FINLAND: 2009 ANNUAL TRAFFICKING-IN-PERSONS REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 09 HELSINKI 000060 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT. FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, PRM, EUR/NB, EUR/PGI STATE PASS AID PART 02 OF 02 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF KTIP KCRM PHUM KWMN SMIG KFRD ASEC ELAB FI SUBJECT: FINLAND: 2009 ANNUAL TRAFFICKING-IN-PERSONS REPORT REF: (A)2008 STATE 132759 (B)STATE 005577 (C) Email dtd December 15, 2008 Finland Action Guide (D) 2008 Helsinki 00563(E) 2008 Helsinki 00574 (F)Helsinki 00059 HELSINKI 00000060 001.2 OF 009 (SBU) Begin Text. The following has been keyed according to ref A. Investigation and Prosecution of Traffickers -------------- 25A, B, C: The following Finnish criminal laws specifically pertain to trafficking in human beings (both sexual and labor offenses). They entered into force on 1 August 2004 (Act No. 650/2004; Government Bill HE 34/2004). The laws cover both national (internal),Schengen-based and transnational (external) trafficking. --Chapter 25-Section 3 Penal Code 1889/39: Trafficking in Human Beings (minimum sentence: 4 months imprisonment; maximum: 6 years imprisonment; fines may also be assessed) --Chapter 25-Section 3A Penal Code 1889/39: Aggravated Trafficking in Human Beings (minimum sentence: 2 years imprisonment; maximum: 10 years imprisonment; fines may also be assessed) Trafficking in Human Beings (Legal text follows): "Under Chapter 25, Section 3, Subsection 1, of the Finnish Penal Code, anyone who by means of 1) taking advantage of the dependent position or insecurity of another person, 2) deceiving or taking advantage of the deception of another person, 3) making a payment to a person having control over another person, or 4) accepting such a payment (means) to assume control over or recruit another person, or to transfer, transport, receive or harbor another person (acts) to subject him or her to sexual abuse referred to in Chapter 20, Section 9, Subsection 1, Paragraph 1 (of the Finnish Penal Code) or comparable form of sexual abuse, forced labor, or other conditions violating the dignity of human being, or for the purpose of removal of organs or tissues, with a view to obtaining financial benefits (motives), shall be sentenced for trafficking in human beings. Under Chapter 25, Section 3, Subsection 2, of the Penal Code, anyone who, of a motive referred to in Subsection 1, assumes control over a person under the age of 18 years or recruits, transfers, transports, receives or harbors such a person shall also be sentenced for trafficking, even if none of the means referred to in paragraphs 1 to 4 of subsection 1 have been used. An attempt to commit trafficking is also punishable." Aggravated Trafficking in Human Beings (Legal text follows): "The offender is convicted of aggravated trafficking in human beings where 1) trafficking involves use of violence, a threat or fraud instead of or in addition to the means referred to in Section 3, 2) a serious bodily injury, a serious disease or a threat to life or particularly strong suffering is caused by trafficking intentionally or of gross negligence, 3) the offence is committed against a child or person under the age of 18 years, whose capability to defend oneself has essentially weakened, or 4) the offence has been committed as part of the activities of an organized criminal group referred to in Chapter 17, Section 1a, Subsection 4, of the Penal Code. It is further required for the existence of the elements of aggravated trafficking that the offense is considered aggravated on the whole. The offender is also convicted of aggravated trafficking in human beings where he or she subjects another person to slavery or keeps another person in slavery, transports slaves, or carries out trade in slaves, if the offence is considered aggravated on the whole." Finland amended the Act of the Ombudsman for Minorities (enacted on January 1, 2009) obligating the Ombudsman4s Office as the national TIP rappateur. The Ombudsman for Minorities is an authority with the basic task of advancing the status and legal protection of ethnic minorities and foreigners as well as equality, non-discrimination and good ethnic relations in Finland. HELSINKI 00000060 002.2 OF 009 The GoF may also utilize the following laws to prosecute individuals engaged in sex or labor trafficking: --Pandering: Subject to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of three years. --Aggravated Pandering: Subject to imprisonment for a minimum of four months and a maximum of six years. --Coercion into a Sexual Act: Subject to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of three years. --Arrangement of Illegal Immigration: Subject to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of two years. --Aggravated Arrangement of Illegal Immigration: