VZCZCXYZ0213
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSL #0093/01 0631608
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031608Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1558
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 11 BRATISLAVA 000093 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/NCE, G/TIP, EUR/PGI, G, INL, DRL, PRM 
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USAID, DOJ, DHS, DOL, Treasury Dept. 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KCRM PHUM KWMN ELAB SMIG KFRD PREF ASEC
ELAB 
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA ANNUAL REPORT ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 
 
REF: A. STATE 2731 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  001.3 OF 011 
 
 
---------------------------- 
¶1.  (SBU)  SUMMARY 
---------------------------- 
 
¶A.  Slovakia is steadily moving forward in its fight against TIP. In 
addition to allocating a substantial increase in anti-TIP funding 
(by multiplying it fourfold, from USD 91,000 to USD 364,000) the 
Government of Slovakia (GOS) has increased both transparency and 
stakeholder collaboration in its anti-TIP activities. Improved 
dialogue between the GOS and NGOs has facilitated the drafting 
process of the GOS's 2008-2010 National Program for the Fight 
Against Trafficking in Persons ("National Program"). Transparency in 
its financial grant mechanisms has given more NGOs the opportunity 
to submit project proposals. Internationally, the GOS continues to 
commit itself to anti-TIP protocols. In 2007 and 2008, it ratified 
and then put into effect the Council of Europe's (COE) 2005 
Convention against Human Trafficking. It was one of only 14 COE 
members to do so. 
 
According to International Organizations (IOs) interviewed for this 
report, the improvement in the GOS approach is thanks in part to a 
new attitude of openness and cooperation, mostly on the part of the 
Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and particularly from the office of 
the TIP National Coordinator, which has shown an increased 
willingness to tap into the expertise of the IOs and fight for 
increased TIP funding. 
 
A continued focus on training those on the front lines of the fight 
against TIP, e.g., police, and on improving communication among 
government agencies will further strengthen Slovakia's ability to 
address TIP. 
 
Overall, the 2007-2008 reporting period was generally positive, and 
the view communicated to post by stakeholders was one of cautious 
optimism. 
 
¶B. Answers below are keyed to section and paragraph numbers in 
reftel. Embassy Bratislava point of contact is: 
 
Name: Rachel Wolfe 
Position:  Consular Officer 
Phone: 421 2 5922 3291 
Fax: 421 2 5922 3109 
E-mail: wolfere@state.gov 
 
¶C.  Total time to complete TIP report: 
 
FSNs:  30 
FS04:  60 
FS02:  3 
FS01:  1 
 
---------------------------- 
¶2.   (SBU) OVERVIEW 
----------------------------- 
 
¶A.  A COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND TRANSIT 
 
Slovakia is considered a transit and a source country for 
trafficking in persons. The International Office for Migration (IOM) 
states that due to the small number of known victims who are third 
country nationals or those trafficked only within Slovak borders, 
the country cannot be classified as a destination country, though 
IOM and the government both acknowledge that some women may be 
forced to work briefly in Slovakia while in transit to their final 
destinations in Western Europe. 
 
The MOI, local police, NGOs and the IOM are the best sources of 
information regarding the number and kinds of TIP victims. Though 
the numbers vary from source to source, they are generally reliable. 
The IOM - which believes that TIP is generally an under-reported 
crime - estimates between 150 to 200 individuals, mostly women in 
their late teens and 20s, are trafficked per year.  During the 
reporting period, the IOM dealt with 30 repatriated victims of 
trafficking and no foreign victims.  The NGO Dotyk dealt with  a 
total of four victims in their government-funded victim-assistance 
pilot program (only one of four was new:  the other three were 
carried over from last year's report). Outside of the pilot program, 
Dotyk assisted an additional 13 victims. Police were approached by 
only 15 victims (all women) of whom at least three were minors. 
Last year, the IOM dealt with 40 victims and police reported 31. 
 
¶B.   GENERAL OVERVIEW 
 
In July 2007, the MOI named a new TIP National Coordinator, State 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  002.2 OF 011 
 
 
Secretary Vladimir Cecot, one of the two MOI State Secretaries. 
 
SIPDIS 
Cecot is a lawyer by profession, and previously chaired the Criminal 
Law department at the prestigious Comenius University in Bratislava. 
[Note:  Cecot replaced State Secretary Jozef Bucek, who stepped down 
at National Coordinator in 2007 to focus on Slovakia's entry into 
the EU Schengen Zone. End note]  The MOI-created TIP Expert Group 
that Cecot oversees (which is comprised of high-level officials) met 
in November 2007 with all stakeholders and met independently again 
in February 2008 to approve the draft National Program for 
2008-2010. 
 
Slovakia's updated draft National Program for 2008-2010 is currently 
in the approval process. The TIP Expert Group approved the draft on 
February 18, 2008, and it now awaits approval by the Minister of the 
Interior and then the Cabinet as a whole (the deadline for which is 
April 30, 2008.) The draft contains a review of the 2007 Program, as 
well as new strategies for law enforcement, victim assistance and 
support, and prevention. Further, it lists responsible agencies and 
details tasks for the implementation of the Program. 
 
