Officially, this is presented as a fight against the sale of Belarusian citizens to slave traders, although the problem of slave trade is not acute for Belarus. In 2004, according to the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs, only 13 cases of human trafficking and 68 cases of recruitment of women for sexual exploitation (with their knowledge) were identified. But Lukashenko pays special attention to this problem.
As early as mid-November 2004, he ordered the regulatory framework to be adjusted for those who prefer to work abroad, and to increase the responsibility of firms that send citizens there. The president was particularly outraged by the numerous departures abroad of beauties, of whom "there are plenty in the country, and there is enough work for them." In this regard, the draft decree "On Certain Measures to Counter Trafficking in Persons" was developed.
According to the draft document, any activity related to employment abroad is subject to licensing. Mandatory preliminary checks of both Belarusian employment firms and foreign employers will make it possible to curb the creation of a fertile ground for human trafficking. This function will be assumed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Information about those who have not returned from foreign trips must be immediately provided to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
According to the president, a potential source of slave trade is sending young people abroad to study. Currently, students can study abroad only with the permission of the university rector, and after the decree is adopted, a written permission from the Ministry of Education will be required to travel abroad. The same ministry will license all modeling agencies.
Earlier it was reported that the state intends to take control of the adoption of Belarusian children by foreign citizens. By Lukashenko's decision, since November 1, 2004, foreigners can adopt a Belarusian child only with the permission of the Minister of Education.
In addition, the Belarusian president stated that it is necessary to restrict the departure of Belarusian children abroad – so that children do not become imbued with consumerist attitudes alien to the Belarusian mentality. Lukashenko even said that the Ministry of Health should more carefully control trips of Belarusian children abroad for health improvement, and every decision on a child's treatment abroad must be personally approved by the Minister of Education.
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