29 October, 2000

FORMATION OF UNMIK ANTI-PROSTITUTION UNIT

The United Nations Police Force in Kosovo has formed a unit of 22 officers that will specialize in combating prostitution and the trafficking of humans in Kosovo.
The Trafficking and Prostitution Investigation Unit (TPIU) has already started operations in Pristina Region and will be working in all five Regions by the end of November. The unit will investigate the crimes of Prostitution & Trafficking in Humans, and separate the criminal element from the victims of Trafficking.

The formation of the TPIU represents a natural evolution of the United Nations police mission in Kosovo. Various UNMIK Police & KFOR units have been investigating prostitution-related crimes on a continuous basis and suspects have been arrested. Numerous victims of Trafficking have also been returned to their homes. However, the TPIU will attack prostitution-related crimes throughout Kosovo in an organized and systematic manner with central coordination of the effort.

A major focus of the TPIU will be the crime of Trafficking in Humans. Many victims are young women who answer advertisements for what appear to be legitimate jobs, but find themselves forced into prostitution. The victims of Trafficking will be treated as such and not as suspects. All victims of Trafficking will be offered sanctuary, medical treatment, and psychological counseling. Foreign victims of Trafficking will be offered repatriation assistance by the International Organization for Migration.

Perpetrators of Trafficking-related crimes will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Also subject to arrest and prosecution are the customers who knowingly use Trafficking-victim prostitutes. Establishments that engage in Trafficking in Humans and/or Prostitution will be publicly identified as such via announcements to the news media and by other means.

Barry Fletcher
Public Information Officer
UNMIK Police Press Office