Subject to imprisonment for a minimum of four months and a maximum of six years. --Aggravated Usury: Subject to imprisonment for at least four months and a maximum of four years. --Work Safety Offense: Subject to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of one year. -- Working Hours Offense: Subject to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of six months. -- Work Discrimination: Subject to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of six months. -- Violation of the Rights of an Employee Representative: Subject to a fine. -- Violation of the Right to Organize: Subject to a fine. -- Employment Agency Offense: Subject to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of one year. -- Work Permit Offense: Subject to a fine or imprisonment for a maximum of one year. Finnish law permits the use of electronic surveillance techniques by Finnish law enforcement during the investigation of TIP-related crimes. Trafficking of minors is considered an aggravated offense, and penalties for perpetrators are higher than for similar crimes involving adults. Finland is not a source country for labor migrants. 25D: Chapter 20-Section 1 of the Finnish Penal Code provides for a minimum of 1, and maximum of 6 years imprisonment for Rape. Chapter 20-Section 2 of the Finnish Penal Code provides for a minimum of 2, and maximum of 10 years imprisonment for Aggravated Rape. The laws for trafficking provide similar penalties, with the exception of Rape versus Trafficking in Human Beings, where the minimum sentence for Rape is eight months longer than a similar minimum sentence for Trafficking in Human Beings. The penal code defines aggravated rape if in the rape, grievous bodily injury, serious illness or a state of mortal danger is inflicted on another; the offence is committed by several people; or especially hard mental or physical suffering is caused; the offence is committed in a particularly brutal, cruel or humiliating manner; or a firearm, edged weapon or other lethal instrument is used or a threat of other serious violence is made, the offender shall be sentenced for aggravated rape to imprisonment for at least two years and at most ten years. As with most of the penal code, this section also punishes attempts. 25E: The GoF has actively investigated and prosecuted TIP cases during this reporting period. Finnish Police, FBG and the NBI initiated approximately 9 TIP-related investigations; one case begun during 2007 resulted in aggravated trafficking convictions and at least two cases are in appeal. Finland chose to prosecute an unusually egregious domestic case during this reporting period as trafficking because the conditions warranted (ref D). (NOTE: This was the second such trafficking conviction in Finland4s history (the first one was in 2007). End note.) Number of investigations initiated: 2007 2008 Aggravated trafficking 1 2 Trafficking 2 7 Aggravated pandering 0 0 Aggravated facilitation of illegal entry 13 8 Work discrimination resembling usury 17 45 HELSINKI 00000060 003.2 OF 009 25E - cont. During the reporting period, no known traffickers were given suspended sentences or released with only a fine. The GoF used the following laws to investigate, prosecute, convict and sentence traffickers: --Aggravated trafficking: Penal Code, Chapter 25, Section 3a (650/2004) --Trafficking: Penal Code, Chapter 25, Section 3 (650/2004) --Aggravated pandering: Penal Code, Chapter 20, Section 9a (650/2004) --Aggravated facilitation of illegal entry: Penal Code, Chapter 17, Section 8a (650/2004) --Work discrimination resembling usury: Penal Code, Chapter 36, Section 6 (769/1990) Type of trafficking offense for the 9 cases initiated in 2008: Sexual exploitation 5 Labor exploitation 3 Domestic servitude 1 25E - cont. The GoF maintained its policy of criminally investigating and prosecuting individuals (and employers) who confiscate workers' passports and travel documents, switch contracts or terms of contracts without the workers consent (where such contracts exist),use physical or sexual abuse or threat of such abuse to keep workers in a state of service, withhold payment of salaries as a means of keeping workers in a state of service. The Finnish Construction Trade Union noted that immigrants know their rights and are willing to organize, but that foreign recruitment companies (Estonia, Poland) do not meet Finnish working condition standards. While the union acknowledged that most cases are not trafficking, the pay and allowances fulfilled by the foreign recruitment companies are substandard. 