site.btaGovernment Adopts National Programme for Human Trafficking Prevention and Countering for 2024

By a decision of the Council of Ministers, a National Programme for Prevention and Counteraction of Trafficking in Human Beings and Protection of Victims for 2024 was adopted.

The National Programme for 2024 has been prepared by the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (NCCTHB) at the Council of Ministers, with the expert support of the Standing Working Group to the Commission. The program was approved by the NCCTHB at its meeting on February 2, 2024, in fulfillment of its obligation under Art. 7, item 3 of the Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Act (promulgated in the State Gazette, issue 46 of 20 May 2003) and in response to the need to take clear and firm measures for effective implementation of the legislation in the field of combating trafficking in human beings.

The document sets out activities on the prevention of trafficking in human beings for the purpose of labor exploitation, sexual exploitation and with a focus on the new trends of crime. The activities are aimed at specific vulnerable groups and are carried out in strategic partnership with various institutions and organizations. Taking into account the local specifics, they contribute to increasing the sensitivity of society to the phenomenon and ways to limit it.

The National Programme for 2024 focuses on improving the expertise of magistrates, prosecutors, investigators, diplomats, social workers, etc.

The program sets a priority role for activities related to the protection and support of victims of trafficking in human beings. Particular importance is attached to the close coordination between all institutions and organizations for the implementation of the commitments under the National Referral and Assistance Mechanism for Victims of Trafficking.

In view of the role of the National Commission as National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, international cooperation, data collection and analysis are also part of the planned activities for 2024.