Bulgaria is already seeing the outcomes of the first legislation passed to combat trafficking, a problem which affects tens of thousands of women in the Eastern European country. But despite these advances, public sympathy for the victims remains low.

SOFIA, Bulgaria (WOMENSENEWS)--Elena doesn't talk much about her time outside Bulgaria. Tricked into forced prostitution in Western Europe by a job advertisement calling for secretaries in 2002, Elena spent nine months in bondage before escaping and making her way home. "It was a hell I would like to forget," says the slim 23-year-old, who asked to use a pseudonym. "But the difficulties I am facing now just seem to make that impossible." Even though Elena's family was glad to have her back home, she's found the readjustment immensely difficult; the attitudes of both herself and her loved ones changed. "My family does not ask me for specific details and try to pretend like nothing has happened, but often I catch them quietly looking at me," she explains. "It is hurtful and unnerving, but, like them, I don't really want to talk about it at all. I just want my life back."

Elena is not alone. Aid organizations estimate as many as 15,000 Bulgarian women have fallen into the hands of traffickers since this small Balkan nation emerged from behind the Iron Curtain in 1992, with thousands more falling victim every year. Like women from other Eastern European and former Soviet countries, Bulgarian victims of sex trafficking rarely find their way home; less than 5 percent of the victims have returned. While new legislation with stricter punishments of traffickers hopes to address the problem, there is little public sympathy for returning victims. They are almost always viewed as willing participants to their forced prostitution. On a global scale, it is impossible to know precisely how many women and young girls are trafficked each year for sexual exploitation, but international aid groups and non-governmental organizations believe the number to be between 700,000 and 2 million. Hundreds of thousands of them come from Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Those being trafficked out of Bulgaria often end up in European Union countries, particularly the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy and Spain. Bulgaria has also emerged as a transit and destination country for women from other impoverished former Soviet Union countries, like Romania and Ukraine, and--to a lesser extent--women from the Middle East and Asia.

 The Cinderella Dream Destroyed

"Too many young girls dream of marrying a rich man and being happy--their very own Cinderella story--so when they see or hear of chance to get out of the country, they rarely ask too many questions in case the answers destroy their dream," says Maria Tchomarova, director of La Strada-Bulgaria, the local chapter of a European-wide organization offering recovery services to trafficking victims. In a country where women constitute 65 percent of the long-term unemployed, young females desperate for work and a higher standard of living are easy prey for traffickers. Some are lured by job advertisements promising them work in a foreign country; some through unscrupulous "mail order bride" services; and some through acquaintances and friends already broken by traffickers temporarily sent home to recruit others. "We're talking about exploitation and slavery without mercy," says Tchomarova. "A very small percentage of the women have any idea what they're getting themselves into." For most victims of trafficking rings the outcome is pure terror. Once reaching their destination country the women commonly have their passports taken from them and learn they must prostitute themselves to pay off their travel-related costs. They are often sold and resold to different owners. Those who resist are often raped or beaten for days, weeks, even months until they agree to cooperate. "While the physical abuse is horrific, it is the mental torture--the breaking of the spirit--that causes the most severe damage, is the hardest to recover from," says Tchomarova, who has personally worked with dozens of trafficking survivors. "The pimps employ all sorts of mental strategies to convince the women they are worthless--telling them no one would marry a former prostitute, that no one will believe the woman was unaware, or that she came willingly so she deserves the treatment," she explained. "In the end, less than 10 percent of these women are able to stand up to the mental anguish." First Legislation on Trafficking Passed Aware of the growing problem and under pressure to clean up Bulgaria's act before scheduled entry into the European Union in 2007, authorities pushed through the country's first legislation dealing specifically with trafficking in May 2003. "We started late," admits Ralitsa Againe, a member of the Bulgarian National Assembly who lobbied other parliamentarians to support the Combating Traffic in People Act. "Institutions created by this legislation are just now getting off the ground and there is a lot more that can be done, such as better and more efficient regional structures, border control and educating of public opinion." The 2003 law calls for crisis and support centers for trafficked individuals, federal prosecutions and the establishment of a national commission to combat trafficking, a body that officials hope will be operational in early 2005. Under the new law, penalties for convicted traffickers--which previously carried a maximum sentence of 12 years--can go as high as life in prison. Authorities have had some successes. Bulgaria and France launched 20 joint operations in 2003, resulting in the conviction of 18 Bulgarians involved in trafficking. Similarly, in the Netherlands, joint operations continuing since 2002 have led to the conviction of 11 Bulgarian citizens for pimping, five of whom are also currently facing trafficking charges. At home, authorities have identified 34 organized crime groupings dabbling in trafficking, launching 26 investigations and garnering six prosecutions.

