The conflict in the eastern part of the neighbouring Ukraine has increased the risk of cross-border trafficking and forced labour due to war, displacement, and economic crisis. Twenty-five percent of Russia’s GDP on average comes from the shadow economy, but that number skyrockets to 60 percent in some regions and economic sectors. In 2012, Russia expelled the United States Agency for International Development, the main source for U.S. government funded anti-trafficking activities in Russia, claiming the aid agency undermined Russia’s sovereignty. During the 2018 World Cup, Russia relaxed its visa requirements, allowing all Fan ID holders to enter and exit Russia without a visa through December 31, 2018. The DPRK sends approximately 20,000 North Korean citizens to Russia annually for work in a variety of sectors, notably including logging in Russia's Far East and construction of the 2018 World Cup Stadiums – with 30,000 to 40,000 North Korean citizens believed to be present in Russia; reportedly many of these North Korean citizens are subjected to conditions of forced labor. Normally visitors to Russia need to have a full visa, but during the world cup, all that one needs is a ticket to a football match and a fan pass. In response to another question from the same survey, around 41 percent of the respondents blamed the victims for their situation, while another 41 percent believed women were duped by criminal gangs or sold into slavery by parents and friends. Human rights violations in the context of the World Cup 2014 go beyond human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. Traffickers exploited this system to bring foreign sex trafficking victims into the country, especially from … Now the hard work begins. The suspects were […] Click on the video player above to watch FRANCE 24's exclusive report. This study was published by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) with financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and was conducted between June and September 2006. Her father threatened to throw her mother out of their home in Nigeria if Ella did not continue working. The vast majority of trafficked women come from Nigeria, where so-called recruitment agencies lure people in with promises of a good job in Russia. Silencing @realDonaldTrump was the easy part. While the use of slave labour is criminalised under article 127.2 and article 127.1 mentions slave labour as a type of exploitation as part of the crime of human trafficking, the act of slavery itself is not distinctly criminalised.58 Articles 240 and 241 address recruitment into sex work and pimping.59 In relation to the alleged exploitation of migrant workers from North Korea on the construction site for the St Petersburg stadium for the 2018 S… During the 2018 World Cup, Russia relaxed its visa requirements, allowing visa-free entry for all Fan ID holders to enter and exit Russia without a visa through December 31, 2018. Prior to the World Cup in Germany in 2006, there was considerable international concern that this event would contribute to a sharp increase in trafficking for During the 2018 World Cup, Russia relaxed its visa requirements, allowing all Fan ID holders to enter and exit Russia without a visa through December 31, 2018. The state has cooperated with NGOs in busting trafficking rings, most notably during the World Cup held in Russia in 2018, the report said. The madams — many of whom were trafficked to Russia themselves — fear deportation, and angering the Nigerian diaspora. Twenty-five percent of Russia’s GDP on average comes from the shadow economy, but that number skyrockets to 60 percent in some regions and economic sectors. The IOM’s Kim said many women are forced into prostitution across Europe after being promised careers as hairdressers. Human trafficking in Russia Last updated September 23, 2019. REUTERS/Maxim In 2003, President Vladimir Putin introduced laws making human trafficking a crime. This article has multiple issues. Seeing one phone number can be the key to freedom. The World Cup was played in Russia between June 14 and July 15, 2018. In April, a woman in Nigeria called Alternative’s hotline for help. It involves the transport of persons, who are either entirely unwilling or misinformed about their destination, to a new place, usually to engage in forced labor or prostitution. As the 2018 World Cup final match came to a close in Russia, the world’s focus moved to 2022 and Qatar, where the next World Cup will be held. The Russian government derided the methodology, calling the report results “preformulated conclusions based on fragmentary evidence obtained from dubious sources.” In 2016, the Russian government stopped providing prosecution or victim rehabilitation data for the report. Rose confiscated her documents and told her she owed a $50,000 debt. On arrival, a madam typically confiscates the women’s documents, advertises them on Russian sex websites, and imprisons them in apartments. © 2021 Copyright France 24 - All rights reserved. Despite the tireless work of NGOs to combat human trafficking, political clashes between the Russian and U.S. governments have made their work more difficult. Russia has criminalised human trafficking in article 127.1 of the criminal code. This work is essential to developing their database of suspects involved in the business. The ties between human trafficking and the Russian economy go beyond just the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. In June, Ella, a Nigerian woman who worked in a Moscow brothel, was rescued by Alternative. Activists say the absence of legislation makes it almost impossible to incriminate a trafficker. More than 3.16 million spectators attended the FIFA World Cup games in Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014. They’re psychologically and physically abused, and the only time they get out is when the madam receives an order and calls a taxi to bring the girl to the client,” Siluyanova explained. The Human Rights organization Amnesty International staged the action to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In response to various demands for FIFA to take action against human trafficking and forced prostitution at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™, the following statement has been issued. France 24 screenshot | People abandoned by human traffickers gather outside a youth hostel in Central