The MOI improved its drafting process by opening it up to comments 
from NGOs, something it previously had not done. Post applauds MOI's 
initiative in reaching out to stakeholders. 
 
A "TIP Roundtable" seminar, held in November 2007, was comprised of 
Slovak government officials from the Expert Group, representatives 
from other government agencies, the OSCE Special Envoy and 
Coordinator for TIP, the EU Parliament,  NGOs, and charities. The 
DCM from Embassy Bratislava also attended. It was at that event that 
TIP Coordinator Cecot expressed GOS desire to do what is necessary 
to move Slovakia into Tier One. According to some participants, the 
informal atmosphere of the seminar made it easier for stakeholders 
to share their experiences and views. Post believes that the 
"Roundtable" is a good indicator of forward movement and increased 
cooperation between the public and private sectors. 
 
The MOI has completed last year's pilot program for victim support 
(which established victim services and shelters). MOI has already 
budgeted for the continuation of this program in 2008 and has chosen 
5 successful NGO candidates. One of the NGOs chosen is the Cultural 
Association of Roma in Slovakia, which will focus on prevention in 
Roma communities. 
 
The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) completed its 
evaluation of the GOS' Program for Protection and Assistance to 
Victims of TIP (which is a portion of the National Program) in late 
2007, and provided recommendations on how the government can improve 
in these areas. These recommendations focused on better 
communication between government bodies and more outreach to NGOs. 
The GOS has incorporated these suggestions into its draft updated 
Program for 2008-2010. In general, the UNODC report maintained that 
the formal institutional framework for victim assistance and 
protection is sufficient, and that further cooperation and 
coordination between stakeholders will help GOS reach its anti-TIP 
goals. 
 
According to the Police Anti-TIP unit and NGOs, most of the victims 
trafficked through Slovakia continue to come from the former Soviet 
Republics (especially Moldova and Ukraine), Bulgaria, the Baltics, 
the Balkans and China, and are trafficked to the Czech Republic, 
Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, 
United Kingdom, Spain, Croatia, and Slovenia.  Slovak victims 
usually come from economically depressed regions of Slovakia with 
high levels of unemployment. Often, these women come from the Roma 
minority population. 
 
Victims who have been returned to Slovakia are usually young females 
in their late teens or early 20s.  Many report being trafficked 
after accepting offers from relatives, acquaintances, or unlicensed 
agencies to arrange for work abroad.  Some consciously enter into 
prostitution only to become trafficked at a later date. Because they 
are willing participants (at first) the victims tend to be 
transported to their destination country on public transportation 
with no resistance. 
 
According to police, as well as the testimony of some victims and 
offenders, trafficking in Slovakia is usually an organized criminal 
activity.  Small-scale Slovak perpetrators feed victims into larger 
international syndicates at their destinations.  Organized 
trafficking groups consist of Germans, Czechs, Russians, Ukrainians, 
Albanians, Italians, Macedonians, Poles, or Slovenes. 
 
Male and female Slovak traffickers usually have prior knowledge and 
direct experience in the sex industry in Western Europe.  They 
typically utilize employment or hostess agency schemes, but also 
rely on personal connections with women. 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  003 OF 011 
 
 
Roma victims, in particular, are likely to know their traffickers. 
Some Roma women enter into prostitution knowingly, fleeing the 
conditions of an abusive home or poor living conditions in a Roma 
settlement (or shantytown), and become victims of trafficking in the 
destination country. 
 
Roma activists suggest an increase in the trafficking of Roma 
children for begging. According to a Roma NGO, the practice is 
highly organized. Traffickers from within the Roma community send 
children (either by themselves or with their mothers or other women) 
by bus to Austria, Italy and Germany to work the streets. 
Traffickers then withhold the victims' identity papers in order to 
keep them from escaping. 
 
¶C.   ANTI-TIP GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 
 
The MOI State Secretary is the current National Coordinator for 
anti-TIP activities and presides over the Expert Group. The Director 
of the MOI's Department of Security Strategies is responsible for 
the day-to-day activities of the Expert Group and oversees the 
implementation of the National Program. This includes drafting the 
update of the National Program, organizing inter-agency cooperation, 
tracking TIP statistics, distributing funds for anti-TIP projects, 
and working with NGOs to develop those projects. In addition to the 
Expert Group, some prevention activities are coordinated by the 
working group established within the Government Council for Crime 
Prevention Other ministries that advise MOI on TIP include the 
Ministries of Justice, Education, Finance, Health, Labor and Social 
Affairs, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the General Prosecutor's 
Office. 
 
Falling under the Police Anti-Organized Crime Bureau, the Police 
Anti-Trafficking Unit, which has 10 dedicated officers, coordinates 
most activity regarding trafficking both within Slovakia and with 
INTERPOL; members of the unit have traveled overseas to participate 
in seminars and training. The unit documents and investigates 
crimes, monitors known places of prostitution, investigates 
suspicious travel or employment schemes, and contributes to public 
awareness by giving presentations at conferences and conducting 
training. 
 
The Border and Alien police are responsible for monitoring border 
crossings for evidence of trafficking, with the customs directorate 
and the MFA also playing a role. 
 