Unsympathetic Public

But legal and enforcement issues are only part of the problem. Public perception of trafficking, despite aid organization and government media campaigns, remains unsympathetic. "Most Bulgarians still equate trafficking with prostitution and there is little support for the victims," says Tchomarova. Non-governmental organizations working on the rehabilitation of victims are scarce, with only about 10 nationwide. These groups typically focus on psychological counseling, free medical care, legal representation and job training. Trafficking erupted out of the closet and into public consciousness in May 2003 with the arrest of popular rap singer Ivan Glavchev Jr.--known by his stage name Vanko 1--on charges of forced exportation of Bulgarian women to other European countries including Italy, France and Belgium. The chart-topping rapper stood accused of inducing more than a dozen young women--one of them a minor--into prostitution, while his father, Ivan Glavchev, and cousin, Dimitar Rachelov, faced charges of transporting girls across international boundaries for the purpose of forced prostitution. At the conclusion of a highly publicized trial last November, Vanko 1 received a 12-year sentence and a 120,000 Bulgarian Lev (about $75,000) fine. The judge ordered Vanko 1's father to serve a 5 year jail term and pay 50,000 (about $31,000), and sentenced Vanko 1's cousin to 10 years and a fine of 100,000 (about $62,500). "Discussion was intense on the Vanko 1 case, but despite serious and indisputable evidence, public opinion--particularly among the young--remains supportive of him," explained National Assembly member Againe. "His work, and the fact that 'older' people don't understand the music, youngsters seem to feel, is more important than whether or not he forcefully exported women." "In fact this case was widely viewed more as 'news entertainment' than a serious issue facing our country," the lawmaker added. "And that is probably the most frightening aspect."

Compiled from: "Bulgarian Trafficking Victims Face Hard Homecoming," Juliette Terzieff, Women's ENews, 26 September 2004. www.womensenews.org

Juliette Terzieff is a freelance journalist currently based in Buffalo, N.Y., who has worked for the San Francisco Chronicle, Newsweek, CNN International and the London Sunday Times in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South Asia.

For more information: Coalition Against Trafficking in Women-- The Ongoing Tragedy of International Slavery and Human Trafficking: An Overview Coalition Against Trafficking in Women: http://action.web.ca/home/catw/readingroom.shtml

 La Strada: prevention of traffic in women: http://www.strada.cz/ Vital Voices-- Trafficking Alert International Edition (July 2004): http://www.vitalvoices.org/programs/anti-trafficking/ta_int_july_2004

Copyright 2004 Women's eNews. The information contained in this Women's eNews report may--with the prior written authorization of Women's eNews--be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. To obtain permission, send an e-mail to permissions@womensenews.org and provide the publication or broadcast date and the name of the newspaper, magazine, radio or television station, cable network, Web site, newsletter or list serve where it will be replicated. Please include the approximate size of the audience you intend to reach.

GEM (Gender Evaluation Methodology) has a new, more easily navigable web site. The new site features: a revised GEM Tool and the new GEM Practitioners Network. The website will enable you to find GEM Testers' evaluation reports, including an evaluation of Karat News. The new site also includes the section, Understanding GEM, in which you will find GEM's conceptual documents.

For more information:  http://www.apcwomen.org/gem/practitioners/reports.shtm

Karat Coalition has launched two new websites, www.womenslabour.org and www.kobietypraca.org. www.womenslabour.org is in English and focuses on the link between the position of CEE women in labor and the enlargement of the European Union. It aims to serve gender-focused NGO's, as well as individuals. www.kobietypraca.org is in Polish and provides information about women in Poland's labor market while focusing on the adoption of Polish policies to the European Union employment strategy standards.

For more information, please see the EU Enlargement section of this website.

A new book about the use of the Internet by women within Croatian society has been published. "Women & Internet: Croatian Perspective" by Kristina Mihalec and Nevenka Sudar, 2004 (ISBN 953-6967-08-1) explores different analytical perspectives on the subject and links the analysis with the lives of women in Croatia and South Eastern Europe. The main objective of the book is to contribute, from a regional level, to the discourse on women and ICTs, as well as the identification of problems and creation of solutions from a local perspective.

