Human trafficking in Moldova

Abstract

Since Moldova declared its independence in 1992 and people gained the right to travel freely abroad, illegal migration and human trafficking became an important problem for the Government and its international partners. After the war against Russia, in Transnistria (1992) the Government lost control over the most industrialized part of the country and almost all the eastern border. Constant fights between prowestern and pro-russian parties, corruption created an environment where officials could use their positions to make fortunes by protecting organized crime. Poverty and lack of employment opportunities in Moldova made people desperately search for solutions in other countries. In this environment, many desperate people became victims of criminals (often protected by officials) who made fortunes by selling other humans for sex, begging, labour.