UN targets Bosnian vice rings

Hundreds of women have been rescued

By Alix Kroeger in Sarajevo

The United Nations mission to Bosnia-Hercegovina has announced new measures to combat the trafficking of women into forced prostitution.

One of the biggest problems is police corruption

In the past 18 months, more than 300 women have been repatriated to their home countries after being rescued from forced prostitution in Bosnia.

A recent report by the US State Department listed Bosnia as one of about 20 countries which were not doing enough to fight human trafficking.

Bosnia-Hercegovina is one of the biggest destination countries in Europe for women sold into prostitution.

But human rights officials working with the UN acknowledge that routine raids on suspected brothels are not doing enough.

Many prostitutes in Bosnia have been smuggled from Russia

They have now set up a network of dedicated teams across Bosnia, involving both local and international police.

A second shelter for the victims of trafficking has now opened in Sarajevo.

One of the biggest problems is police corruption.

Salaries are low - when they are paid at all - increasing the temptation for individual officers to accept bribes from brothel owners.

The new UN initiative will also monitor the work of local police.

Any officers found guilty of improper conduct could be banned for life from the police force.

There have been persistent reports that the UN has covered up the involvement of its international police taskforce either in trafficking or in protection rackets.

The UN denies the allegations, pointing out that in cases where officers have been found to be involved in human trafficking they have been stripped of their mandates and sent home.

It says any evidence of improper conduct will be investigated and, if necessary, appropriate measures will be taken.