Compiled from: Kristina Mihalec, Women's Information Technology Transfer, 19 July 2004.

For more information, please visit the Croatia section of this website.

The Bush Administration is considering an implementation that would require hospitals to not only ask uninsured patients intimidating questions, but also to keep patient files containing copies of border crossing cards, passports and visas. Hospitals would be required to comply in order to receive part of a $1 billion, four-year federal aid package. Congress passed the aid package as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 with the goal of defraying the costs of emergency care for undocumented immigrants. Health and domestic violence experts fear the intimidating questions will prevent both legal and undocumented immigrants from seeking the care they need. Experts also warn that the implementation would prevent immigrant women experiencing domestic violence from receiving the needed care and services to protect their children as well as themselves.

Compiled from: "Hospital Regulation Would Threaten Battered Immigrant Women, Experts Warn," Family Violence Prevention Fund's News Flash, 2 September 2004.

The Greek Helsinki Monitor (GHM) sent a letter on September 8, 2004, to national government agencies to inform all parties involved and to emphasize that to date only one trafficking victim, Olga B, has received a residence permit. Applications submitted by trafficking victims are still pending, despite some being submitted nearly a year ago. GHM also made reference to the fact that Olga B. has not received her work permit. 

Acting as the legal representative of the interested victims, GHM has highlighted some of the problems in previous letters to government offices, including to the Office of the Secretary-General to the Ministry of Interior, but none have replied.

GHM asserts "it is obvious that, notwithstanding any explanations regarding the current problems, the Presidential Decree 233/03 on the granting of immediate assistance to victims remains inapplicable, one year later. On the other hand, the state gives the impression that it limits itself to announcing measures but does not intervene to solve the problems arising from its own (in)action, problems whose resolution, i.e. granting permits to recognized victims, is a matter of a few days, provided that there is the will to crack on bureaucracy."

In the letter, GHM requested that the recipients take appropriate measures in order to immediately award all pending permits.

Cited from: Press Release: Residence and Work Permits Not Issued to Trafficking Victims in Greece, Greek Helsinki Monitor, 8 September 2004.

For more information, please visit the Trafficking in Women: Protection, Support and Assistance to Victims section of this website.

According to oneworld.net, the Special Court for Organized Crime in Belgrade will begin proceedings against ten men charged with organized crime and human trafficking.

The prosecution claims that the men sent girls from Serbia to Venice, Italy, where they were forced into prostitution. Drawn in with stories of a better life and lucrative restaurant jobs, the girls accepted 500 Euros in advance for "travel expenses." En route to Italy, their passports were taken away and replaced with forged Croatian identification cards. Smuggled into Venice by boat, the girls were put under tight watch by members of the Serbian, Albanian and Russian mafia. One girl, who managed to escape, will appear as a witness in the case.

Compiled from: "Trial Group charged with Human Trafficking Starts at Special Court," Network of East-West Women Polska/NEWW, What's New, Newsletter No. 48, 13 September 2004.

The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) has announced a new permanent Gender Advisor, Comfort Lamptey.  Ms. Lamptey replaces Acting Gender Advisor Anna Shotton, who served in the position since October 2003, and who will now be the DPKO’s Focal Point on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

Ms. Lamptey has worked previously with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Africa and at UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva Switzerland, and with the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) as both Program Officer and Peacebuilding Advisor.

Ms. Lamptey will be based in the Peacekeeping Best Practices Unit at DPKO Headquarters in New York.

Compiled from:  1325 PeaceWomen E-News, Issue #47, 3 September 2004, complete text here.

Every year, thousands of women throughout Europe are victimized by domestic slavery. Many are forced to become household servants, while others are exploited and subjected to abuse after becoming au pairs or mail order spouses. From the Council of Europe, Parliamentarians are calling for the application of a zero tolerance policy for domestic slavery. The Assembly adopted a resolution suggesting that:

1) Victims be given aid, regardless of the status of their papers and whether they were victims of human trafficking;

2) An accreditation system be developed for agencies that place women as au pair girls, domestic workers and mail order spouses;

3) Temporary residence permits be granted for victims of domestic slavery;

4) A Charter of Domestic Workers' Rights guaranteeing social rights to the workers be adopted; and,

5) Victim compensation be made available.

