are always punishable according to Greek legislation ».
- Ontheprovisionsof article 187 of the Penal Code “On criminal organizations”.
- On the remainder of related article provisions of the General Section of the Penal Code .
- Ontheprovisionsofarticle14 ofLaw 3387/2005 «Centre of Security Studies» and other provisions .
- OntheprovisionsofLaw 2331/1995asamendedandcomplementedbyLaw 3424/2005 “Prevention of utilization of the financial system with the aim of legalizing proceeds from criminal activities and other provisions” .
- On the provisions of Law1481/1984“Ministry of Public Order Organization“.
- On the provisions of Law 2800/2000“Restructuring of Ministry of Public Order services – Establishment of the Hellenic PoliceHeadquarters”.
- On the provisions of Presidential Decree14/2001“Organization of Hellenic Police services”.
- On the provisions of Presidential Decree1/2001“Restructuring etc. of the General Attica Police Division services “
- OntheprovisionsofPresidential Decree48/2006 «Restructuring, establishment, organization and operation of Thessaloniki General Police Division and other provisions”.
- OntheproposalsoftheNational Action PlanagainstTraffickinginHuman Beings of the Special Legislative Drafting Committee on combating human trafficking , November 2006.
- OntheprovisionsoftheMemorandum of Understanding(29.11.05) between the Special Legislative Drafting Committee and NGOs.
- Ontheapplicablelegislationonliftingtelecommunicationssecrecy, bankingandfinancialsecrecy, correspondenceandpostsecrecy etc. , namely :
Constitutional provisions (9, 9Α, 101Α)
Article 19 of the Constitution .
Article253ΑoftheCriminalProcedureCode.
Law2225/94 “Ontheprotectionoffreedomofcorrespondence and communication and other provisions” .
Law 3115/2003 on the “Hellenic Authority for the Information and Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE).
Decisionno 1 of3/2/2005 renderedbytheHellenic Authority for the Information and Communication Security and Privacy (ADAE).
Presidential Decree 47/05 «Procedures, techniquesandorganizationalguaranteesonthe lifting of secrecy of communications and its safeguarding».
Law 3471/2006 «Protectionofpersonaldataandprivacyinthefieldofelectroniccommunicationsand amendment of Law 2472/1997».
- On the provisions of the European Police Organization Convention (EUROPOL).
- On the provisions of the European Judicial Cooperation Unit (EUROJUST).
- Ontheprovisionsofthe International Criminal Police Organization(ICPO - INTERPOL).
- OntheprovisionsofApril 20, 1959 oftheEuropeanConvention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.
- OntheprovisionsoftheSchengen Implementation Agreement .
The following reports were also considered :
- OrganizedCrimeThreatAssessmentreports(OCTA) publishedtothisdatebyEuropeanandInternationalPoliceOrganizationsthatreportontypesoforganizedcrimeactionsemployed in the traffickingofwomenandminorswiththeaimofexploiting theirsexuallife.
- Hellenic Police Crime response reports of previous years.
- Ombudsman reports .
- ILAEIRA ANTI-TRAFFICKINGINTERAGENCYOPERATIONALACTIONPLAN
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.1.1 General
TraffickinginHumanBeings, particularlyofwomenandchildren , withtheaimoffinanciallyexploiting sexuallife , isan abhorrent crime , whichhastakendisconcertingdimensions , and has deeprepercussionsonthesocial, economicandpoliticalfabricof societies.
Experiencetodatehasshownthat althoughtraffickinginhumanbeingsaffectsspecificindividuals, largebusinessesandinternationalnetworkscreate a complex and well-organized crime “industry” in the countries of origin, transit and destination .
Substantial gainsofthesecriminalringsareoften linkedwiththeestablishment and creation of companies , that are used as a “façade” in order to hide their illegal activities , as well as to legalize proceeds from criminal activities. Revenuescollected bytheseorganizationsare “laundered” and are channeled into other legitimate and/ or illegitimate activities , including arms smuggling and narcotics trafficking .
