Sex Belarus
International Adoption Belarus
Fax: 375 – 17-231-0617 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS: A prospective parent may be single, divorced or widowed. A prospective parent must be at least 16 years older than the adoptive child. Single parents are permitted to adopt a child of either sex. RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: There are no residency requirements for Belarusian adoptions. [Read More]
V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G
Chile is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Most victims are Chilean minors trafficked internally for sexual exploitation. According to a 2003 study conducted by the Chilean National Department of Childrens Affairs (SENAME), at least 3,700 children were victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Traffickers are known to contact victims and their families directly or through advertisements offering jobs as domestic help, models, or product promoters. Chileans have been trafficked to Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, the United States, Europe, and Asia for sexual exploitation. Foreign victims are brought to Chile for sexual exploitation or involuntary domestic servitude from Peru, Argentina, Colombia, and Bolivia, though authorities find it difficult to distinguish trafficking victims from economic migrants. [Read More]
2004 Country Report on Human Rights Practices in Belarus
Homophobia and discrimination against homosexuals were a problem. Although homosexuality was not a criminal offense, homophobia was widespread and instances of harassment occurred in all spheres of society. A negative statement about homosexuals by President Lukashenko in September demonstrated that negative attitudes towards homosexuals existed at the highest levels of government. ... Rape was a problem. A law against rape exists; however, most women did not report rape due to shame or fear that the police would blame the victim. Over 20 percent of women reported experiencing sexual abuse at least once, according to data released by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security in November. In a survey of 2,000 women, 30 percent indicated that they had been raped or sexually abused between the ages of 14 and 17. In addition, sexual harassment was reportedly widespread, but no specific laws other than those against physical assault deal with the problem. There is no explicit law against spousal rape and there have been no prosecutions. Socially, spousal rape was not viewed as a crime. ... [Read More]
Belarus
Provisions of the Criminal Code penalize trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual or other kinds of exploitation. The Criminal Code also criminalizes the hiring of individuals in order to exploit them sexually or otherwise. The penalty for trafficking is between 5 and 7 years' imprisonment and severe forms of trafficking are punishable by up to 15 years' imprisonment. ... Although government statistics were not available, women's groups reported that domestic violence, including spousal abuse against women, was a significant problem. The U.N. Development Fund for Women (UNFEM) conducted research, coordinated by the Association of Young Christian Women, which indicated that three-fourths of the adult population was aware of the problem of domestic violence against women. The research also indicated that one in three women have been beaten by her spouse or sexual partner. In 2002, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare issued a regulation to establish crisis centers, which NGOs operated during the year primarily in Minsk. ... [Read More]
Belarus
Provisions of the Criminal Code that entered into effect at the beginning of 2001 penalize trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual or other kinds of exploitation. The Criminal Code also criminalizes the hiring of individuals in order to exploit them sexually or otherwise. The penalty for trafficking is between 5 and 7 years' imprisonment. The Ministry of Internal Affairs acknowledges that Russian criminal organizations may try to lure and recruit women into serving as prostitutes in Western Europe and the Middle East. Traffickers, who are associated with organized crime and drug trafficking, entice their victims through advertisements for lucrative jobs in newspapers and on the Internet. ... [Read More]
Austria, United States Jointly Investigate Child Pornography - US Department of State
The Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), in conjunction with local police agencies across the country, were acting on leads provided by ICE's Attaché in Vienna, Austria, as part of a massive investigation under ICE's Operation Predator. Operation Predator draws on ICE's unique investigative and enforcement authorities to safeguard children from foreign national pedophiles, human traffickers, international sex tourists, and individuals who trade in child pornography. ICE has arrested more than 5,800 individuals in the U.S. since the program began on July 9, 2003. In addition, foreign law enforcement authorities acting on information provided by ICE have arrested more than 1,000 individuals. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
Many Embassy employees shop for clothes via the Internet, from the Peter Justesen catalog, or from the many mail order U.S. companies. (The CLO office regularly receives new catalogs from all the major companies.) Clothes shipped through the APO usually take about 2 weeks to arrive. Other Embassy employees shop for clothes in Vilnius, Lithuania a relatively close mecca for many things Western, or they restock on visits to the U.S. MenLast Updated: 11/28/2003 11:20 AM For men, slacks, shirts, sweaters, leather coats, and nice shoes are in style. Shorts, tennis shoes, T-shirts, or jeans are rarely worn by either sex, however the standards for men are a bit more relaxed. Colors tend to be conservative. [Read More]
Eurasia-Caucasus Fact Sheets - US Department of State
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May
1111--05/28/03 Release of Conference Document Pathbreaking Strategies in the Global Fight Against Sex Trafficking - May 29 ... 1111--05/29/03 Briefing on Release of Conference Document on the Global Fight Against Sex Trafficking ... [Read More]
Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week, 2004
My Administration also has advanced the fight against human trafficking and the abuse and exploitation of women and children, particularly of young girls in the sex trade. In addition, we have expanded our Nation's support for democracy promotion programs globally and have increased the budget for the National Endowment for Democracy to strengthen support for free elections, free markets, free speech, and human rights advocacy around the world. ... [Read More]
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