The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) has published today its first evaluation report on Ukraine.
In its report, GRETA welcomes the steps taken by Ukraine to develop the legal and institutional framework for combating trafficking in human beings, including the adoption of a comprehensive anti-trafficking law, national anti-trafficking programmes and a formal procedure for the identification and referral to assistance of victims of trafficking. The Ukrainian authorities have also set up anti-trafficking co-ordination structures at central and local level and specialised police units.
However, a number of challenges remain to be tackled through legislative, policy or practical measures. GRETA notes that additional measures should be taken to raise public awareness about human trafficking and address the root causes of trafficking. The report also draws attention to the need to address emerging trends, such as the increase in trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, internal trafficking and trafficking of foreign nationals to Ukraine. GRETA is deeply concerned by the negative consequences of the current crisis in Ukraine on anti-trafficking activities and the growing number of internally displaced persons, including women, children and persons with disabilities, who represent a group vulnerable to human trafficking.
Despite the introduction of a procedure for the identification of victims of trafficking in 2012, the number of people granted victim status by the Ministry of Social Policy is low and GRETA is concerned that the procedure relies on victims themselves applying for identification. Efforts to proactively identify victims of trafficking need to be significantly increased. GRETA stresses that securing adequate public funding for victim assistance and protection measures is indispensable for the sustainability of the victim assistance system. Additional measures are also needed to ensure that victims of trafficking have effective access to compensation, including through the setting up of a State compensation scheme.
Further, GRETA calls on the Ukrainian authorities to provide in law for a recovery and reflection period for victims of trafficking and to ensure that they can benefit from the right to obtain a renewable residence permit. Moreover, GRETA urges the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that human trafficking offences are effectively investigated and prosecuted through developing the training and specialisation of investigators, judges and prosecutors, and making full use of the measures available for protecting victims and witnesses.
Prior to drawing up its evaluation report, GRETA held consultations with the relevant authorities and non-governmental and international organisations active in the field of combating trafficking in human beings in Ukraine. A confidential first draft of the report was sent to the Ukrainian authorities and their comments were taken into account in the final evaluation report adopted by GRETA. This report is published together with the final comments of the Ukrainian authorities, as provided for by the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. On the basis of GRETA’s report, the Committee of the Parties to the Convention will consider adopting recommendations addressed to the Government of Ukraine.
Contact: Jeremy Moakes, Media Relations Division
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