The Equal Opportunity Office at the Ministry of Labor and Social 
Affairs (MOL) supports NGO activity through grants, manages the 
implementation of international protocols regarding worker's rights, 
and works to reduce violence against women. 
 
The Ministry of Education (MOE) coordinates with IOM to bring TIP 
awareness discussions into high school classrooms. Though the MOE is 
still working to officially implement a TIP curriculum in schools, 
in practice TIP education is on-going. 
 
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is responsible for strengthening 
safeguards for victim protection. 
 
The General Prosecutor is responsible for the prosecution of 
traffickers. 
 
¶D. GOVERNMENT LIMITATIONS 
 
The draft National Program will increase the National Coordinator's 
2008 budget to fight trafficking to USD 364,000. This is four times 
the amount allocated during the last reporting period, when funding 
levels reached only USD 91,000. However, money for victim assistance 
programs is only authorized one year at a time. Anti-TIP police 
remain funded at past levels, supporting 10 officers at the national 
police headquarters. Overall, government corruption is not a 
significant problem for trafficking in persons. 
 
¶E.  GOVERNMENT SELF-MONITORING 
 
The MOI provides internal assessments and baseline information 
regarding the nature of trafficking in Slovakia.  The updated draft 
of the National Program for 2008-2010 contains an assessment of the 
Program's performance during the 2007 reporting period. Once the 
report is released, the results will be available for public access 
on the MOI website.  Further, the UNODC and the MOI are conducting a 
joint research project to evaluate how efficient the GOS' TIP 
programs have been. It will also study trends in trafficking by 
collecting data on the profiles of both victims and perpetrators, as 
well as the details of the trafficking operations. The results of 
the study are expected in April 2008. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  004 OF 011 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
¶3.  (SBU)   INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS 
--------------------------------------------- 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶A.  LEGAL FRAMEWORK 
 
TIP is defined and criminalized through Section 179 in the Criminal 
Code. Trafficking in children is a separate crime, covered by 
sections 180 and 181. Other related legislation includes: Section 
367 on Procurement (Pimping), Section 208 on torture of a close 
person or person in one's charge, Section 371 on endangering 
morality.  The law states explicitly the extra-territorial nature of 
this crime and acknowledge that the crime also entails fraudulent 
means, violence, threat, or other forms of coercion to elicit 
agreement from a victim older than 18 years (for section 179) for 
the crime of trafficking. These laws are being used in trafficking 
cases and adequately cover the full scope of trafficking. 
 
Slovak law allows a renewable 40-day "tolerated stay" status for 
foreign victims of serious crimes, including trafficking in persons. 
 
 
On January 30, 2007, Slovakia signed the Council of Europe's (COE) 
Convention of 2005 on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. It 
ratified the document on March 27, 2007. The Convention was 
subsequently entered into force on February 1, 2008. It is a 
comprehensive treaty, focusing mainly on the protection of 
trafficking victims and safeguarding their rights. It also aims to 
prevent trafficking and to prosecute traffickers. The Convention 
applies to all forms of trafficking, whether national or 
international, and whether related to organized crime. It applies to 
men, women and children equally, whatever the form of exploitation 
(labor or sex acts). The Convention provides a mechanism to 
guarantee each signatory's compliance with its provisions. 
Significantly, Slovakia is one of only 14 COE countries that have 
ratified this Convention 
 
In the past several years, Parliament has amended and ratified other 
relevant trafficking legislation to conform to EU directives and UN 
requirements, such as the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and 
Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. In 
2006, Parliament passed a law on victim assistance requiring police 
to provide victims of any crime information on organizations that 
can help them. 
 
The country participates in all EU structures and working groups in 
the field of justice and home affairs that seek to monitor and 
control trafficking in persons. According to UNHCR, Slovakia 
incorporated higher standards into its laws than the EU minimum 
requirements for protection of refugees and asylum seekers. 
 
¶B. PENALTIES FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION TRAFFICKING 
 
The GOS increased the minimum sentences for trafficking in 2006. The 
provision on trafficking (both for the purpose of sexual and labor 
exploitation) states that any person, who entices, enlists, 
transfers or receives another person to or from abroad with the 
intention to engage such person in sexual intercourse or 
exploitation is liable to a term of imprisonment of four to ten 
years.  A four to 10 year sentence is also applicable to a person 
who exploits another person through forced labor, involuntary 
servitude, slavery, or other similar forms of exploitation.  The 
penalty increases to a 7 to 12 year prison term if a) the 
perpetrator gains considerable profit, b) the offense is committed 
against a protected person, c) the offense is committed with a 
special motive, or d) the offense is committed in conjunction with 
another grave illegal activity, such as organized crime. The penalty 
increases to 12 to 20 years if a) the perpetrator gains extensive 
profit, b) the offender causes serious bodily harm or death or other 
extraordinarily serious effect, or c) the offense is committed as a 
member of a dangerous group. Lastly, a term of 20 to 25 years can be 
applied if the perpetrator gains large scale profit or causes 
serious bodily harm to or the death of multiple persons. 
 
The Ministry of Justice reported that 6 out of the 7 sex traffickers 
convicted in 2007 received suspended sentences. Only one received 
jail time. 
 
