Russia: Trafficking of women - Amnesty International UK supports release of new feature film, Lilya 4-Ever

The film, opening in cinemas in the UK on 25 April, is by acclaimed Swedish director Lukas Moodysson, and deals with the issue of women being trafficked from former Soviet Union countries to the West. Recent reports indicate that 1,400 women a year are trafficked into Britain alone, with women often then forced into prostitution.

Amnesty International, which is currently calling on the Russian authorities to tackle the trafficking of women, is helping to promote the film as part of its work to end violence against women.

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:

"Amnesty International is proud to be associated with this important film.

"Our ongoing efforts to raise human rights issues in Russia and to campaign for women's rights are enhanced by this compelling drama."

Amnesty International's first-ever campaign on Russia aims to combat human rights violations across the country, including pushing for a strategy to tackle the trafficking of women - a practice believed to affect tens of thousands of women from Russia a year. Very few traffickers are ever brought to justice for these crimes.

In addition, Amnesty International is highlighting the fact that women routinely suffer ill-treatment in detention in Russia and that there are credible current reports of Russian soldiers committing serious acts of violence against women in Chechnya. Russian statistics also reveal that at the domestic level 14,000 women die a year at the hands of partners and former partners.

The human rights organisation's 14-month-long programme of work on Russia also includes exposing torture in police stations, life-threatening prison conditions, racist violence against minority groups, and abduction, "disappearance" and torture - including rape - in Chechnya.

Note: Lilya 4-Everopens at the following cinemas on 25 April 2003: Curzon Soho, Barbican, Clapham Picturehouse, Rio Dalston, Gate Notting Hill, Phoenix East Finchley, Duke of York's Picturehouse Brighton, Phoenix Picturehouse Oxford, Arts Picturehouse Cambridge, Glasgow Film Theatre, Cameo Edinburgh, Irish Film Centre

It will also be showing at the following cinemas from 5 May 2003: Showroom Sheffield, Cornerhouse Manchester, Watershed Bristol, Tyneside Cinema Newcastle.

An interview with the director, Lukas Moodysson, is available to read online.

Further information about Amnesty International's current campaign on the Russian Federation can be found online.