U.S. Department of State 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report - The Netherlands

The Netherlands (Tier 1)

The Netherlands is both a destination and transit country for trafficking in persons, predominantly women and girls, from all parts of the world, including Nigeria, Thailand, the Philippines, Russia, Bulgaria, China, South America and Central and Eastern Europe. The Netherlands is a transit country for other European Union countries. Two specific trafficking problems have emerged recently: the disappearances from refugee centers of single underage asylum seekers, mostly from West African countries and China, who are often put to work as prostitutes, and a growing number of "lover boys," young Moroccans or Turks living in the Netherlands who seduce into prostitution young, third-generation Dutch girls of Moroccan, Surinamese and Antillean descent.

The Government of the Netherlands fully complies with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, including making serious and sustained efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons with respect to law enforcement, protection of victims, and prevention of trafficking. The Netherlands outlaws trafficking in persons, and vigorously investigates and prosecutes traffickers. Courts have handed down many convictions. A national public prosecutor for trafficking in persons was appointed in 2001, and each district court has its own trafficking in persons prosecutor. Police schools have started "prostitution control" courses, through which detection of trafficking and means to assist victims are taught. Many police officers have received this training, and police officials believe the training has led to an increase in criminal investigations and reports to the police. To protect victims, B9 immigration status is available for aliens who may have become victims of trafficking and for witnesses who are willing to testify for the prosecution in trafficking cases. B9 status holders may remain lawfully for three months in the Netherlands while relevant investigations are being carried out by authorities, during which time victims may decide whether to press charges against traffickers. Victims receive legal, financial and psychological assistance, and are entitled to safe shelter, medical check-ups and social security benefits. Victims are eligible also for permanent residence on humanitarian grounds. The government subsidizes the "Dutch Foundation Against Trafficking in Women," which is an independent, national expertise center that offers many services to victims. To prevent trafficking, the Government cooperates extensively with other European Union countries and financially supports national and international projects run by NGOs and international organizations to promote the empowerment of women in Central and Eastern Europe; the Caucasus and Central Asia; Cambodia, and Vietnam. One such program helps to prevent Colombian women from being trafficked to the Netherlands.