Nowadays, accordingtocurrentofficialreportsandthreatassessment reports, traffickinginhumanbeingsis identified as the third most widespread organized crime form , following arms smuggling and narcotics trafficking.
Combatingtraffickinginhumanbeings , especially withtheaimofexploitingsexually womenandchildrenis a political priority , both at European Union and international level.
TheEuropeanUnionisactiveindevelopingacomprehensiveandmultifacetedapproach, aimedatthe preventionandsuppressionoftraffickingofwomenandchildren , withtheintention to sexually exploit them, with the involvement of all agencies, NGOs, social services, judicial and law enforcement agencies and immigration services.
Such a global approach presupposes efficient cooperation at national and international level among stakeholders. Asaresult, thisphenomenoncan betackledthroughoutthewholechain of trafficking in human beings.
Our country , due to its geographical location, high living standards and European Union membership, is a destination area for many foreign women , coming from Eastern and Southeast Europe. These women , in their quest for better living conditions , are easily lured by criminal groups, as they are plagued by poverty, sex discrimination, lack of educational and professional opportunities in times of economic hardship.
Theproblem oftraffickinginhumanbeingsis closely connected toillegalimmigration, ascriminalorganizationssometimestrafficillegallytheir victims into our country. Althoughthe twocrimes have somesimilarities, thedistinctionbetweenthetwoisclear and simple.
Traffickinginhumanbeings differs from illegal immigration in terms of trafficker intentions , which in the first case are to exploit victims, following their illegal entry, for the duration of a long-term coercive relationship. In the second case, the intention is to gain profits from transferring the victims and helping them enter the country, at which point the relationship between trafficker and victims ceases to exist .
4.1.2. Aim
The ‘ILAEIRA’ Anti-TraffickingInteragency –OperationalActionPlan’s aim istheresponseandcombatagainstthefinancialexploitationofthesexuallifeofwomenandminors, aswellasassistanceand protection to victims , at practical level , through co-competent agency cooperation.
Afundamentalgoalandexpectationinthiseffortis,ontheonehand, toturnthisphenomenon, froma “lowrisk-highprofit” crimeintoa “high risk-low profit” crime , and on the other, protect effectively the victims of modern slave traders.
In this framework, the following targets have been set :
- Competent authority coordinated and effective actions in order to disrupt criminal groups, apprehend perpetrators, seize illegal proceeds and implement criminal prosecution , as well as liberate the victims.
- Competent authority constructiveandsubstantialcooperationonhumanrightsprotection, the identification and fulfillment of the special needs of victims by offering assistance and protectionas well as safely repatriating them.
4.1.3 Field of implementation
ΤheAnti-TraffickingInteragency-Operational Action Plan“ILAEIRA’isimplementedin thewholecountryandisbasedonthecoordinatedactionsofco-competentministries, aswellasthose of Non-GovernmentalOrganizationsthatoffervictim support. ItcoversthewholespectrumoftheNationalActionPlanactivitiesoftheSpecialLegislative Drafting committeethatarerelatedtohumantrafficking, namely :
- Monitoringthephenomenonandidentifyingthevictims.
- Identifying and protecting the victims.
- Combating criminal groups or organizations that are involved in the chain of victim recruitment, trafficking and exploitation .
- Establishing safe houses andshelters.
- Providingmedicalandpsychologicalsupport.
- Offering legal protection and assistance.
- Repatriation .
- Supportingcountriesoforiginwithre-integrationprograms.
- Offering training and professional integration to victims who stay in Greece.
- Training law enforcement personnel.
- Training magistrates and prosecutors.
- Raisingpublicawareness.
- Evaluatingandassessingactions.
4.1.4 Fundamental Principles
The Interagency-Operational Action Plan:
- Acknowledgesthe major importance , nature, extent, and multiplicity of the phenomenon of trafficking in human beings, primarily of women and children with the aim of financially exploiting their sexual life.
- It is founded on the universal respect of human rights, hence on the respect of the rights of human trafficking victims .
- Identifies and adopts the International conventions entered into by our country, as well as bilateral and multilateral agreements.
