In a new report published today, the Council of Europe's Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) assesses developments since the publication of GRETA’s first evaluation report on Ukraine in 2014 as regards the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.
The positive steps taken by Ukraine since the first evaluation report include further developing the legal and institutional framework for combating human trafficking, setting up of specialised police units, and designating specialised prosecutors to investigate human trafficking cases, which has led to a to a threefold increase in investigations initiated into criminal offences relating to trafficking in human beings between 2016 and 2017. Efforts to raise awareness and provide training to relevant professionals, including on identifying victims of human trafficking, have resulted in an increased number of persons granted the status of victims. Another positive development is the increase of the number of victims of trafficking who have received a one-time financial grant.
However, GRETA notes that some issues continue to give rise to concern. GRETA urges the Ukrainian authorities to step up efforts to prevent trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, in particular by recruiting and training a sufficient number of labour inspectors, strengthening the supervision of recruitment agencies and reviewing the legislative framework for any loopholes that may limit protection.
