Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2020, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Russian Federation (Ratification: 2003)

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that while child trafficking is prohibited by law (section 127.1 of the Criminal Code), it remains a source of serious concern in practice. In this regard, the Committee requested the Government to pursue its efforts to ensure the elimination of the sale and trafficking of children and young persons under 18 years of age in practice, and requested the Government to provide information on the number of reported violations, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed related to the sale and trafficking of children.

The Committee notes the repeated indication in the Government’s report on the criminalization of trafficking in persons by the Criminal Code and the administrative responsibility of legal entities provided by the Code of Administrative offences, as introduced by Federal Act No. 58-FZ of 2013. It also notes the statistical information provided by the Government regarding the cases of trafficking in persons, slave labour and prostitution, which, however, does not reflect the situation of cases involving child victims. The Committee also notes that, according to the information provided in the Government’s report under the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), in March 2018, two members of an organized group were detained at Domodedovo International Airport while transferring money in the amount of 1.5 million Russian rubles (approximately US$19,650) for the sale of a minor for the purpose of further prostitution in the Republic of Turkey. Criminal proceedings were instituted against the participants on the grounds of an offence under article 127.1, paragraph 1, of the Criminal Code. Moreover, in 2018, measures were also taken to combat illegal migration and crimes related to the exploitation of women and children, among others. As a result, 76 cases of exploitation of women and children were detected. The Committee thus requests the Government to provide concrete information on specific measures taken in practice by the law enforcement authorities, to ensure that thorough investigations and prosecutions of persons who engage in the sale and trafficking of children are carried out and that sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties are imposed. It once again requests the Government to provide information on the number of reported violations, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed related to the sale and trafficking of children.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (b). Direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and for their rehabilitation and social integration. The Committee previously noted that the Programme of Cooperation for 2014–18 among the member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) contains a set of measures to combat human trafficking and assist victims. The Committee requested the Government to strengthen its efforts to provide for the removal, rehabilitation and social reintegration of child victims of trafficking. It also requested the Government to provide information on the concrete measures taken to provide assistance to child victims of trafficking and the results achieved in terms of the number of children who have been provided with assistance, particularly within the framework of the Programme of Cooperation of the CIS.

The Committee notes the Government’s information that Government Decision No. 1272 of 25 October 2018 approved the State Programme to Ensure the Safety of Victims, Witnesses and Other Participants in Criminal Proceedings 2019–23, aimed at ensuring the safety of persons participating in criminal proceedings. The Government also indicates that Act No. 119-FZ of 20 August 2004 on the State Protection of Victims, Witnesses and Other Participants in Criminal Proceedings provides the legislative basis in this regard. However, there is no information on concrete measures to provide direct assistance to victims of worst forms of child labour. The Committee once again requests the Government to strengthen its efforts to provide for the removal, rehabilitation and social reintegration of child victims of trafficking. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the concrete measures taken to provide assistance to child victims of trafficking and the results achieved in terms of the number of children who have been provided with such assistance

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.