¶C. PENALTIES FOR LABOR TRAFFICKING 
 
The penalty for trafficking for labor exploitation is the same as 
for trafficking for sexual exploitation. 
 
There were no convictions of labor traffickers during the reporting 
period. The first and only case was reported in mid-February 2008, 
when a group of 8 Vietnamese nationals were found working in a 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  005 OF 011 
 
 
Bratislava-area cigarette factory. The Vietnamese were turned over 
to the Border and Alien police. The investigation into the case has 
just begun, and few details are yet available. Post will continue to 
monitor the case. 
 
¶D. PENALTIES FOR RAPE 
 
 The range of sentencing for rape is five to 10 years' imprisonment 
and could be increased to 7 to 15 years depending on the age of the 
victim or whether violence was used.  The sentence may be further 
increased to 15 to 20 years if the act results in serious bodily 
harm, and 20 to 25 years if the perpetrator causes the death of the 
victim or the crime is committed in a crisis situation.  The 
penalties for rape are on par with penalties for trafficking for 
commercial sexual exploitation. 
 
¶E. PROSTITUTION 
 
Prostitution is neither illegal nor legal in Slovakia, nor is it 
regulated.  The Criminal Code prohibits pimping activities, 
including coercing or taking advantage of or gaining from the 
prostitution of others.  Sentences range from one to 15 years 
depending on the age of the victim, method in which the crime was 
committed, whether organized crime was involved, and whether the 
crime resulted in bodily harm or death.  If the offense involves 
children under the age of 15 or between 15 and 18, the Criminal Code 
adds three to 10 and seven to 12 years to the sentences 
respectively. Because prostitution is not regulated, there is no 
minimum age at which a person may legally choose to be a prostitute. 
 However, the minimum age of consensual sex is 15.  Sex with a minor 
aged 14 or younger is considered statutory rape regardless of the 
circumstances. Local governments can prohibit the offer of sexual 
services in public places and offenders can be fined. 
 
¶F. INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS 
 
The government actively investigates cases of trafficking through 
the specialized anti-trafficking unit at Police Headquarters in 
Bratislava.  The anti-TIP unit first conducts a preliminary 
investigation, then assists local police officials directly involved 
with the case, or assists investigators from the Bureau for 
Organized Crime if the case involves  organized crime or has 
international implications. The police conduct inspections of 
suspected places of prostitution, and monitor internet sites. 
 
At the regional level, TIP is investigated by four specialized 
officers (two in the city of Zilina, one in the city of Trnava, and 
one in the city of Kosice) who have experience in related crimes, 
such as pimping, rape and other sexual violence. 
. 
Slovakia criminally prosecutes labor recruiters who use false or 
deceptive offers of employment, or who confiscate employee's 
passports. Articles 179, 181-184 and Article 241 of the anti-TIP law 
are used to prosecute such cases. 
 
The Slovak criminal code allows for the possibility of parole after 
an inmate serves two-thirds of his or her sentence. In the case of a 
serious crime (with a sentence of more than 8 years) courts can 
grant parole only after three-fourths of the sentence is served. In 
the case of a life sentence, the court can ban parole completely, or 
grant it after 25 years served. 
 
According to official statistics, police investigated 13 cases of 
trafficking during the reporting period. Perpetrators were 
identified in four cases. Of these, 16 individuals were brought to 
trial, resulting in 7 convictions. According to police, all of these 
cases concerned sex trafficking. Two cases involved victims who were 
minors. 
 
¶G.  TRAINING 
 
The 10 officers in the Police Anti-trafficking unit located in 
Bratislava were fully trained in TIP.  In addition to the regional 
officers in Zilina, Trnava, and Kosice, most police districts have 
one officer who receives at least some additional instruction and, 
among his/her other duties, serves as a point of contact with the 
Anti-trafficking unit.  For the rest of the police corps, 
trafficking in persons is addressed in educational modules 
concerning victim protection and human rights at the police 
academy. 
 
In 2007, the MOI published a training manual aimed at police 
officers. The manual defined TIP, explained how to identify victims, 
and how to refer those victims to appropriate assistance programs. 
It also listed extensive contact information that police can 
utilize, including names and phone numbers for the MOI, Anti-TIP 
police in Bratislava, and several NGOs. 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  006.2 OF 011 
 
 
 
HOWEVER, MORE TRAINING IS NECESSARY FOR BORDER POLICE, CUSTOMS 
OFFICIALS, AND STAFF AND SOCIAL WORKERS AT THE REFUGEE CAMPS AND 
ASYLUM RECEPTION FACILITIES. THOUGH OFFICERS HAVE RECEIVED SOME 
TRAINING, SOME IOS ARE CONCERNED THAT POLICE, ESPECIALLY BORDER 
POLICE, DO NOT DEVOTE SUFFICIENT EFFORT TO TIP DETECTION AND 
PREVENTION. ACCORDING TO IOS INTERVIEWED FOR THIS REPORT, 
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS "AT THE TOP" ARE GENUINELY WORKING TO ELIMINATE 
TIP, BUT THE CONCEPT HAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY TRICKLED DOWN TO THE 
AVERAGE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO DEALS WITH THE ISSUE ON A DAILY 
BASIS. 
 