- Focusesonthewholespectrumofprevention, deterrenceandresponsetothephenomenon.
- Constitutesthe guideforactionsofallco-competentresponse agencies, according to the applicable legislative framework governing each agency.
- Definesdistinctrolesacrossalldecision-makinglevelsandpracticalactions.
- In terms of response, itrelies ontherespectoftheprincipleofterritorialityandsovereignrights of every country.
- Acknowledges the need to have mutual and complementary anti-trafficking actions, to rally services, that will cooperate in a framework of subsidiarity , and to cooperate with International and European Police Organizations , as well as Victim Assistance services .
- Utilizes the international, European and domestic acquis in the framework of regional and international police cooperation .
- ItisbasedonregularThreatAssessmentreportscarried out bydomesticanti-traffickingservices, aswellasEuropeanandInternationalPolice Organizations on organized crime.
- Recognizestheneedforcoordinated jointlyheldoperationsamonglawenforcementagenciesbetweentwoor more countries for incidents that go beyond national borders.
- Operates with full respect towards personal data and privacy matters , during the exchange of intelligence between involved agencies, as defined by national and international rules.
- It is founded on the precept that the present plan is a framework (model) of national actions and cooperation, that can be “linked” to other national plans.
4.1.5 Plan Updates
This Interagency-Operational Action Planisa “livingdocument” thatincorporatesactionsdevelopedbystakeholdersandismodifiedorcomplementedthrough a series of readiness exercise tests, real case assessment, as well as agency proposals which are submitted on the basis of their jurisdiction .
Planupdateshavebeenassignedto the Public Security Division of the Security and Order Branch of the Hellenic PoliceHeadquarters and these are elaborated following the Special Legislative Drafting Committee’s decisions.
Ajointinteragencysubject matter expert workinggroupmaybesetupfor plan updates, that will be under the auspices of the aforementioned Committee.
4.1.6 Budget – Government Expenditure
Actionselaboratedintheframeworkofthe‘ILAEIRA’ operationalplanarefundedbythebudgetofthecompetentministriesandotherstakeholders , whichareresponsibleforcombatingtraffickinginhumanbeings .
Therealizationoftheaforementionedactions , irrespectiveof whether they touch upon ministerial actions or actions of NGOs or those of international organizations, is partly financed by the International Economic Relations and Development Cooperation (YDAS) Hellenic AidAgency of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
TheregularbudgetfundsthatareallocatedthroughtheaforementionedactionsareacontractualobligationofourcountryintheframeworkoftheOECD’s Development Assistance Committee.
Actionsrelatedtoawarenesscampaignsaddressedtothepublic, andhumantraffickingvictims, canbefundedfrom budgetitemsprovided for social policy goals of the Greek National Council for Radio and Television (NCRTV) , in cooperation with advertising agency unions and press unions .
4.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PHENOMENON
4.2.1General
Traffickingin Human Beings, especially in womenandchildren for their sexual exploitation isaphenomenonofmanifesthumanbarbarism , thathas been developingindiscriminately , takingdisconcertingdimensionsin all Western world countries , with the involvement of organized crime groups and networks. Ourcountry , duetoitsgeopoliticallocation , highlivingstandardsand European Union membership, is a pole of attraction for many foreign females who come from Eastern Europe and Southeast Europe. Women and minors who seek better living conditions are easily lured by criminal groups, as poverty, gender discrimination and the lack of educational and professional opportunities in periods of economic crisis primarily affect these vulnerable groups.
4.2.2Definitions, concepts, terms
Inordertocomprehendhumantrafficking, thefollowingterms,conceptsanddefinitionsarepresented :
- Residenceandemploymentpermit: anytypeofauthorization thatisissued bytheGreekauthorities , allowing a third-country national to stay legally on Greek territory , according to the provisions of article 1 par. 2 (a)of the Council Regulation (EC) 1030/2002 of June 13, 2002 «Laying down a uniform format for Residence Permits for Third-country nationals» (ΕΕL 157/15.6.2002). Theresidencepermitassures the right of access to the labour market , is valid only for its duration and offers the rights provided in article 50 of Law 3386/2005.