25F: The GoF provides a range of TIP-related training to its personnel. Within the law enforcement community, TIP awareness training is integrated into the formal classroom training programs of the Finnish Police and Border Guards. Training occurs at the time of entry into the respective law enforcement agencies, and continuing training occurs throughout the careers of law enforcement personnel. During this reporting period, all training was provided using existing GoF resources and staff, and did not utilize the funding or resources of the USG or NGOs; however, NBI asked for and received the right to use a DHS short video, which they subsequently subtitled in Finnish and released December 2008. Additional awareness training was provided in the following venues: --March 2009 (Helsinki): Permanent formation of the Trafficking in Human Beings Intelligence Group. --Ongoing: (Helsinki): Internal police website --Ongoing: (Helsinki): Extended police college training covering (1) awareness (2) victim support and (3) investigation as part of Basic Police Studies and Commanding Officer Studies. --Ongoing (Finland): Training trainers and commanding officers of local police units responsible for aliens --Ongoing: State-owned airline Finnair continues training new flight attendants providing information as part of new employee orientation on how to identify and report potential TIP victims, particularly children and unaccompanied minors, on Finnair international flights. -- Finland hosted the 2008 OSCE Trafficking conference. 25G: The GoF actively cooperates with other governments to investigate and prosecute TIP-related crimes. They are active members of Europol and Interpol. The GoF deployed NBI and FBG liaison officers abroad, specifically to Estonia, Russia, China, France, Spain and the Netherlands. Finland participates in a law enforcement network that operates in twenty countries and will be sending a liaison to Abuja, Nigeria in 2009. Russia is specifically HELSINKI 00000060 004.2 OF 009 targeted for improved cooperation in the revised national action plan. Finnish officers abroad work on a range of immigration and law enforcement matters. One area of focus includes TIP prevention initiatives with local counterparts. The overseas Finnish law enforcement staff also work in Finnish embassies to assist in TIP victim identification and prevention at the time a potential victim's visa application is filed. Additionally, they work with national airline Finnair at their Asian stations to provide TIP-related training to Finnair's ground staff and to provide liaison support to other diplomatic missions and airlines. According to NBI, Estonia, Sweden and Russia cooperated with Finland on approximately ten cases during the reporting period. 25H: Finland will consider extradition requests from all countries for non-Finnish citizens residing in, or traveling through Finland, who are apprehended as a result of a warrant/request for extradition. The Finnish Constitution only permits Finnish citizens to be extradited to other Member States of the European Union and other Nordic Countries. During this reporting period, the GoF extradited one EU citizen for a TIP-related crime from Finland, and received two traffickers extradited from Estonia. The GoF is not currently modifying its extradition laws for TIP; officials state that current law is effective and in full compliance with the requirements of the European Union and its other international treaty obligations. US residents have not been implicated nor extradited, though during the reporting period, officials cancelled a US tourist visa held by an Indian national in an alien smuggling case. 25I, J: The GoF, at the national, local or institutional level, has never tolerated the trafficking or smuggling of humans. 25K: Prostitution is legal in Finland. The sale and purchase of sex in public is illegal throughout Finland, as are brothels and clubs permitting sex on premises. There are no "red light" districts in Finland. Pimping, pandering, and organized prostitution are illegal. Trafficked prostitution is criminalized. Buying sexual services from minors or victims of trafficking is criminalized. The laws are uniformly enforced. Finnish sex workers may accept customers in private residences, apartments and, depending upon the circumstances, in hotels. They may not solicit customers in public places. Commercial sex workers typically advertise their services via the internet, although word of mouth is common as well. Foreign prostitutes (non-Finns) will typically attempt to solicit customers via the internet, in clubs or in other discreet venues. According to Finnish law enforcement, many non-Finns come to Finland and rent apartments for short periods of time so that they may establish a base from which attract customers. The age of sexual consent in Finland is 16; the minimum age for sex workers is 18. 25L: No TIP-related cases involving Finnish troops or government personnel deployed overseas as part of a peacekeeping or other similar mission occurred. 