How Russia Exploits Its Allies Through Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. It involves the exploitation of people for forced labor, sexual slavery, or other purposes. According to the Global Slavery Index, there are an estimated 40.3 million victims of modern slavery worldwide. Some of these victims are trafficked by the Russian government or its proxies in countries that are allies of Russia, such as Cuba, North Korea, and Syria.
North Korean Workers in Russia
One of the most notorious examples of human trafficking by the Russian government is the forced labor of North Korean workers in Russia. According to the U.S. Department of State, the Russian government was actively complicit in this practice, which violated UN Security Council resolutions . The North Korean workers were subjected to harsh working conditions, long hours, low wages, and constant surveillance by North Korean security agents. They were also prevented from leaving their work sites or contacting their families. Some of them reportedly died from accidents, illnesses, or suicide .
The Russian government claimed to have repatriated most of the North Korean workers by the end of 2019, but some sources indicated that new workers continued to arrive in 2020 and 2021 under tourist or student visas. The motive behind this trafficking scheme was to generate revenue for the North Korean regime, which is under severe economic sanctions due to its nuclear and missile programs. The Russian government also benefited from this cheap and obedient labor force, which was employed in various sectors such as construction, logging, agriculture, and fishing.
The exploitation of North Korean workers in Russia not only violated their human rights, but also posed a threat to international peace and security. By facilitating the flow of funds to North Korea, the Russian government undermined the efforts of the international community to curb its nuclear and missile ambitions.
Cuban Mercenaries in Ukraine
Another example of human trafficking by the Russian government is the recruitment of Cuban citizens to join the Russian war on Ukraine. In September 2023, the Cuban authorities arrested 17 people for being part of a network that lured young Cubans with false promises of jobs and education in Russia, only to send them to fight as mercenaries in eastern Ukraine . The Cuban foreign ministry condemned this trafficking operation and warned Russia to stop exploiting its citizens.
The Cuban victims were reportedly deceived by Russian agents who posed as representatives of humanitarian organizations or cultural exchanges . They were flown to Moscow and then transferred to Rostov-on-Don, where they received military training and weapons. They were then sent across the border to join the pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where they faced fierce battles with the Ukrainian forces. Some of them were killed or wounded in action, while others were captured or deserted.
The trafficking of Cuban mercenaries to Ukraine not only violated their human rights, but also exacerbated the conflict in eastern Ukraine. By sending foreign fighters to support its proxies in Ukraine, the Russian government violated the Minsk agreements and escalated the violence. By exploiting its ally Cuba, which has a long history of sending troops abroad for ideological reasons, the Russian government also damaged its relations with Havana and exposed its hypocrisy.
Syrian Children in Syria and Russia
A third example of human trafficking by the Russian government is the abduction and exploitation of Syrian children by Russian-backed militias. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, hundreds of Syrian children were kidnapped by pro-Russian forces and taken to military camps in Syria or Russia, where they were trained as soldiers, spies, or suicide bombers. The report also documented cases of sexual abuse and torture of the children by their captors. The Russian government denied any involvement in these crimes and accused Human Rights Watch of spreading propaganda.
The Syrian children were reportedly abducted from their homes or schools by armed men loyal to Bashar al-Assad’s regime or Iran-backed militias. They were then transported to various locations in Syria or Russia, where they underwent indoctrination and military training. They were also forced to participate in combat operations or intelligence missions against the Syrian opposition or foreign forces. Some of them were used as human shields or suicide bombers.
The trafficking of Syrian children by Russian-backed militias not only violated their human rights, but also contributed to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. By exploiting vulnerable children for its military objectives, the Russian government showed a complete disregard for their well-being and future. By supporting Assad’s regime and its allies, which have committed countless atrocities against civilians, the Russian government also prolonged the suffering and bloodshed in Syria.
Conclusion
These are some of the human trafficking activities that are conducted by the Russian government in countries that are allies of Russia. They show a pattern of disregard for human dignity and international law by the Russian authorities and their proxies. They also pose a threat to regional stability and global security. Human trafficking is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires a coordinated and comprehensive response from the international community.