- Alien : any person or national of a third country or anyperson who is stateless.
- Leader: a personwholeadstheorganizedcrimegroup.
- Victim assistance actions : assistance agency actions that offer accommodation, food, medical care, psychological support, as well as the provision to human trafficking victims , of a legal counsel and interpreter.
- Unaccompaniedminor: thirdcountrynational orstateless person whohasnotcompleted 18 yearsofage , andwhohasenteredintoGreek territory either legally or illegally , without being accompanied by the adult custodian stipulated by law or custom, for as long as the aforementioned situation has lasted,or who is unaccompanied following entry into the country.
- Secondarycriminalactivities : thesearecrimes, thatarelesserinnaturethanhumantraffickingin terms of severity , involvement and profits.They are committed by the criminal group so as to support their main activity and, as a rule, can be committed separately from the main crimes (e.g.document falsifications, illegal entry of victims to the country etc. ).
- Criminal group : a structuredgroupconsisting of three or more persons, existing for a period of time , acting in concert with the aim of committing one or more serious crimes or offences that are included in the restrictive list of crimes of Law 2928/2001 «On Organized Crime », among which are articles 323Α «Trafficking in Human Beings »and 351 «Trade in Human Beings» of the Penal Code.
- VictimofTraffickinginHumanBeings:any natural person whois subjected tocrimesprovidedinarticles323 (Slavetrade), 323Α (Trafficking in Human Beings), 349 (Pandering), 351 (Trade in Human Beings) and 351Α (Lewd Acts against a Minor in Exchange of Money) of the Penal Code, regardless of whether they have entered the country legally or illegally, and have suffered an immediate damage to their physical integrity or personal or sexual freedom or there is serious risk in terms of these possessions or their life.
- Shelters: victim protection and assistance structures(material and/ or human resources) of Government Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizationssuitable for the care and protection of victims.
- Driver: natural person who is responsible for carrying the victim to pre-arranged sex encounters.
- Cash-keeper:naturalpersonwho collectsand managesthe illegal proceeds according to the Leader’s instructions and orders.
- Host: naturalpersonwhohoststhe trafficking victims upon their entry into the country and arranges their movements.
- Potentialvictim: natural person, presumed to belong to the category of “victim”bylawenforcementandPublic Prosecutor’s offices.
- Counterfeiter : natural person who fabricates counterfeit travel documents or falsifies authentic ones for victims for criminal group intentions.
- Reflectionperiod: amaximum periodofonemonth,thatisgrantedwitharelevantPublicProsecutor’s acttopersonswhoarepresumedtobelongtothecategoryofvictimsso that they can recover and thus remove themselves from the influence of perpetrators of such crimes, and reach an informed decision about their cooperation with law enforcement authorities , as stipulated in article 48 of Law 3386/2005. Especiallyinthecaseofunaccompaniedminors, thereflection period can be extended for another month following the decision of the competent Public Prosecutor’s office ,with the main criterion being the minor’s interests.
- Victim-witnessprotection:actionseffected bycompetentAtticaandThessalonikiOrganizedCrimeSub-divisionservicesthatconcerntheprotectionoflife, physicalintegrity,personalandsexualfreedomof human trafficking victims-witnesses,if there is a serious risk for these possessions.
- Recruiter: natural person whoidentifiesandrecruitsvictims .
- Escort-Guard: natural person who accompanies victims during the duration of the trip into the country or duringtheir movements and/or is responsible for guarding their place of stay.
Call operator : natural person who receives telephone calls and arranges sexual encounters, according to the criminal group’s orders and instructions.
4.2.3 Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings
Statistical data assessment from the Public Security Division/Security and Order Branch /Hellenic Police Headquarters, show that human trafficking victims are primarily women who come from countries of Eastern and Southeast Europe, such as: Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Belarus , Albania , etc. Lately, there has been an increase in the number of victims who come from Nigeria .
Their economic and living standards are limited and that is one of the determining factors that facilitate their recruitment.