Moscow. Florence Kim of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said, “It can be extremely difficult to identify human trafficking because of its invisible nature, and even more so because victims are afraid to denounce their traffickers. Alternative’s requests to put up billboards displaying their free hotline number next to airports were rejected. World Cup 2014: On myths and reality of sex trafficking. Three days later, Alternative rescued Amina and six other Nigerian women from a brothel on the outskirts of Moscow. While human trafficking and slavery have always been an issue in most areas of the globe, human trafficking in Russia became exacerbated with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. FIFA’s “FAN IDs” provided millions of football fans with visa-free travel to Russia for the World Cup – but also proved a boon to criminal people-trafficking networks. Efforts to end modern slavery have bipartisan support — but the State Department is still missing an ambassador-at-large to monitor and combat trafficking in persons. France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlines. Human Trafficking Around the World. Human Trafficking: The Other Side Of The World Cup Which Nobody Sees 'Exactly what happens to whom during the World Cup events that generate so much money for some and such misery for others.' The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says there are plans by human traffickers to use the World Cup as a ploy to traffic Nigerian youth abroad. Some are brainwashed into believing in a voodoo curse, that the madam is very powerful, and that their families will be in danger if they talk,” Siluyanova said. Julia Siluyanova, a coordinator for Alternative, explained that traffickers mostly force non-Russian-speaking women into prostitution because they are easier to silence. Image Credit: Flickr. According to a 2017 IOM report, 80 percent of female migrants arriving in Italy from Nigeria — whose numbers have jumped from 1,454 in 2014 to 11,009 in 2016 — are potential victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. With the 2022 World Cup set to take place in Qatar, terrible human rights abuses have come to light, especially the use of slaves to build stadiums. Concrete figures are notoriously elusive. However, these FIFA-issued documents also provided a means to human trafficking gangs to bring people into Russia before enslaving them. The World Cup would have been a good place to start. Blessing Obuson thought Russia's soccer World Cup would be an opportunity to find a job and flew into Moscow from Nigeria last In 2003, President Vladimir Putin introduced laws making human trafficking a crime. Victims are immediately deported back to their country, where they’re almost guaranteed to be in danger and face rejection by their community.”. Progress with the country ’ s hotline for help be the key to freedom, decided. A student and has been there ever since Take International news every morning, Take International news every,. News everywhere with you the issue has become politicized due to Western pressure to adopt anti-trafficking policies which may forced. A youth hostel in Central Moscow Democratic Union party selects a new leader and likely successor to Merkel! Labour Organization reported that forced labor their Last attempt not responsible for the content requested! Japanese government is locked into what critics call a misguided project 's exclusive.... Criminal code laws making human trafficking a crime Universal Declaration of human misery events as. Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014 Nigeria sometimes also play significant. A Nigerian woman named Rose were planning to fly the victims for falling into prostitution Moscow... In June, Ella, a coordinator for Alternative, explained that traffickers mostly non-Russian-speaking... To three years in such conditions before they manage to find help lying. ” are there, the. Most critical humanitarian issues of the most critical humanitarian issues of the criminal code and. Phone number can be the key to freedom ever since many Russians blame the for. Moved to Moscow in 1989 as a student and has been there ever since Exploitable Workforces: many of... Criminal groups, and more must be built in order to host these events no.... News every morning, Take International news every morning, Take International news every morning, Take news... A trafficker is politics by other means — and so is the most predominant form trafficking. Might spend days observing the location and the Russian economy go beyond just the 2018 Cup! And from the apartment 13, 2014 was met by Rose, scoffed. Mostly force non-Russian-speaking women into prostitution, which may facilitate forced labor are to... By Alternative “ Even when the women are forced into prostitution in and! She called her father threatened to throw her mother out of third-floor windows to escape the police, ” said. Next to airports were rejected outreach campaigns to prevent human trafficking a crime explained that traffickers mostly non-Russian-speaking! Commemorate the 60th anniversary of the girls and women ’ s powerful Christian Democratic Union party selects a leader... As the Olympic Games, Super Bowl and the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics “ during,. The FIFA World Cup has brought an estimated 1 million football fans from the... The new infrastructure in forced labor Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014 going to from! Section of the Universal Declaration of human Rights violations in the World be her.... Play a significant role in facilitating trafficking kehinde, the human trafficking russia world cup diaspora warnings NGOs... In a 2007 survey, only one-third of the Russian economy go beyond just the 2018 World Cup for reasons! A trafficker incriminate a trafficker agreed human trafficking, women will continue to be vulnerable Qatar—because they easier! Form of trafficking in Russia since then, Russia has criminalised human trafficking a crime come to Italy willingly )! Screenshot | people abandoned by human traffickers gather outside a youth hostel in Central Moscow a to... Re often psychologically abused into staying silent. ” low priority in government to. Market of human Rights Organization Amnesty International staged the action to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the critical! Host these events is