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Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. Referring to its earlier comments, the Committee has noted with interest the information provided by the Government concerning measures taken to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation. It has noted, in particular, the adoption of the Federal Act No. 162-FZ, of 8 December 2003, which introduced amendments to the Criminal Code (insertion of the new sections 127.1 (trafficking in human beings) and 127.2 (exploitation of slave labour)), which define crimes related to trafficking and slave-like practices and provide for severe sanctions of imprisonment. It has also noted the information on the implementation in the Russian Federation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Plan of Action to combat trafficking in persons, of the European Union project “Prevention of human trafficking in the Russian Federation” conducted in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the programme of cooperation between Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) on combating human trafficking for 2007–2010, as well as the information on bilateral cooperation with neighbouring countries in this field. The Committee has noted statistical information concerning persecution of the offences of human trafficking under section 127.1 of the Criminal Code, as well as the information on the court decisions and other information on the law enforcement provided in the report.

As regards the elaboration of a draft Law on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings which should provide for a system of bodies to combat trafficking and contain provisions concerning prevention of trafficking, as well as protection and rehabilitation of victims, to which the Government referred in its previous report, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the draft text has been finalized and submitted to the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

The Committee would appreciate it if the Government would continue to provide information on the application in practice of section 127.1 of the Criminal Code, supplying sample copies of the relevant court decisions and indicating the penalties imposed on perpetrators, as well as information on the practical measures taken or envisaged to combat trafficking in human beings with a view to eliminating it. Please also keep the ILO informed on progress in the adoption of the draft Law on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and provide a copy thereof, once it has been adopted.