Greece arrests and deports women smuggled into the country for forced prostitution, while the traffickers go unpunished, the US-based Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
"Trafficking victims in Greece are treated like criminals. Meanwhile, the real criminals are going free," Elizabeth Andersen, executive director of HRW's Europe and Central Asia Division said in the statement.
"The Greek government's response to this issue punishes the wrong people," she added.
In a 41-page memorandum, HRW said trafficking victims in Greece "are often apprehended by the police, detained, and deported without getting justice for the abuses they suffered while traffickers and their accomplices are rarely held accountable."
It called on Athens to accelerate plans to combat human trafficking.
"In May, the Greek government established a working group to develop a national action plan on trafficking ... required to complete its work in one year," HRW said.
"The Greek government has done so little to combat trafficking that urgent measures are required now," said Andersen. "Trafficking victims cannot wait another year for justice."
The US State Department, in a report released earlier this month, gave Greece the lowest rating possible along with Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Turkey for failing to combat trafficking -- WASHINGTON (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
