In its latest report on the Slovak Republic, the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) acknowledges progress in combatting trafficking in human beings but urges the authorities to prevent trafficking of vulnerable children, including Roma children and children in residential care, to identify victims of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, and to effectively punish the offenders.
The report, covering the period 2020-2024, evaluates the measures taken by the Slovak Republic to prevent vulnerabilities to trafficking in human beings, detect and support vulnerable victims and punish the offenders, paying particular attention to the use of information and communication technologies to commit human trafficking offences.
The Slovak Republic remains primarily a country of origin and transit of victims of trafficking in human beings. Some 50 victims of human trafficking are identified every year, mainly for sexual exploitation, followed by labour exploitation. Most presumed victims are female and close to one-third are children.
GRETA welcomes that the country has expanded its legislative framework to enhance action against human trafficking. Key reforms include extending the non-punishment provision, amendments to the Victims Act facilitating access to state compensation, and an improved National Referral Mechanism that simplifies victim identification and referral procedures. In addition, the National Programme for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (2024-2028) prioritises early victim identification, access to services, and improvements to the criminal justice process.
A key focus of GRETA’s report is the vulnerability of specific groups to trafficking. The Slovak authorities recognise that unaccompanied children and children living or leaving institutional care, persons from the Roma community, homeless individuals, migrants, asylum seekers, and persons with disabilities are particularly at risk.
Whilst acknowledging some measures in place to address the risks they are exposed to, GRETA urges further action to safeguard these vulnerable groups, including strengthening the protection of children in state care, increasing awareness and training for professionals working with Roma communities, and enhancing the capacity of labour inspectors to identify trafficking victims in the workplace.
The report notes positively Slovakia’s efforts to raise awareness and prevent human trafficking facilitated through information and communication technology. It, however, considers that the authorities should strengthen the capacity of investigators to monitor online activities, conduct undercover operations, and analyse social networks to detect and prevent human trafficking crimes carried out via digital platforms.
Despite this progress, GRETA remains concerned that several recommendations from its previous reports have not yet been fully implemented. It urges the authorities to:
- Ensure that cases of human trafficking are investigated proactively and promptly and prosecuted effectively, leading to effective, proportionate and dissuasive sentences;
- Facilitate access to compensation for victims of trafficking by ensuring that they can access legal aid at the outset of criminal proceedings, collecting evidence on financial gains obtained through the victims’ exploitation, and fully utilising asset freezing and forfeiture legislation to secure compensation for victims;
- Provide a legally mandated recovery and reflection period granting presumed victims of human trafficking access to assistance and protection before formal identification.
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The Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) is an independent body which monitors the way countries implement the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. All 46 member states of the Council of Europe are bound by the Convention, as well as non-member states Belarus and Israel.
