U.S. Department of State 2001 Trafficking in Persons Report - Spain
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Author | Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons |
| Publication Date | 12 July 2001 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State 2001 Trafficking in Persons Report - Spain, 12 July 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4680d765a.html [accessed 14 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Spain (Tier 1)
Spain is a destination and transit country for trafficked women. Trafficking is almost exclusively for the purpose of sexual exploitation, although there is also trafficking for forced labor in agriculture and sweatshops. Trafficking victims come from the Western Hemisphere (including Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil), Sub-Saharan Africa (Nigeria, Guinea, and Sierra Leone), northern Africa and Eastern Europe.
The Government of Spain meets the minimum standards. Immigration law specifically prohibits the act of trafficking, and the penalty is commensurate with the penalty for rape or sexual assault. The Government actively investigates and prosecutes cases of trafficking. For example, in 2000 police arrested over a thousand individuals involved in some aspect of trafficking in persons or migrant smuggling. Although statistics on convictions for trafficking are unavailable, the authorities prosecuted 119 persons for the crime of "illegal trafficking in persons," 577 persons for "illegal trafficking in workers," and 312 persons for forcing women (Spanish or foreign) into prostitution. The Government supports anti-trafficking public information campaigns within the country, and provides development assistance to source countries, primarily in Latin America. Undocumented persons, including trafficked persons, are eligible to receive temporary residence if they agree to testify against the perpetrators. At the conclusion of legal proceedings, these witnesses may remain in Spain or return to their country of origin. Undocumented persons may receive medical assistance in emergency situations. Undocumented persons may be detained for up to 40 days during deportation hearings, and are entitled to free legal assistance. The Government works with and provides funding to NGO's assisting trafficked victims.