25M: Finland is not a source or destination country for child sex tourism, and does not have an identified child sex tourism problem. According to the Finnish Ministry of Justice, if a Finn engages in child sex tourism overseas, Finland's laws provide for the extraterritorial prosecution of such acts, and would be investigated and prosecuted by Finnish law enforcement.(Note: Historically, Finland has uncovered and prosecuted one sex tourism case to the fullest extent of the law (10 years) under child pornography laws. End note.) According to NBI, during the reporting period, the GoF extradited fewer than ten foreigners on the basis of sexual abuse of a child; officials did not link these foreigners to sex tourism. Protection and Assistance to Victims -------------- 26A: The GoF provides support and protection to foreign trafficking victims. Legislation enacted in 2006 permits TIP victims to be granted a special Finnish residence permit. The aim of the Finnish permit for victims of trafficking is to help free the victims from the grip of criminals involved in trafficking in human beings and to HELSINKI 00000060 005.2 OF 009 facilitate their cooperation with the Finnish law enforcement investigative process. A residence permit issued by the GoF to a victim of trafficking in human beings does not limit the possibility of applying for asylum in Finland and/or receiving international protection. EU/EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members who fall victim to trafficking may register their right of residence or apply for a residence card at a police station; there is no requirement that they apply for a special residence permit. NBI reports that 21 persons have used the Assistance program since its inception (11 female, 10 male). As of December 2008, 12 persons were receiving help through the program. In cases of victims deemed particularly vulnerable, a continuous residence permit may be granted even if the victim does not possess a valid travel document. 26A - cont. Residence Permits, once granted, are valid for 6-12 months and the recipient has an unrestricted right to gainful employment in Finland. A victim without a national passport may be granted an alien's passport on application to the Finnish Immigration Service. The residence permit may be renewed as necessary. New fixed-term (extended) residence permits are usually granted by the police in the municipality of the victim's residence. If a victim has been granted a temporary residence permit, after two years of continuous residence they are granted a continuous (permanent) residence permit if the requirements for issuing the permit are still met. 26A - cont. The GoF does not currently have a formal witness protection program similar to the model prevalent in the US. According to NBI, if a witness or victim requires protection from traffickers or during a trial, the police can, with the permission of the victim/witness, place them in safe locations for three months at a time (which can be renewed as needed). In one instance, officials offered assistance to an Indian witness/victim in an alien smuggling case who was threatened by telephone by the smuggler. 26B: The GoF maintains a robust victims' assistance program, both for Finnish citizens and for foreign victims seeking protection in Finland. The nly difference in the treatment of victims is how he various agencies providing victims assistanceare reimbursed. This is transparent to the victim; if the victim is a resident of Finland, the local municipality covers all costs, and if they are a non-resident, the GoF pays the costs. Either way, the victim is not assessed any fees. According to current GoF operating procedures, emergency assistance will be provided as soon as a victim is found, reached or identified, irrespective of whether the victim resides in the country lawfully. In the provision of emergency assistance, the GoF is attentive to the victim's capacities and mental state and to his or her capability to understand the provided information and to make decisions. Finnish law requires that all victims be provided with translation services if required (Act on the Status and Rights of Social Welfare Clients, 812/2000, Section 5),and that the victim's individual needs and culture be taken into account in his or her care and treatment (Act on the Status and Rights of Patients, 785/1992, Section 3). 