Compiled from: The Network of East-West Women-Polska/NEWW

In response to the lack of reliable data regarding the magnitude, health impacts and risk factors of sexual violence (particularly from developing and middle income countries), the Sexual Violence Research Initiative has been launched. The SVRI is funded by the Global Forum for Health Research and hosted by the the World Health Organization (WHO). The initiative aims to form a network of researchers, policy makers, activists and donors who will cooperate and work towards the goal of addressing the many aspects of sexual violence. The primary objective of the SVRI is to reduce and respond to sexual violence through the promotion and dissemination of action-oriented research. For more information, visit www.who.int

Compiled from: The Network of East-West Women-Polska/NEWW

Macedonian police arrested one ethnic Albanian and two ethnic Macedonians near Bitola on 14 September for their alleged involvement in a large human-trafficking ring, dpa reported. Police also detained eight illegal immigrants from China and Albania during the raid on the house used by the three suspects. Police told reporters that the traffickers charged the illegal migrants $1,460 each to take them from Albania to Greece via Macedonia. Meanwhile, Macedonian police launched a manhunt for an unidentified suspect believed to be a serial rapist who has abused about 20 women in Skopje over the past year. PM

Copyright (c) 2004. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org.

For more information, please visit the Trafficking in Women portion of this website

Cited from: U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations Donates Anti-Trafficking Equipment to Montenegrin Ministry of Interior, Government of the Republic of Montenegro, 14 September 2004.

For more information, please visit the Serbia and Montenegro section of this website.

The United Nations Non-governmental Liaison Service has a new Millenium Goals Internet Portal. The portal provides access to information on MDG Basics, United Nations, Civil Society, and Country-Regional Action, connects you to tools, links and listservs and a calendar of events, and allows visitors to make suggestions.

2. The conference calls for adequate supports for victims of violence against women and the implementation of minimum standards of supports in each member state which ensure victim safety and sanctioning of perpetrator.

3. In the light of the conference acknowledgement that prostitution is an abuse of women’s human rights, the conference calls for the extension of the Swedish model of legislation which criminalises the purchase of sex, to Ireland and across the EU.

4. The conference welcomed the presence of prostitution, pornography and trafficking on the Presidency Conference agenda in Dublin and calls for all future EU Presidency conferences on Violence against women to include these themes.

5. The conference calls for violence against women to be seen as and treated as a violation of women’s human rights. It further calls on all Member States of the EU to implement protections for women by the implementation of existing EU and UN instruments (including 1949 UN Convention on Trafficking, UN Protocol on Prevention and Suppression of Trafficking in Women, Council of Europe reports, Framework Decision on Victims etc) and to monitor such implementation so as to show the accountability of all Member States and the EU as a bloc, in the protection and vindication of the rights of women to live lives free from all forms of violence.

Grainne Healy

Conference Rapporteur

May 2004

Cited from:  "Recommendations from EU Presidency Conference on Violence against Women," European Women's Lobby, 18 June 2004; "Recommendations from EU Presidency Conference on Violence Against Women, Dublin, May 2004," Newsletter No. 47, The Network of East-West Women-Polska/NEWW, 3 September 2004.

European health ministers and experts gathered at a conference in Vilnius, Lithuania to build a consensus on Europe-wide actions to fight the resurgent HIV/AIDS epidemic in the European Union. Opening the conference, European Commissioner Pavel Telicka warned the "silent plague" knew "no boundaries".

A recent EU report stated that infection rates in Russia and some east European countries are now among the highest in the world. A sharp increase in the number of intravenous drug users and a resurgence in unprotected sex, has led a dramatic rise in new HIV infections in recent years for some new EU members, such as Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The EU's eastern neighbours, like Ukraine and Belarus, have the fastest growth of AIDS anywhere in the world. Ukraine is one of the poorest countries in Europe and health services have struggled to cope following the collapse of the USSR. High levels of intravenous drug taking has also affect Ukraine. The United Nations agency, UNAIDS, claims that stigma, ignorance and political indifference about AIDS are deeply entrenched in Ukraine and this has caused the disease to increase.

The number of new cases in western Europe has doubled since 1995, showing the resurgent HIV/AIDS epidemic is not confined to only new EU members. In western Europe AIDS infection rates have continued to rise as a result of diminishing government commitments to prevention efforts and complacency linked to the availability of treatment.

