Lithuania among most active countries fighting human trafficking

  • 2012-06-20

VILNIUS - The U.S. Department of State has announced the 12th international Trafficking in Persons Report about the efforts of different countries across the world to combat human trafficking. Lithuania falls to the group of the most advanced countries.

The report, which was presented by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday, says that in 2011 Lithuania's Government identified twice more victims of trafficking in persons, launched three times more investigations and ensured custodial sentences for traffickers.

Last year, Lithuanian authorities initiated 21 investigations into human trafficking and launched 37 persecutions of traffickers. In 2011, a total of 17 traffickers were jailed. Lithuania cooperated with different foreign countries while investigating 6 international crimes related to trade in persons.

The U.S. Department of State in its report also makes recommendations on ways to strengthen efforts in fighting human trafficking. Lithuania is recommended to provide for criminal penalties for forced begging as a form of trade in persons and exploitation, improve the identification system for the victims, investigate crimes of trade in persons more actively and prosecute for these crimes.