¶H. INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION 
 
THE GOS COOPERATES WITH FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS IN THE INVESTIGATION AND 
PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKING CASES. THE POLICE ANTI-TRAFFICKING UNIT 
EXPLAINED THAT MOST TRAFFICKING CASES REQUIRE AN INTERNATIONAL 
INVESTIGATION. SLOVAK EMBASSIES HAVE A POLICE ATTACHE WHO ASSISTS 
WITH JOINT INVESTIGATIONS.  MANY INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS OCCUR 
IN THE FRAMEWORK OF INTERPOL AND EUROPOL. THE SPECIALIZED 
TRAFFICKING UNIT NOTES THAT THE LACK OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE ABILITY 
AMONG SLOVAK POLICE SOMETIMES LIMITS INVESTIGATIONS. 
 
IN FEBRUARY, 2008 MOI STATE SECRETARY CECOT ATTENDED THE UNODC 
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS CONFERENCE IN VIENNA TO PRESENT AN UPDATE ON 
WHAT SLOVAKIA IS DOING TO COMBAT TIP, AND TO OFFER BRATISLAVA AS THE 
SEAT OF A NEW INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION CENTER FOR TRAFFICKING IN 
PERSONS. 
 
¶I. EXTRADITION 
 
BASED ON THE LAW ON CRIMINAL COURT PROCEDURES, SLOVAKIA CAN 
EXTRADITE PERSONS FOR ANY CRIME WITH A CORRESPONDING SENTENCE LONGER 
THAN ONE YEAR, EXCEPT A CRIME POLITICAL IN NATURE.  SLOVAK CITIZENS 
CAN ONLY BE EXTRADITED WHEN GOVERNED BY A TREATY SIGNED BY SLOVAKIA. 
THE UN CONVENTION AGAINST TRANSNATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME ALLOWS FOR 
SLOVAKIA TO EXTRADITE TRAFFICKERS.  SLOVAKIA HAS A BILATERAL 
EXTRADITION AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. WHICH ALLOWS FOR THE EXTRADITION 
OF NON-SLOVAKS TO THE UNITED STATES.  DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, 
SLOVAKIA EXTRADITED ONE CITIZEN TO AUSTRIA TO FACE TIP CHARGES. 
 
¶J. GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN TRAFFICKING 
 
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF GOVERNMENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN OR TOLERANCE OF 
TRAFFICKING.  DESPITE GOVERNMENTAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT PETTY 
CORRUPTION ON THE BORDERS AND AMONG POLICE, THE PROBLEM STILL 
EXISTS.  HOWEVER, THE CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES OF THESE INDIVIDUALS DO 
NOT REFLECT INSTITUTIONAL ACCEPTANCE ON A LOCAL OR NATIONAL LEVEL. 
 
 
¶K. STEPS TO END GOVERNMENT  INVOLVEMENT IN TRAFFICKING 
 
ACCORDING TO POLICE SOURCES, THERE WERE NO CASES OF GOVERNMENT 
OFFICIALS INVOLVED IN TRAFFICKING. 
 
¶L. INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF NATIONALS DEPLOYED ABROAD 
 
DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, SLOVAKIA DID NOT REPORT ANY CASES OF 
TRAFFICKING INVOLVING NATIONALS DEPLOYED ABROAD. 
 
¶M. CHILD SEX TOURISM 
 
SLOVAKIA IS NOT IDENTIFIED AS A DESTINATION FOR CHILD SEX TOURISM. 
THE TRAFFICKING IN CHILDREN LAW, LIKE THE TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 
LAW, REFLECTS EXTRATERRITORIALITY. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
------------------------------ 
¶4.  (SBU) PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS 
--------------------------------------------- 
------------------------------ 
 
¶A. VICTIM ASSISTANCE 
 
SLOVAK LAW PROVIDES FOR A RENEWABLE 40-DAY "TOLERATED STAY" FOR 
FOREIGN VICTIMS OF SERIOUS CRIMES, INCLUDING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS. 
 THIS STATUS GIVES THE VICTIM THE RIGHT TO WORK.  THERE ARE SOME 
CONCERNS THAT THE LAW IS NOT AS THOROUGH AS IT SHOULD BE TO PROVIDE 
LONG-TERM PROTECTION TO VICTIMS. FOR EXAMPLE, POLICE HAVE THE RIGHT 
TO DECLINE TO RENEW THE TOLERATED STAY IF THE VICTIM DECIDES NOT TO 
COOPERATE WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION.  WITHOUT THE 
RENEWED STAY, IT APPEARS THAT THE LAW WOULD LEAVE THE VICTIM WITHOUT 
LEGAL STATUS IN SLOVAKIA, THEREBY SUBJECT TO DEPORTATION.  HOWEVER, 
A FOREIGN VICTIM HAS THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM AND THEREBY 
RECEIVE "SUBSIDIARY PROTECTION" STATUS.  IN ADDITION TO THE 
"TOLERATED STAY" LAW, SLOVAK AUTHORITIES ARE REQUIRED TO POSTPONE 
DEPORTATION OF ANY THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONAL WHO SEEKS TO ENTER A 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  007 OF 011 
 
 
witness protection program or who claims asylum, thus providing 
temporary residency status. 
 