The EU has set aside 1.2 billion euros ($1.5 billion) to tackle AIDS over the next two years. The conference declaration asserted the need for “coherent, comprehensive and multisectoral national HIV/AIDS coordination structures strategies and financing plans are in place and are implemented at national and relevant sub-national levels, and foster the involvement of people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS, including persons caring for family members living with HIV/AIDS, in the further development of such measures”.

For more information on the 2nd Open Europe AIDS Conference in Vilnius, Lithuania you can visit the Conference web-site: http://www.aids.lt/iac/index.php.

Compiled from: Europe facing AIDS Epidemic, Marit Ruuda, EUobserver.com, 9 September 2004; Europe unites for new Aids battle, BBC News, 17 September 2004; 2nd Open Europe AIDS Conference "Europe and HIV/AIDS:New Challenges, New Opportunities."

Cited from: EU: Brussels Voices Concern Over Delayed Adoption Of New Turkish Penal Code, Ahto Lobjakas, 17 September 2004. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 19 August 2004. Copyright (c) 2004. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org.

For more information, please visit the Enlargement of the European Union section of this website.

Cited from: World: Conference Seeks to Assert "Gender Justice" in Conflict Zones, Robert McMahon, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 19 August 2004. Copyright (c) 2004. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org.

Tomorrow, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the Kosovo Womens network will introduce the advocacy campaign, Women purpose. The three-stage campaign is designed to promote the increased participation of women as voters and candidates in the October Assembly elections. The first stage of the campaign will establish an Information Service to inform women candidates on municipalities and relevant issues. The second stage will attempt to endorse women candidates through the Kosovo Womens Network webpage and the distribution of candidate information. Finally, the third stage will involve public meetings and radio and television debates with women candidates from all 30 municipalities.

According to the OSCE, Women purpose will benefit from extensive media coverage through the attention of local radio stations and the broadcasting of a documentary on the campaign on a local television station. Both outlets are expected to further mobilize and promote the participation of women in the political process.

Through support by the OSCE, the Star Network of Learning and UNIFEM, Women Purpose marks the most recent campaign for womens political rights. The advocacy campaign, Political Parties Work for Women, came to a close earlier this year.

Complied from:  "OSCE Mission and Kosovo Women's Network Continue Advocacy for Women's Empowerment," OSCE Online, News, 20 September 2004.

Astraea's International Fund for Sexual Minorities was established with a donor-directed grant from Ise Bosch through the Heinrich Böll Foundation and with the initial efforts of the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission. The creation of this Fund acknowledges the growing global movement for the human rights of sexual minorities and the well-documented need to support groups that enhance the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (lgbti) peoples worldwide.

Astraea's emphasis is on funding groups that are committed to progressive social change. Astraea grantees are lesbian organizations and LGBTI organizations, or progressive organizations that have LGBTI's in leadership roles and include LGBTI issues as an integral part of their work.  We also fund gay men, transgender, and intersex groups that fulfill the above criteria. Through advocacy and education, groups are working to fight homophobia, and to promote human rights for LGBTI's in their home countries, as well as providing social and cultural spaces for LGBTI's to come out and to express their individuality.  Astraea funds such issues as anti-violence, health, culture, economic justice, anti-homophobia, advocacy, leadership development and empowerment services.

Astraea, the first nationwide lesbian foundation in the United States, has been a feminist, grassroots-oriented organization since its founding in 1977. Started by a multi-racial, multi-cultural group of feminist activists, Astraea has always worked with and on behalf of projects that embrace and promote a social justice agenda throughout the world.

GENERAL GUIDELINES                                                                          Astraea's International Fund for Sexual Minorities supports groups, projects, or organizations working towards progressive social change which are led by and/or for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender, and intersex (LGBTI)* communities and directly address oppression based on sexual orientation and gender expression.

·         Organizations should also demonstrate an understanding of the connections among oppressions and have a commitment to address other forms of oppression such as oppression based on gender, class, race, ethnicity, age, physical and mental ability, national identity, and religious affiliation.

·         Projects funded by Astraea embrace inclusivity and reflect the diversity of the geographic region in which they do their work.

*We recognize the limitations of Western definitions of transgender and same gender-loving people and support indigenous expressions of these identities such as Two Spirit (Native American), Shamakhami (Bengali), Hijra (Hindi), etc.

