The Ministry of the Interior has prepared an overview of the situation of human trafficking and the fight against human trafficking in Latvia in 2021. The overview concludes that trends observed in previous years continued: more frequent labour exploitation cases, greater impact of digital technologies on victim recruitment and organisation of human trafficking.
With our home affairs team and partners, we have done a great deal of work to inform the public and to educate our specialists on the issue of human trafficking, and to improve the rehabilitation and protection mechanisms for victims of human trafficking. This has resulted in more recognised and open cases of human trafficking, particularly in the field of labour exploitation. We also continue to play an important role in tackling both prevention and exploitation.
International experts in general also welcome the progress made in preventing labour exploitation in Latvia, as well as financial investigations related to human trafficking and the seizure and confiscation of illegally obtained funds. Although the consequences of hostilities in Ukraine and the associated risks of human trafficking will be addressed in detail in the overview of 2022, we are already specifically monitoring this area. We also pay increased attention to the security of the digital environment in order to reduce human trafficking in the virtual environment,” Dimitrijs Trofimovs, the State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior.
A total of 61 victims and victims of human trafficking were identified in 2021, which is a little more than in 2020, when 48 victims were identified. The increase in numbers is largely attributable to the activities of the State Police and to open cases of human trafficking with a significant number of victims.
Although cases of exploitation of Latvian nationals were identified in 2021, third-country nationals, such as from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and India, are most often among the victims identified in recent years.
In 2021, four criminal proceedings on human trafficking were initiated, three of which were related to labour exploitation, but one related to forced bogus marriages. Arrests imposed on suspects and their relatives reached EUR 315 134 in criminal proceedings. One person was sentenced to real deprivation of liberty last year, but in another case the Senate Department of Criminal Cases annulled the Vidzeme Regional Court judgment, which acquitted the defendant in charge of holding two persons as slaves in Cesis municipality.
Similarly, there is a strong gender dimension in human trafficking, which means that men are mostly exposed to labour exploitation, and girls and women - in sexual exploitation and forced bogus marriages. Also in 2021, the same trend was observed, with 49 men and 4 women exposed to labour exploitation, 7 women - to sexual exploitation, and 1 woman - to forced bogus marriage.
Most of the victims have secondary or secondary special education, primary or lower education levels. Lower levels of education may also be linked to greater social exclusion or a worse socio-economic situation, leading to higher risks of being exposed to human trafficking. However, people with higher education can also become victims of human trafficking.
Risk areas and sectors may vary slightly from country to country. The risks of human trafficking have been identified more frequently in the fields of construction, transport, hospitality, manufacturing, car washing, beauty, logging, agriculture and tidying/cleaning services in Europe. This means that when you receive an unexpected alluring offer for work in one of these areas, you should carefully examine the working conditions, the company, as well as the national regulatory framework.
In Latvia, trafficking risks exist in construction, agriculture, logging, food production and catering. On the other hand, trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation should be seen in the context of sexual exploitation and prostitution.
Overall, in 2021, the trend in Latvia marked the involvement of third-country nationals from Ukraine, Russia and Moldova in prostitution in Latvia. In addition, recruitment, hiring and organisation are also provided by third-country nationals using the Internet and various social and messaging platforms.
The consequences of hostilities in Ukraine and the associated risks of human trafficking will be examined in detail in the overview of 2022. At the same time, it should be noted that in order to minimise the risks of human trafficking towards Ukrainian civilians, the State Border Guard, at internal borders, is stepping up immigration control measures to identify the potentially affected persons. The State Police has also stepped up preventive action, such as patrolling, Internet monitoring, to prevent or detect in a timely manner possible human trafficking.
In order to facilitate the fight against trafficking in human beings, the Cabinet approved on 28 September 2021 a “Human Trafficking Prevention Plan for 2021-2023”. The measures included in the plan aim to address human trafficking as effectively as possible. The plan sets out 31 actions in 4 action lines: prevention, protection, prosecution of perpetrators and cooperation. The plan intends to continue regular training for citizens and specialists, and the regulatory framework for the recognition and diversion of victims of human trafficking will be improved. It is also intended to strengthen cooperation and exchange of information between all parties involved in the fight against human trafficking.
Similarly, in 2021, the Euro Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) carried out an exploratory visit to Latvia, resulting in a report with recommendations to strengthen the defence of victims' rights during investigations and legal proceedings, as well as adequate assistance for victims.
Two organisations continue to provide social rehabilitation services for victims of trafficking in Latvia – the association “Centre MARTA” and the association “Asylum “Safe Home”.
Prepared by:
Gunta Jansone
Ministry of the Interior
Head of Information Division
Phone: +371 67219363; 29494943
E-mail: gunta.jansone@iem.gov.lv