site.btaCoE: Bulgaria Has Achieved Progress Against Human Trafficking, Some Areas Require Improvement

CoE: Bulgaria Has Achieved Progress Against Human Trafficking, Some Areas Require Improvement

Strasbourg/Sofia, January 28 (BTA) - The Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published Thursday its second evaluation report on Bulgaria. The report assesses developments since the publication of GRETAТs first evaluation report in December 2011 as regards the implementation of the Council of Europe's Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, the organization said.

According to the report, progress had been made in some areas, such as the legal framework for combating trafficking in human beings, training and awareness-raising with a view to preventing trafficking. GRETA also welcomes the efforts made in the area of international co-operation, both when it comes to the investigation of trafficking cases and participation in projects.

However, there are a number of areas which require improvement, according to the report. GRETA calls on Bulgaria to improve the identification of victims of trafficking, by ensuring that the National Referral Mechanism is effectively implemented and increasing efforts to proactively identify victims for the purpose of labour exploitation. GRETA notes the efforts to prevent trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, including through involving the private sector, but considers that these efforts should be intensified, for example by expanding the mandate of labour inspectors and strengthening the monitoring of recruitment and temporary work agencies.

The report makes a number of recommendations aimed at improving the identification and assistance of child victims, including through reviewing the application of the guardianship system. GRETA notes that the on-going reform of the juvenile justice system, with its focus on childrenТs rights and early intervention, should lead to improved prevention, identification and assistance of child victims of trafficking.

GRETA expresses concern about the significant number of criminal proceedings which end with a settlement between the prosecution and the perpetrator and asks Bulgaria to ensure that human trafficking cases lead to effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions.

More generally, GRETA urges the Bulgarian authorities to take steps to improve the co-ordination of anti-trafficking action and to allocate appropriate funds for such action, including by providing adequate funding for the activities of the local commissions for combating human trafficking.