Human rights activists condemned Eastern European authorities for doing too little to crack down on widespread corruption that makes the trafficking of women possible, Associated Press reported. Activists released a joint statement calling for reform, and singled out Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine as being among the worst offenders. Authorities in the three countries have reportedly extorted bribes from people who tried to report cases of human trafficking - and are often themselves involved, AP writes. "Police are often in collusion with criminal traffickers, for example in forcing women back to brothels from which they have escaped, receiving sexual favors and bribes in return," the statement said.
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