OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking to visit Bulgaria, to analyse anti-trafficking response and increase effectiveness
SOFIA, 18 June 2021 – OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Valiant Richey, will visit Bulgaria from 22 to 24 June. The visit is organized in co-operation with Bulgarian authorities, with a focus on the response to trafficking, relevant recommendations and exchange of good practices.
Bulgaria remains one of the primary source countries for human trafficking in the EU. The main countries of destination for Bulgarian victims of trafficking are Greece, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Switzerland.
During the visit, attention will be devoted to trafficking within ethnic minorities and other vulnerable populations, including unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers and migrants passing through the territory of Bulgaria, as gaps persist in the identification of foreign victims of trafficking.
Special Representative Richey will analyze anti-trafficking efforts comprehensively. Richey will devote attention to the increased use of the internet and social networks by traffickers and will share his Office’s recommendations to tackle this growing problem. He will also discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anti-trafficking response in Bulgaria.
Country visits by the Special Representative provide a unique opportunity to consider the main challenges in a country and to provide recommendations, as well as to learn about promising practices to share with other governments.
A press briefing, with Special Representative Richey and Boyko Rashkov, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Chairperson of NCCTHB, where the findings will be presented, will take place on 24 June, 09:30, at the NCCTB, meeting room 52A, G. M. Dimitrov Blvd. Please confirm your participation by 21 June on +359 2 807 80 50 or via e-mail: office@antitraffic.government.bg.
For additional information please contact Dobromir Petrov, Senior Expert, NCCTHB on +359 884 49 15 10; e-mail: d.petrov@antitraffic.government.bg or Ernesta Rousseva, Senior Expert, NCCTHB on + 359 885 532 319; e-mail: e.rousseva@antitraffic.government.bg