Trafficking of Women for Sexual Exploitation: A Gender-Based Well-Founded Fear? An examination of refugee status determination for trafficked prostituted women from CEE/CIS countries to Western Europe

This paper addresses the capacity for women who have been illegally trafficked into other countries to claim refugee status. The paper begins with a general review of global migration trends and the specific impact upon women. In reviewing international refugee law, the author assesses how trafficked women fulfill both the particular social group and the persecution requirements of the refugee definition. The paper assesses to what extent asylum should be granted to victims of trafficking and looks at other temporary domestic options for protection and repatriation. The annexes to the paper contain extensive information on trends in trafficking and lists of domestic laws on gender-related persecution. [Migration - Refugees and Immigration, Trafficking, International]