The Czech Republic has taken important steps to combat trafficking in human beings, but improvements are needed through legislative, policy and practical measures, notably in respect of the identification, protection and compensation of victims, as well as the effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions, says the Council of Europe´s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) in a report issued today.
The report, which evaluates the implementation of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, ratified by the Czech Republic in 2017, welcomes the adoption of relevant legislation and national strategies over the years, the setting up of co-ordinating and specialised structures, the training of relevant professionals, and the strong cooperation with civil society. Five national strategies have been implemented since 2003, the last covering the period 2016-2019.
GRETA urges the Czech authorities to ensure that the identification of victims and the provision of assistance to them are not linked to the initiation of criminal proceedings. It also calls for greater efforts in the proactive identification of victims of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, as well as of victims among asylum seekers and persons in administrative detention.
