Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2024, published 113rd ILC session (2025)

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. The Committee notes that, according to the statistical data provided by the Government in its report, 7 persons were convicted under section 127.1, paragraph 2(b) (trafficking in children) of the Criminal Code in 2022, 11 in 2021 and 13 in 2020. It also notes that, in its concluding observations of 2024, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) took note of information indicating that, with regard to trafficking in persons, the situation has deteriorated significantly in the country and that the State party has not taken measures to address it (CRC/C/RUS/CO/6-7, 1 March 2024, paragraph 43). The Committee urges the Government to take the necessary measures to ensure that all cases of child trafficking are thoroughly investigated, with a view to prosecuting those responsible and imposing sufficiently effective and dissuasive penalties. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the practical application of section 127.1, paragraph 2(b), of the Criminal Code, in particular on the number of investigations and prosecutions initiated, as well as on convictions and penalties applied for offences related to child trafficking.

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 notes with regret that the Government’s report does not contain information on the concrete measures envisaged to provide direct assistance to victims of the worst forms of child labour. The Committee requests the Government to take immediate and effective measures to remove child victims of trafficking from this worst form of child labour and to ensure their rehabilitation and social integration. It also requests the Government to provide detailed information on the concrete measures taken to this end, indicating the number of child victims of trafficking under the age of 18 who have been identified and provided with assistance.

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