The IOM runs a specialized victims' assistance program exclusively 
for repatriated Slovaks.  According to IOM, the situation in 
Slovakia has improved dramatically in recent years.  The focus on 
increased victims support - including legal, psychological, medical, 
and social assistance - by the competent government Ministries has 
increased the country's capacity to help victims and encouraged 
returning victims to seek assistance. The IOM told post that 
cooperation with the MOI is continually improving, and it hopes to 
eventually hand over its operations to local NGOs, which will then 
operate with GOS funding. 
 
¶B. VICTIM CARE FACILITIES 
 
Access to legal, medical, and psychological services for victims 
(both foreign and domestic) were the cornerstone of Slovakia's first 
National Program. 
 
During the reporting period, NGO's assisted approximately 47 
trafficking victims ( a decrease from 60 reported last year). NGO 
Dotyk reported assisting four victims (using MOI funding), and the 
IOM reported 30 victims. The remaining 13 victims received 
assistance from Dotyk outside of the MOI pilot program. 
 
The government provides dedicated shelters through its NGO programs. 
The MOI signed three cooperative agreements with NGOs in February 
2007, providing funding levels of USD 68,000. Through this program, 
the NGO Dotyk provided assistance to four victims, including shelter 
and health services. 
 
¶C. FUNDING FOR NGOS 
 
In December 2007, the MOI made public a request for proposals for 
anti-TIP victim assistance projects for 2008. By January 2008, MOI 
had received 7 proposals, and in February 2008 it made awards to 
five NGOs (IOM, Dotyk, Slovak Catholic Charity, Prima and the 
Cultural Association of Roma in Slovakia). For 2008, the funding of 
NGOs is expected to be approximately USD 227,000. 
 
The December 2007 call for proposals highlights one area in which 
the GOS has drastically improved. The request was published on MOI's 
website, a move welcomed by NGOs and international observers. In 
contrast, during the previous reporting period, MOI's request for 
proposals was facilitated mainly by representatives from MOI 
inviting NGOs of their choosing to submit bids. Post applauds the 
new, public approach by MOI in inviting proposals. Post believe 
this added transparency is beneficial to all stakeholders. 
 
¶D. IDENTIFYING AND REFERRING VICTIMS 
 
During the reporting period, police identified and referred 15 TIP 
victims to NGOs,  based on a law requiring authorities to provide 
information about organizations offering support services to 
potential victims.  The Anti-Trafficking Unit screens and refers 
victims who are actively participating in the investigation process 
or witness protection. 
 
¶E. SCREENING FOR TRAFFICKED VICTIMS AMONG LEGAL SEX WORKERS 
 
Prostitution is neither legal nor illegal in Slovakia, and therefore 
is not regulated. 
 
¶F. RIGHTS OF VICTIMS 
 
When an individual is identified as a trafficking victim, the 
victim's rights are respected and he or she does not face fines or 
jail sentences.  However, it has been reported that unidentified 
victims have been treated as illegal migrants or prostitutes and 
have been detained or deported. 
 
¶G. VICTIM ASSISTANCE IN INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF 
TRAFFICKERS 
 
The government encourages victims to assist in the investigation and 
prosecuting of trafficking. Further, victims may file civil suits or 
seek legal action against traffickers.  According to the IOM, 
victims are reluctant to do so because of lengthy trials and the 
perceived lack of psychological, financial, and legal assistance, 
though the National Coordinator believes an increased support 
network will help this perception. 
 
As stated above in Section 4, Para A, victims may take advantage of 
a 40-day "tolerated stay" law which can be renewed and allows them 
to work. 
 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  008 OF 011 
 
 
Slovakia has a victims' compensation law (No.215/2006) which allows 
for a one-time reimbursement for victims of violent crimes. The 
compensation is provided by the Ministry of Justice. 
 
¶H. PROTECTION FOR VICTIMS AND WITNESSES 
 
The government provides witness protection for victims, based upon a 
decision by an inter-ministerial committee. NGOs, through their 
victim assistance grants, provide protection for victims housed in 
their shelters by the use of a private security firm. Other witness 
protection measures include recorded testimony or testimony through 
video connection, which is now mandatory for minors.  Another law 
explicitly states that the victim and perpetrator must be kept 
separate during the judicial procedure, thus requiring video 
testimony for most current trafficking cases.  Outside of the 
witness protection program, MOI will fund up to 40 days of care for 
victims, including any services deemed necessary on an individual 
basis.  According to the MOI, juvenile victims are housed separately 
from adult victims. 
 
As stated in Section 4, para B, four victims were assisted by 
government-funded shelter program though the NGO Dotyk, while 43 
victims were assisted by non-government-funded programs through 
Dotyk and the IOM. 
 
