EMN Sweden - A national report on trafficking in human beings underway

This national report provides an overview of Sweden’s policy aimed at combatting trafficking in human beings. The study covers the period 2021–2023,and some developments in 2024. Thailand and Ukraine are the main targeted third countries for Swedish efforts. Furthermore, Sweden is actively involved in and/or funds various activities within the framework of international cooperation and UN agencies. The government appointed a number of inquiries concerning the identification of potential victims of trafficking in human beings. The Swedish Gender Equality Agency has been responsible for a number of information campaigns, such as the “Before you go” campaign from 2023.

Background

This national report constitutes Sweden’s contribution to the EMN study “Trafficking in Human Beings – the International Dimension”. Contributions have been compiled from the Government Offices of Sweden (Ministry of Justice, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Employment), the Swedish Gender Equality Agency and the Swedish Police Authority. The study covers the period 2021–2023, and includes some developments in 2024. It also provides an overview of EU policy measures that have contributed to the fight against trafficking in human beings.

During the study period, Thailand (seasonal workers, prostitution, people in transit to and in Sweden) and Ukraine (displaced persons, beneficiaries of temporary protection, people in transit to and in Sweden) have emerged as the main targeted third countries for Swedish efforts. Relevant authorities, such as the Swedish Police Authority, the Swedish Migration Agency, the Swedish Gender Equality Agency and the Swedish Work Environment Authority, have carried out targeted efforts to prevent and detect trafficking in human beings and protect victims.

Bilateral cooperation

Sweden’s policy aimed at combatting trafficking in human beings consists of several different measures. Its thematic priorities are in line with those of the EU. Sweden’s bilateral cooperation with authorities in Thailand has intensified in the wake of a large number of cases of human trafficking for labour purposes detected among seasonal workers in Sweden. Sweden is also actively involved in and/or funds various activities carried out by UN agencies. Since 2021, Sweden has entered into bilateral agreements with Brazil, Colombia and Tunisia to combat serious crimes, including trafficking in human beings.

Measures to combat trafficking in human beings

Measures aimed at combatting human trafficking are integrated into policy areas that possess an international dimension (development cooperation, foreign policy).

• Reform agenda. In 2023, the Government presented a reform agenda for development aid, “Development assistance for a new era – freedom, empowerment and sustainable growth”, which includes measures against trafficking in human beings.
• New action plan for 2024–2026. The Government launched a new action plan containing measures to combat trafficking in human beings.
• National strategy against work-related crime, launched 2022. The Government’s strategy emphasises that trafficking in human beings and labour exploitation are among the most serious forms of work-related crime, often involving foreign victims and occurring across borders.
• Strategy for Sweden’s regional development cooperation with the Middle East and North Africa 2024. Within the strategy adopted by the Government, one of the objectives regarding migration are: “Enhanced capacity to manage migration, focusing on counteracting irregular migration, strengthening asylum management and combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking.”

Sweden and international cooperation

At an international level, Sweden has worked with other EU countries, as well as in close cooperation with international actors, especially with focus on combatting demand for trafficking in human beings with the purpose of labour exploitation.

• Within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers. Sweden has participated in the Nordic Working Group on Human Trafficking, established in 2022.
• Within the framework of UN agencies and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). In 2023, Sweden, together with France, continued to work closely with relevant international actors.
• Within the framework of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). During the period 2021–2023, the Swedish Gender Equality Agency allocated approximately SEK 12 196 000 to the Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme for Trafficking in Human Beings and Prostitution (ÅMP), which is administered by the IOM Helsinki office. This programme aims to strengthen conditions for victims of trafficking and exploitation to escape and reduce the risk of re-exploitation in their countries of origin. In addition, Sweden participated in the IOM five-year project Corporate Responsibility in Eliminating Slavery and Trafficking in Asia (the CREST Project), which aims at improving conditions for migrant workers in Asia.
• Within the framework of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). Sweden played a decisive role in the development of the Council’s international cooperation, the relaunch of its handbook for embassies and diplomatic missions, and the ongoing work on its investigation protocol.
• Within the framework of the Eastern Partnership. Sweden participated in several operational action plans under the European European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT). One of these concerns trafficking in human beings, with its focus on Ukraine.

Government inquiries concerning trafficking in human beings

The Government established a number of inquiries with the aim of presenting proposals on how to identify potential victims of trafficking in human beings.

• Out of Vulnerability (in Sweidsh: 'Ut ur utsatthet'). Report by the Inquiry on Exit Programmes for Individuals Vulnerable to Prostitution (SOU 2023:97). The inquiry’s proposals include programmes using various components relating to adults and children, and aim to strengthen identification, protection, support and care measures for individuals vulnerable to trafficking and/or sexual exploitation.
• Sexual exploitation for pornographic purposes – vulnerability to violence that must be made visible (in Swedish: 'Sexuellt utnyttjande i pornografiska syften - våldsutsatthet som behöver synliggöras'). Report by the Inquiry on protection, support and care for people who have been subjected to abuse in the production or distribution of pornography (SOU 2023:98). The inquiry’s proposals concern people who have been sexually exploited for pornographic purposes.

Information campaigns with an international dimension, aimed at preventing trafficking in human beings

The Swedish Gender Equality Agency has been responsible for a number of information campaigns with an international dimension, aimed at preventing trafficking in human beings. These campaigns have often focused on vulnerable, third-country nationals, who are in Sweden, in transit, or in their countries of origin.

Labour migrants coming to Sweden are rarely aware of their rights, which means they may become vulnerable to exploitation. Some of the Swedish Gender Equality Agency’s preventive information campaigns have reached a large number of recipients, for example the 'Before you go' campaign from 2023. The campaign aims at providing information and supporting migrant workers before their departure for Sweden. Information is available in Ukrainian, English and a number of other EU languages.