26B - cont. The Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy is charged with managing emergency victims' assistance to non-residents. Foreign nationals/non-residents who are victims of trafficking are taken to two specialized "Reception Centers" which are fully staffed by trained social welfare, immigration, labor and medical staff capable of providing assistance to TIP victims. Individuals who are under 18 years old are taken to a facility at Oulu, while those 18 and above are taken to a facility at Joutseno. Facilities provide shelter, medical and counseling services, food and clothing to victims. An individual may seek emergency services at a shelter, even if they do not file any criminal charges against a possible trafficker. Shelter staff may not refer individuals to law enforcement personnel against their will. NGOs also operate shelters and drop-in 24-hour facilities available to trafficking victims. Since several ministries fund different portions of these social services initiatives and fund the NGOs, any estimate would probably be low. Funding also extends beyond trafficking issues (into such issues as domestic violence and refugee asylum). HELSINKI 00000060 006.2 OF 009 26C: Finland is a social welfare state, and the GoF assumes responsibility for many TIP-related victims' services that are typically provided by NGOs in other countries. As a result, there are no NGOs working exclusively on providing assistance to TIP victims, and only a few that address it among other issues of concern to women. Still, the GoF provided domestic funding to NGOs that supported TIP-related programming. The Multicultural Women's Association (MONIKA),which focuses on psychological, physical, sexual and economic abuse against residents of Finland and Pro-Tukipiste are the lead organizations. The GoF funds a series of NGO-operated hotlines for TIP and domestic violence victims. The Finnish Red Cross works with the Danish Red Cross on related issues. 26D, E, F: Trafficking victims are not deported and fall under the explanations and services in section 26A, B, and C. 26F: Finnish Border Guards, Police and social services personnel are well trained in the potential identification of trafficked or suspected TIP victims at Ports of Entry and within Finland's borders. Current Border Guard and Police protocols require that suspected victims of trafficking be taken to a victim assistance reception center. The head of the respective reception center formally provides the referring agency with a confirmation of acceptance of the victim. Reception center consultants (including medical, social work, immigration and law enforcement professionals) evaluate the victim's case and decide on the course of care for the victim (e.g. transportation to a safe house in instances of immediate danger). There have been approximately nine potential TIP victims who have utilized Finnish Reception Centers during the reporting period. Finnish law enforcement and social services agencies do not track the number of potential TIP victims referred to Reception Centers; they merely track the total number of TIP victims who have sought services from the centers. 26G: Officials identified nine victims during the reporting period. Thirteen victims were referred to care facilities; this number includes "suspected" victims and NGO referrals not processed by police. The threshold for assistance is lower than the threshold for prosecution. 26H: GoF law enforcement personnel have been trained to screen for, and identify, suspected victims of trafficking in Finland's commercial sex trade. The Border Guard and Finnish police use a series of written TIP guidelines developed by the Finnish Immigration Service (FIS). The document includes key TIP victim identification questions which are to be used during interviews with foreign nationals who have been encountered by police involving sex or labor related crimes. The document also provides a list of mandatory protocols to be used by law enforcement personnel aimed at protecting a potential victim's rights, and ensuring that they are quickly referred to relevant immigration and social welfare specialists for further review of their cases. According to current GoF protocols, as soon as Finnish Police suspect that a victim may have been trafficked, they must immediately turn the potential TIP victim over to the FIS for placement in a TIP Reception Center. Additionally, the Border Guards and Finnish Police are required to refer all potential TIP victims, whether at a Port of Entry or within Finland, who claim credible fear and make a request for asylum, to the FIS for expedited review of their claim and access to GoF social services. 26I: The GoF does not treat TIP victims as criminals; it actively seeks to protect them and their legal rights. The GoF also provides trafficking victims with access to the Finnish Service for Crime Victims, which provides personal support and legal advice for those who find themselves victims of a crime. Additionally, under the Finnish Act on Compensation for Crime Damage, victims can receive compensation from the perpetrator of a crime for personal injuries (including for costs of medical treatment),pain and suffering, a permanent handicap or mental anguish. In the event that a perpetrator is unable to pay for damages, a crime has remained unsolved, or if the perpetrator has not been apprehended, compensation can be obtained directly from the GoF by a victim without the need for a formal court decision. HELSINKI 00000060 007.2 OF 009 26J: The GoF strongly encourages all victims of crime, whether trafficking or otherwise, to assist the police and prosecutors in prosecuting crimes. The GoF does not impede victims of trafficking from filing civil suits or from seeking legal action against traffickers, but civil courts suits of that type are generally uncommon in Finland compared to the US. The Kotka case (Ref D) is an example of victim restitution. 