¶I.  TRAINING FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS 
 
During the reporting period, the MOI -- through the Institute for 
Public Administration -- trained 50 employees of local and state 
governments in TIP. The training included how to communicate with 
victims, victim assistance, and general information about TIP. TIP 
is included in the human rights curriculum at the Police Academy, 
and during the reporting period, 400 police officers participated in 
post-graduate TIP training. The Government Council for Crime 
Prevention conducted TIP training for 90 municipal police from 
throughout Slovakia, and the Judicial Academy of the MOJ conducted a 
seminar for judges and prosecutors on the status and rights of 
victims in criminal procedures, which also focused on communication 
with victims. Lastly, the MOL created a plan to educate local 
governments, central government branches and law enforcement 
agencies on trafficking and victim assistance. Slovak missions 
abroad provide travel documents, assistance with money transfers, 
contacting relatives, arranging services, and travel home. The 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs helps refer repatriated victims to NGOs 
for assistance.  In some foreign missions, it is permissible to 
allow temporary accommodation and boarding. Slovak embassies abroad 
and NGOs cooperate according to the needs exhibited in the host 
country. 
 
¶J.  GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE 
 
The 40-day MOI-funded assistance program is available to repatriated 
Slovak citizens as well as foreign victims identified in Slovakia, 
though during the reporting period, no foreign victims were 
assisted. 
 
¶K.  NGO ASSISTANCE 
 
Most NGOs aiding trafficking victims in Slovakia are domestic, 
although they may have loose cooperation agreements with NGOs 
abroad.  Some of these Slovak NGOs are: the Alliance of Women, 
Dafne, Dotyk, Prima, Storm, Slovak Catholic Charity, the Cultural 
Association of Roma in Slovakia, and Victims' Support Slovakia. 
They provide a wide range of services, from preventive awareness 
education and identifying victims to arranging for repatriation 
transport to post-trafficking needs such as medical, mental health, 
legal, and protective services, and work re-training courses. As 
stated in Para A, the IOM's program is tailored to assist 
repatriated victims returning to Slovakia from abroad. 
 
New to this reporting period is the emergence of the Cultural 
Association of Roma in Slovakia (the "Association") as a MOI-funded 
player in the fight against TIP. The Association - one of the NGOs 
awarded grant money for the National Program's 2008 budget - plans 
to focus on prevention by training Roma social workers on TIP and by 
supporting TIP prevention activities in Roma communities. It also 
aims to create a communication and information network that can 
assist victims in seeking counseling and other services. 
 
NGOs received USD 68,000 in 2007 for anti-TIP programs. For 2008, 
NGO funding is expected to be approximately USD 227,000. 
 
------------------------------- 
¶5.  (SBU) PREVENTION 
------------------------------- 
 
¶A.  ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE PROBLEM 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  009 OF 011 
 
 
 
The Slovak government and officials acknowledge trafficking in 
persons as a problem. 
 
¶B. ANTI-TRAFFICKING CAMPAIGNS 
 
Government officials and agencies cooperated with NGOs on 
anti-trafficking information and education campaigns, targeting 
potential trafficking victims, but also educating local government 
workers, teachers, students, community centers, journalists, local 
police, and the border and alien police The GOS estimates that 
through these programs, it reached over 2000 people, including 24 
journalists, 90 city and municipal police, and 50 local government 
officials. 
 
During the process to join the EU Schengen Zone, the MOI published a 
brochure educating citizens about the risks of trafficking in 
persons. The 30 page booklet contains 11 pages totally dedicated to 
anti-TIP information. 
 
Further, the GOS made an effort to identify and help current and 
potential victims by making available to NGOs brochures about 
trafficking. The brochures were written in 9 languages (English, 
Vietnamese, Russian, Roma, Moldovan, Ukrainian, Polish, Hungarian, 
and Slovak). The brochure asks specific questions such as, "Are you 
being forced to work as a prostitute?"; "Are you being forced to 
work in a household or elsewhere?"; "Do they threaten you with 
violence?"; "Are they threatening your relatives?"; and, "Did they 
promise you something different?". The brochures, which were 
distributed by NGOs in areas where potential victims might be found, 
contain a hotline telephone number that victims can call. 
 
¶C. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND NGOS 
 
Cooperation exists between the government, NGOs, foreign embassies, 
and other international organizations focused on trafficking through 
working groups and committees.  Police worked with NGOs to receive 
training on victim identification and assistance, and are required 
by law to inform victims about how and where to find local support 
services.  NGO leaders stated that police have begun to contact them 
directly about certain cases and communication continues to improve. 
 
 
IO's interviewed for this report emphasized the improved atmosphere 
of cooperation and collaboration between NGOs and the GOS during the 
reporting period. 
 
¶D.  MONITORING OF BORDERS 
 
The MOI has continually strengthened border protection mechanisms 
and improved cross-border cooperation, particularly to gain 
eligibility for the Schengen Treaty, which it achieved in December 
¶2007.  However, Slovakia continues to be a transit country for 
illegal migrant smuggling to Western Europe. 
 
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) believes 
that the majority of smuggled or trafficked persons that have 
claimed asylum in Slovakia "disappear" by terminating their asylum 
cases after being registered at reception and refugee facilities. 
Slovakia has made progress in deterring illegal migration across its 
borders: in the past year, the number of new asylum cases decreased 
by 8 percent, to 2,643 (from 2,849 last year). The number of asylum 
seekers who terminate the procedure increased to 64 percent (1,693 
out of 2,643) versus last year, when 34 percent of seekers 
terminated their cases. The number of asylum cases granted remains 
below one percent. 
 
