Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Macau is a transit and destination territory for
women trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation;
most females in Macau's sizeable sex industry come from the interior
regions of China or Mongolia, though a significant number also come
from Russia, Eastern Europe, Thailand, and Vietnam; the majority of
women in Macau's prostitution trade appear to have entered Macau and
the sex trade voluntarily, though there is evidence that some are
deceived or coerced into sexual servitude, often through the use of
debt bondage; organized criminal syndicates are reportedly involved
in bringing women to Macau, and fear of reprisals from these groups
may prevent some women from seeking help
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Macau is placed on the Tier 2 Watch
List for failing to show evidence of increasing efforts to address
trafficking since 2004
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Macedonia
Introduction Macedonia
Background:
Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in
1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it
considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international
recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of the
"Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a
20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize
relations, although differences over Macedonia's name remain. The
undetermined status of neighboring Kosovo, implementation of the
Framework Agreement - which ended the 2001 ethnic Albanian armed
insurgency - and a weak economy continue to be challenges for
Macedonia.
Geography Macedonia
Location:
Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates:
41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references:
Europe