26K: The GoF provides TIP-related training for its Border Guards, police, diplomatic personnel assigned overseas, public health workers, immigration adjudication staff and flight attendants for national flag carrier Finnair. Border Guards are provided with ongoing training on ways in which to identify trafficked persons at Ports of Entry (e.g. they have specific lists of vetted questions for unaccompanied minors transiting Finland). Finnish police are trained in the identification of potentially trafficked persons when they are conducting a law enforcement interview regarding individuals suspected of prostitution and pandering. Labor Ministry officials are trained at identifying potential instances of labor trafficking or servitude when conducting site and licensing inspections at restaurants and factories. Finnair flight attendants are trained to identify unaccompanied minors on international flights who fit the profile of possible victims. Such training also focuses on the identification and needs of potentially trafficked children. The revised national action plan adds teacher training, specifically focused on the trafficking phenomena and children. 26K - cont. The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) provides comprehensive immigration training for personnel working or destined to work at Finnish embassies and consulates. This training always includes a TIP section which is provided by experts on trafficking issues; usually experts from the MFA and/or the National Bureau of Investigation. Training courses are organized by the MFA twice a year and they include, inter alia, specific training on the identification of trafficking victims. The MFA is closely cooperating with both national and international NGOs and other civil society actors on trafficking issues. Within the context of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) Task Force for Trafficking in Human Beings, Finland has also been initiating educational programs on trafficking issues for diplomatic staff in the CBSS states. 26K - cont. According to the Finnish MFA, Finnish embassies always follow the human rights situation of the country concerned, including the situation of trafficking. They have close contacts with local actors including NGOs working with human rights issues. Overseas, many Finnish embassies have used their operating funds to further their cooperation with local NGOs for projects related to human rights, including the prevention of trafficking and sexual exploitation of, and providing assistance to, trafficking victims. These funds are granted to, and managed by local NGO. The Finnish MFA does not maintain records on the number of trafficking victims supported by its missions overseas. During this period, the MFA did not issue trafficking-specific travel documents to potential victims of trafficking identified overseas. 26L: The GoF maintains a robust victim's assistance program for Finnish citizens, including for citizens of Finland who may be repatriated to Finland as a result of their being a victim of trafficking. During this reporting period, no Finns were repatriated to Finland as a result of their victimization as a trafficked person. 26M: Major Finnish NGOs addressing trafficking (in addition to other issues) in Finland include: Pro-Tukipiste (heading a network of 30 NGOs),MonikaNaiset,and the Finnish Red Cross. IOM also conducts monitoring of TIP-related policies and programs in Finland. Several of these NGOS operate shelters that provide direct or indirect assistance and counseling to TIP victims. Pro-Tukipiste operates a phone hotline. Prevention -------------- HELSINKI 00000060 008.2 OF 009 27A: The GoF targeted prostitution, massage and sex-work for interviews and distribution of pamphlets in source country languages to ensure that workers knew their rights and were aware of what constituted trafficking. DuriQ this reporting period, GoF began using a short video obtained from DHS to educate the public about trafficking via the internet and television; they have requested that the video be shown by Finnair on flights and the outcome is pending. NBI also produced a video for police training purposes. Some cable television programming comes from neighboring Nordic countries so additional anti-prostitution public service announcements reach a Finnish audience. The MFA again distributed brochures at the "Matka" travel show, attended by over 80,000 Finns, warning that sex tourism is a crime, and highlighting the damage such crimes cause to children. 