UNHCR notes that better implementation in recent years of Slovakia's 
Readmission Treaty with Ukraine has reduced the number of migrants 
in Slovakia  An agreement among the GOS, NGOs and UNHCR allows NGOs 
to monitor the border situation to ensure that asylum seekers are 
not sent back to their country of origin. The Ministry of Labor 
funds a facility for unaccompanied minors.  NGO field workers in 
asylum centers believe that all involved would benefit from TIP 
awareness training, including themselves, Migration Office staff, 
and the asylum-seekers. 
 
NGOs, UNHCR and IOM also continue to conduct police training and 
have cooperated with border police to identify potential trafficking 
victims among migrant populations.  This cooperation with police has 
increased and is generally positive, according to NGO 
representatives. 
 
¶E.  INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION 
 
The National Coordinator at the MOI is the point for 
inter-governmental coordination on trafficking.  Within his office, 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  010 OF 011 
 
 
he has designated the Director of the Department of Security 
Strategies to be the working-level point of contact.  The National 
Coordinator convened a high-level Expert Group-which meets at least 
once a year --  to approve strategies to fight trafficking in 
persons.  The group is designed to have the political weight to 
enforce measures to combat TIP.  The Expert Group includes Directors 
and State Secretaries from the Ministries of the Interior, Justice, 
Labor, Finance, Health, and Foreign Affairs, as well as, the office 
of the Deputy Prime Minister, the General Prosecutor, three NGOs, 
and IOM 
 
There was evidence of improved inter-governmental coordination 
during the drafting of the updated National Action Plan. The MOI 
reports improved cooperation with the Ministries of Justice, 
Education, Finance, Health, Labor and Social Affairs and Foreign 
Affairs. These agencies were asked for their input and criticisms 
during the drafting of the Plan, which greatly assisted the MOI 
staff. 
 
¶F. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN 
 
The National Program contains a National Action Plan for the fight 
against trafficking in persons. The plan calls for the establishment 
of an increased network of victim support services (specifically 
regarding legal, psychiatric, medical, and social assistance), the 
creation of repatriation protocols for Slovak victims identified 
abroad, and increased media and youth outreach campaigns. 
 
The agency responsible for its development is the MOI, in 
cooperation with ministries listed in Section 5, para E. 
Significantly, the MOI - as it conducted its draft process for the 
2008-2010 Program (and, subsequently, the National Action Plan) - 
consulted NGOs for the first time, tapping into their knowledge base 
and expertise. 
 
¶G. REDUCING DEMAND FOR COMMERICAL SEX ACTS 
 
The new criteria required by the TIP report were communicated to the 
GOS during the reporting period. As a result, the draft update of 
the National Program includes provisions for information campaigns. 
Specifically, the information campaigns will involve television and 
print media, educating the public about the criminal consequences of 
participation in illegal commercial sex acts. The MOI will be 
responsible for carrying out the campaign. The funding levels in the 
2008-2010 National Program for these activities will be USD 22,000. 
 
¶H. MEASURES TO REDUCE PARTICIPATION IN CHILD SEX TOURISM 
 
The Anti-Trafficking Unit of the police did not report any cases of 
Slovak nationals who had traveled abroad for child sex tourism 
during the reporting period. Thus, the GOS has not taken any 
measures to address this issue. 
 
¶I. MEASURES TO ENSURE NATIONALS DEPLOYED ABROAD DO NOT ENGAGE IN 
TIP-RELATED ACTIVITIES 
 
The draft update of the National Program provides for an anti-TIP 
information/education program for government personnel stationed 
abroad. This training will also focus on the consequences of 
participation in illegal commercial sex acts. The MOI and Ministry 
of Defense will be responsible for the program, which will be 
incorporated into police and military personnel basic training. The 
MOI plans to measure the success of this program by the number of 
members of police and armed forces trained.  Funding allotted for 
this program will be a portion of the USD 22,000 allotted for the 
reduction of commercial sex acts (see Para G above). 
 
----------------------------- 
¶6.  (SBU)  Best Practices 
----------------------------- 
 
In November 2007, the MOI organized an anti-TIP seminar, inviting a 
large group of stakeholders, including the Expert Group, other 
government agencies, NGOs and charities. The group, informally 
dubbed the "TIP Roundtable" met for two days to share points of 
view, criticisms, and ideas for improvement in anti-TIP practices. 
The seminar participants highly appreciated the opportunity to meet 
and discuss these issues as a group for the first time. Some 
participants have told post that the open and informal atmosphere 
allowed stakeholders to speak frankly about the GOS approach to 
anti-TIP activities. The MOI, in cooperation with the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs, is planning another seminar for March 31 - April 1, 
2008 with a focus on the international face of TIP. Expected to 
attend are:  representatives from the EU Parliament, UNODC, IOM, V-4 
countries (Hungary, Czech Republic, and Poland), Austria and 
Ukraine. This informal "Roundtable" - with its focus on dialogue and 
cooperation among stakeholders, is a good example of how Slovakia is 
 
BRATISLAVA 00000093  011 OF 011 
 
 
moving ahead in addressing the problem of TIP. 
 
OBSITNIK