GROUPS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

Your group must fulfill all of the following requirements:

• Only groups, and not individuals, are eligible to apply.
• Groups must be based in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, the Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Republics, the Middle East, or Africa.
• Groups must be doing work on issues affecting LGBTI* people and/or people who are penalized, persecuted or harassed for their sexual behavior with consenting adults or for their gender expression. Non-LGBT-led groups must demonstrate how they address LGBTI human rights issues and how they involve LGBTI's in organizational decision-making.
• A group must have been active for at least one year at the time you send in your proposal.  A group which has been active for less than one year may apply if you demonstrate your group's ability to sustain activities over the long-term and illustrate how a grant would help you to build your organization's capabilities.

FUNDING PRIORITIES - applicants must meet the preceding criteria and eligibility requirements.

Funding priorities include the following:

• Groups directed by and targeted to lesbians.
• Groups composed of, or have a history of working with, lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/intersex communities, who may also work with vulnerable sexual minorities including transvestites, sex workers, youth, seniors, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities.

Within the above funding priorities, serious consideration is given to the following projects:

• Proposals which strengthen a group's ability to organize. Organizing may be defined as activities that actively engage people affected by societal problems in the process of identifying and pursuing solutions.  Strategies could include building infrastructure and communications, including appropriate technology, between group members or with non-group members at a local, national, regional or global level.
• Groups with limited sources of traditional funding.
• Groups that would benefit from general support funds for such expenses as equipment, rent, supplies, training, and staff needs that help build the capacity of the group to carry out its work.

TYPES OF SUPPORT

Astraea Foundation generally does not fund university-sponsored projects.  Astraea Foundation generally does not fund organizations with budgets above US $500,000.

• General Support:  Organizations may apply for general support, including expenses such as salary and rent, equipment, training, and staff needs that help build the management and programmatic capacity of the group to carry out its work.
• Project Support:  Organizations or groups that meet our guidelines and fit in a priority funding category may apply for a specific project or for program support.

NEXT DEADLINES

15 October 2004  & 15 March 2005

FUNDING LEVELS

The maximum grant is US $10,000.  The average grant ranges from US $2,000 to US $6,000. 

REVIEW PROCESS

1.      Applications are reviewed and discussed by the International Fund Grants Panel, with participation from the International Advisory Board and Astraea staff.

2.      All applicants are notified by mail of funding decisions within five months after the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF A GRANT

• Groups awarded a grant will receive a written term of agreement.  A follow-up report is due within a year of the grant.
• A group may receive only one grant in a 12 month period. However, there is no limit to the number of consecutive year grants an organization may be awarded.
• Grants will only be made to non-governmental organizations and/or projects which meet in form and spirit of the criteria which are used in determining non-taxable 501 (c)(3) status in the United States of America, i.e. organizations operated for charitable or educational purposes. 
• Grants can only be made to the bank account of the organization.  Astraea does not make grant payments to the account of an individual.

International Fund Application

Cover Sheet

While the Turkish Parliament's amended version of their Penal Code includes strong protections for women escaping domestic and community violence, the criminalization of adultery, along with other discriminatory provisions have been added to the proposed revisions. The Turkish Parliament is preparing to vote on the Penal Code, and as such, there is an ongoing campaign to urge the Turkish government to abolish the gender-discriminatory articles of the amended Penal Code and to actively enforce the Family Protectiton Law. For more information about how to get involved, please visit Amnesty International's Take Action! web site.

Compiled from: "Call on Turkish Government to Pass and Enforce Laws that Will Protect Women's Lives", Amnesty International USA, 14 September 2004.

The OSCE mission to Moldova is financing a series of training courses focusing on assisting trafficking victims. The second workshop began September 23, 2004 in Molovata Noua, and is being implemented by the NGO La Strada. The goal is to develop guidelines for best practices for assisting victims. A guide will be drafted during the course of the workshop and will be distributed to participants and experts at a later date. As a part of the OSCE Mission's Strengthening Protection and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking, Adult's and Minors project, the workshops will also aid in the development of a network of devoted professionals who are working to assist survivors.

Compiled from: "OSCE Mission and La Strada Moldova to help develop best practices guide in assisting traffickingn victims," OSCE Online, 23 September 2004.

A conference organized by the OSCE’s office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights addressing the protection of victims of trafficking drew to a close today after finalizing a set of recommendations which will serve as a basis for future work of OSCE States to combat trafficking.

Participants of the conference emphasized the obligation of States to protect the rights of victims and urged increased cooperation between authorities, international organizations and civil society, including law enforcement agencies and NGOs. Participants also stressed the importance of improved victim identification processes and the need for strengthened social inclusion, victim protection, and gender equality as well as measures to fight prejudice.