27B: The GoF effectively monitored immigration and emigration patterns for evidence of trafficking. The lead agency for the detection of potential TIP victims at Finland's Ports of Entry is the Finnish Border Guards. All new Border Guards receive classroom TIP training prior to deployment to the field. 27C: The GoF has actively involved as many stakeholders, including NGOs, as possible in the TIP policy discussion. The 2008 Revised National Plan of Action against Trafficking in Human Beings included the active participation of a number of NGOs and civic organizations. The MOI and NBI have identified senior representatives who are charged with maintaining effective TIP related liaison with NGOs. Such liaison attempts to identify potential trends in trafficking in Finland, the identification of specific cases for investigation, and to seek feedback on the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts in the fight against TIP. 27D: In 2008 the GoF revised its National Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings, which originally established a GoF "Steering Committee" in 2005 charged with coordinating the implementation of the Action Plan. The committee meets frequently at the policy level. Day-to-day law enforcement coordination on TIP investigations and enforcement activities falls to the National Joint Intelligence Center. The Ministry of the Interior (MoI) is the lead Ministry on TIP issues, given that the MoI includes the Finnish Immigration Service, National Bureau of Intelligence, Police and Border Guards. The NBI (and to a lesser extent, the Border Guards) coordinate multilateral TIP law enforcement cooperation and investigations with third countries and organizations for the GoF. The Revised National Action Plan was developed by representatives of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, the Border Guard and the National Bureau of Investigation. NGOs were involved in reviewing and providing input to the revision. 27E: During this period, the GoF and police have continued to aggressively enforce prostitution related laws, such as pandering and aggravated pandering, as a means of countering the potential for organized prostitution in Finland. Finnish laws are not geared towards punishing the nation's commercial sex workers, but rather those who seek to purchase or procure commercial sexual. The purchase of sexual services from trafficked persons is fully criminalized. A new NGO, called EXIT, is in the formative phase and will assist commercial sex workers wanting to move out of sex work. 27F: The Finnish MFA continues to actively publicize the fact that sex tourism is a crime in Finland by, for example, distributing such information at travel fairs. Finns are subject to Finnish law at home or abroad. 27G: Finnish troops assigned to overseas peacekeeping missions receive intensive anti-TIP training at the Ministry of Defense's (MOD) International Center. Military legal advisors and medical personnel provide classroom instruction, video presentations and practical exercises, all aimed at providing deployed forces with the ability to identify potential TIP victims. At the command level, training in the field and pre-departure Key Leader Training sessions focus on TIP recognition and prevention. Pre-deployment training HELSINKI 00000060 009.2 OF 009 for military legal advisors, military police and MoD social workers also address TIP issues. Finland, although not a member of NATO, has acknowledged the NATO Policy on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, which sets a zero tolerance concerning trafficking for NATO staff and forces under NATO command, including non-NATO troop contributing nations taking part in NATO-led operations. Nomination of Heroes and Best Practices -------------- 28: We have no nomination for this year. Finnish TIP Best Practices -------------- 29: Early interdiction activities represents a valuable Finnish TIP best practice. The training that Finland invested in police, immigration authorities and airline employees resulted in several alien smuggling early interdictions this year with potential victims totaling over 300 people across all cases. (largest Nigeria 200; India over 100). Since no one can know the full intent of the smugglers, early interdiction provides the best victim protection. 29 - contd. Continued Use of Joint Intelligence Centers represents another Finnish best practice. Under the Ministry of Interior, Finnish law enforcement created a national-level Joint Intelligence Center (JIC) in Helsinki, which includes full-time representatives of the police, National Bureau of Investigation, Customs and the Border Guards. The national center will become permanent March 1, ¶2009. BUTLER