OSCE report praises Romania government for keeping human trafficking on the agenda

The Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, in a report published on 14 August 2014, lauded the Romanian Government for keeping the fight against human trafficking high on its political agenda.

Romania has created dedicated police units to combat trafficking across the country, allowing the country to achieve a high number of prosecutions and convictions, and setting a benchmark for other countries in the region. In 2012, 667 people were prosecuted for trafficking offenses, resulting in 427 convictions.

The report, which is based on the findings of an official Country Visit to Romania from 9-12 September 2013, also praises the country for its well-developed international law enforcement co-operation, which has helped it to steadily increase the number of convictions since 2009.

Traditionally a country of origin, Romania is also becoming a transit and destination country with a reported increase in internal trafficking. Although trafficking for sexual exploitation remains the main form of exploitation, statistics have shown a growing number of children being trafficked for the purpose of forced and organized begging. Children in state care institutions and street children are among the most vulnerable.

The report stressed that legislation concerning victims’ rights should be implemented in an effective way in co-operation with NGOs, particularly with regards to information and free legal counselling, and the right to obtain compensation.

The report is available online here.