U.S. Department of State 2001 Trafficking in Persons Report - Macedonia
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 - Macedonia, 12 July 2001, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4680d77417.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
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. |
Macedonia (Tier 2)
Macedonia is a transit and destination country for trafficking. Most victims are women who are trafficked for sexual exploitation from Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria. Victims transit Macedonia to Italy, Albania, and Kosovo.
The Government of Macedonia does not yet fully meet the minimum standards; however, the Government has taken significant steps to combat trafficking despite scarce resources and low-level corruption. The law does not specifically prohibit trafficking; however, traffickers can be tried under laws prohibiting slavery, kidnapping, illegal entry, and alien smuggling. The Government investigates and prosecutes trafficking, and courts have convicted at least three traffickers. A recently opened government shelter offers limited medical and psychological assistance to victims. Previously officials had typically treated all victims as criminals, but attitudes are changing due to sensitivity training. Rather than deporting victims, officials now send them to the shelter and to International Organization of Migration for repatriation assistance.