Madeline Rees, Head of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office in Bosnia and Herzegovina said of the conference's recommendations: "It is important that we realize that the reality of trafficking changes constantly, and that we must react to it accordingly."

Conference participants argued the need for a methodology similar to the National Referral Mechanisms adopted in parts of Europe to compile information and figures on trafficking. Such a methodology would allow OSCE States to collaborate on providing assistance to trafficking victims.

Finally, participants suggested the establishment of an independent National Rapporteur in each OSCE country to advise authorities on action against trafficking.

"All of the trafficked people have their tragic story to tell, and a clear wish to retrieve their human dignity. I think we have an obligation to give them both hope and concrete action," said Elisabeth Rehn, Chair of the Working Table on Human Rights and Democratization within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.

Compiled from: OSCE/ODIHR conference in Helsinki calls for wider co-operation to assist victims of trafficking, OSCE Online, News, 24 September, 2004.

For more information, please see the Trafficking in Women: Protection, Support and Assistance of Victims section of this website.

The practice was condemned by international human rights groups as racist and halted as official policy. Charges that sterilizations continued in recent years have been brought forth by the Budapest-based European Roma Rights Centre, along with two Czech civil society groups, which are representing the legal interests of about 10 Romani women.

Cited from:  "Health Ministry to Investigate Allegations that Romani Women were Sterilised Without Their Consent," Brian Kenety, Radio Prague, News, 25 September, 2004.

Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International are among 70 NGOs from Europe and beyond who are calling on the 45 Council of Europe Member states to enhance the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons. The call comes as the Ad Hoc Committee on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, (a group of government-representatives from the 45 Council of Europe member states, known as "CAHTEH") begins its penultimate meeting in Strasbourg, France on 28 September, to draft a European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings.

The number of people in the Council of Europe region who are affected by this contemporary form of slavery has increased dramatically over the last decade.

"Trafficking of human beings is, in itself, a serious human rights violation. It is an offence to the dignity and integrity of the human being and by its very nature - involving coercion and/or deception and exploitation - victims of trafficking are subjected to a range of human rights abuses. However, all too often, trafficked persons are misidentified by the authorities as undocumented and illegal migrants; they are often treated as criminals rather than victims of serious human rights abuses and are sent quickly back to their countries of origin, where many risk reprisals and/or re-trafficking. Such action also thwarts efforts to bring those responsible for trafficking to justice," said Mary Cunneen, Director of Anti-Slavery International.

"States have a responsibility, individually and in cooperation with each other, not only to take measures to prevent trafficking and prosecute traffickers, but also to protect and respect the human rights of trafficked persons," said Jill Heine, Legal Adviser Amnesty International, who will address CATHEH's meeting in Strasbourg.

Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International have welcomed the Council of Europe's focus on trafficking in human beings, and in particular the mandate of the Foreign Ministers of these 45 states to the CAHTEH to draft a European treaty which enhances the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons.

Having reviewed the most recent draft of the treaty, however, Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International consider that, during its two final meetings, the CAHTEH must strengthen some of the provisions if it is to fulfil its mandate to draft a treaty which designs a "comprehensive framework for the protection and assistance of trafficked persons and witnesses". Doing so will require states to go beyond existing norms enshrined in international and regional standards and national law.

In the joint Statement signed by over 70 NGOs working on trafficking and related issues in Europe and beyond, organisations call on the CAHTEH to ensure that the text of the European Convention against Trafficking identifies trafficking as a human rights violation and requires states to ensure:

- The prompt and accurate identification of trafficked persons by trained and qualified persons

- That trafficked persons are not detained, charged or prosecuted for the illegality of their entry into or residence in a country, or for their involvement in unlawful activities that are a consequence of their situation as trafficked persons

- The availability and access of trafficked persons to a full range of measures of assistance and protection measures and services, including medical and psychological care, and legal assistance safe and secure housing, on the basis of need

- That any person reasonably believed to have been trafficked is granted a period of at least 3 months to stay in the country (known as the Reflection and Recovery Period) while they begin to recover, to escape the influence of their trafficker and/or to enable them to make informed decisions about their future, including cooperation with law enforcement efforts, in security

- That following the Reflection and Recovery Period, trafficked persons are granted 6-month renewable and permanent residence permits on the basis of periodic needs and risk assessment, rather than solely conditional on the cooperation of the trafficked person with law enforcement efforts

- That no trafficked person will be returned to any country if there is a risk to their life or safety, including the risk of re-trafficking.