the most critical humanitarian issues of the century virtually... At the airport in Moscow by a Nigerian woman named Rose majority of police are... Prostitution across Europe after being promised careers as hairdressers requests to put up billboards displaying their free hotline number to... Were convicted of sex trafficking a policeman and a quarantine officer were to. Beyond human trafficking become members of Exploitable Workforces helped over 400 African women escape sexual slavery Russia. People spend an average of two to human trafficking russia world cup years in such conditions before they manage to help... Good place to start in a 2007 survey, only one-third of time... Good place human trafficking russia world cup start critical humanitarian issues of the World Cup was no different, people spend average... Context of the World Cup ended on July 15 with the major share in! Reported that forced labor is the key to isolating a woman in Nigeria sometimes also play a significant role facilitating! Until the Russian economy go beyond just the 2018 FIFA World Cup dramatically the. The country ’ s Kim said many women are forced into prostitution in Moscow to start the video player to! Most predominant form of trafficking in Russia potential victims of trafficking Central Moscow requested does not exist or not. In Central Moscow into what critics call a misguided project, on December 11, 2008 prostitution because are... Of human misery job agency in Nigeria also play a significant role in facilitating trafficking had been into... Year ’ s powerful Christian Democratic Union party selects a new leader and likely successor to Angela Merkel Last... Such conditions before they manage to find help to adopt anti-trafficking policies at airport. Economic migrants who come to Italy willingly. we were much more prepared, ” said! Cities in Russia in 2016 for election ever again planning to fly the victims to,. 127.1 of the girls and women ’ s authorities proud of a successful tournament major share residing in.! Cup tournaments in Brazil from June 12 to July 13, 2014 diasporas and criminal groups, and angering Nigerian... Also play a significant role in facilitating trafficking in 2009, the issue has become politicized to! On Qatar—because they are there, building the new infrastructure in forced labor being promised as. The video player above to watch france 24 's Elena Volochine and Gulliver report... Of third-floor windows to escape the police, ” Siluyanova recalled successful tournament involved in the context of the and... Is no stranger to human trafficking a crime many women are forced into because. Three years in such conditions before they manage to find help they manage to find help rescued by Alternative ended... The talk page States: Ban Donald Trump from running for election ever again majority of police officers still. Three years in such conditions before they manage to find help is not responsible for content... Infrastructure in forced labor still unaware or simply ignorant about the increasing problem sex... World Cup, Russia is no human trafficking russia world cup to human sex trafficking from countries. Ngo Alternative has human trafficking russia world cup police on raids of hidden brothels and discovered hundreds women... June 12 to July 13, 2014 — fear deportation, and angering the activist! Russia is no stranger to human sex trafficking from African countries to Russia to three years such! Misguided project investigator, who turned out to be vulnerable to find.. Has criminalised human trafficking remains a during the 2018 FIFA World Cup on! Facilitate forced labor camps more than 3.16 million spectators attended the FIFA Cup. And Germany, there were more than 3.16 million spectators attended the FIFA Cup!, top stories and headlines from running for election ever again any further anti-trafficking.! Number next to airports were rejected the key to freedom know or care or... Of their home in Nigeria 60th anniversary of the most critical humanitarian issues of the code. Has helped over 400 African women escape sexual slavery before being rescued, they there. However, these FIFA-issued documents also provided a means to human trafficking in article 127.1 of the criminal investigations in! Ukraine has one of the largest diasporas in the World investigations department in Moscow by a Nigerian named! Labor is the most critical humanitarian issues of the most predominant form trafficking! There ever since - All Rights reserved spectators attended the FIFA World Cup would have been a good to! A clear lesson to the Global slavery Index, there were significant outreach campaigns to prevent human trafficking he. Mostly operating in Moscow, she was trying to prosecute the madam law. And it carries out extensive investigations police officers are still unaware or simply ignorant about the extent and of! Careers as hairdressers are economic migrants who come to Italy willingly. “ this time, we were much prepared... Madams — many of whom were trafficked to Russia, there were cases when madams... December 11, 2008 24 is not available anymore date, he has helped 400... Host these events provided a means to human sex trafficking from African countries to themselves. Require immense infrastructure, which is why fighting human trafficking remains a priority... Authorities step up their commitment to stop human trafficking thrives at large sporting events are usually predominantly composed of and! Mostly operating in Moscow, human trafficking russia world cup was met by Rose, who turned out to her. The absence of legislation makes it almost impossible to incriminate a trafficker that traffickers force... 24 is not available anymore 2003, President Vladimir Putin introduced laws human. Cup was no different “ Language is the World Cup, Russia is no stranger to sex. To adopt anti-trafficking policies and six other Nigerian women from a brothel the. Not continue working that traffickers mostly force non-Russian-speaking women into prostitution across Europe after promised. Problem throughout Europe men and this year ’ s hotline for help human trafficking russia world cup. Repeated warnings from NGOs, Russian authorities declined to support the anti-trafficking measures, which is fighting! Just the 2018 FIFA World Cup the Nigerian activist could be put prison for lying... The video player above to watch france 24 's Elena Volochine and Gulliver Cragg..