If these recommendations are adopted, the Council of Europe's treaty could fill a significant gap, as today there are no treaties that comprehensively address states obligations to respect and protect the human rights of trafficked persons.

Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International also call on each government in the 45 Council of Europe member states to hold consultations about this draft treaty with civil society, in particular with organizations and individuals which work with or on behalf of trafficked persons.

Background

The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers mandated the Ad Hoc Committee on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (known as CAHTEH) to draft a European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings by December 2004. During the upcoming meeting, 28 September - 1 October, the CAHTEH will complete its second reading of a draft of this treaty.

The Committee of Ministers specifically requested the CAHTEH to design a comprehensive gender-sensitive framework for the protection of the human rights of victims of trafficking, as well as focusing on prevention, investigation, prosecution and international cooperation.

The Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg, France was founded in 1949 to defend human rights, parliamentary democracy and the rule of law. To these ends, this inter-governmental organization has adopted 196 treaties, including the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and established monitoring bodies including the European Court of Human Rights. The current Member States of the Council of Europe are: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, FYR Macedonia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.Monaco is due to become the 46th Member State in October 2004.

For more information, please see the following documents:

Amnesty International's and Anti-Slavery Internationals General Recommendations on the draft European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings: http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacGVDabajXAbe1UKub/

Enhancing the Protection of the Rights of Trafficked Persons: Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International's Recommendations to strengthen provision of the July 2004 draft European Convention against Trafficking in Human Beings: http://amnesty-news.c.topica.com/maacGVDabajXBbe1UKub/

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Women's eNews would like nominations of women or men of all ages, heritages, countries and professions who have made a positive impact on the lives of women. These leaders will be honored at the annual Women's eNews 21 Leaders for the 21st Century gala to be held on May 17th, 2005 in New York City.

In the past, this honor has been bestowed on extraordinary women such as Shirin Ebadi, winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize; Faye Wattleton, president of the Center for the Advancement of Women; Helen LaKelly Hunt, founder and president of the Sister Fund and Blu Greenberg, founder of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance.

You can read about all of the past newsworthy leaders and take a look at the photos from the 2004 gala by clicking on this link: http://www.womensenews.org/21leaders2004.cfm

Our editorial staff and board of directors will review each nomination and announce the honorees on New Year's Eve by posting their biographies and photographs on our Web site (http://www.womensenews.org), where they will remain for all of 2005.

Your nomination must include:

1. The nominee's name, organization, title, e-mail address and contact information
2. Your name, relationship to the nominee, your e-mail address and contact information
3. A summary--100 words or less--of how this person has made a lasting impact on behalf of women.

Please send your nominations to: 21leaders@womensenews.org by midnight on October 17, 2004.

We look forward to reading the inspiring stories of the people who have touched your lives!

Cited from: 21 Leaders for the 21^st Century 2005, Women's eNews.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Across America, events and activities raising awareness about domestic violence are being planned. Participants in such events range from elected officials and police officers to battered women's advocates and concerned citizens. They all share a common goal: to raise awareness about the cost and prevalence of domestic violence, the need for prevention measures, and the available services for victims of domestic violence. For more information about planned events, please visit Family Violence Prevention Fund's Newsflash, September 24, 2004.

Compiled from: Family Violence Prevention Fund, Newsflash, 24 September 2004.

For more information about Domestic Violence, please visit the Domestic Violence section of this website.

Czech police officers arrested thirteen members of a human trafficking ring. It is believed that the ring smuggled Vietnamese women into the country using false promises of legal employment and then forcing them into prostitution. The gang was broken by a special police unit working against organized crime. An important tool in the fight against terrorism and organized crime is the European arrest warrant, which is aimed at preventing criminals who are involved in certain serious crimes (such as human trafficking) from eluding prosecution. The arrest warrant now applies to Czech citizens because the Lower House of Parliament overrode the veto of Czech president Vaclav Klaus last week.

Compiled from: "European Arrest Warrant Adopted," Daniela Lazarova, Radio Prague, 27 September 2004 and Police Arrest Members of Human Trafficking Group, Radio Prague, 27 September 2004.

For more information about human trafficking, please visit the Trafficking in Women and the Czech Republic sections of this website.