Ivan Demerdzhiev, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the NCCTHB took part in the 23rd Conference of the OSCE Alliance against Trafficking in Human Beings

"From the outset, I would like to reaffirm our determination to work consistently to counter this crime, which unfortunately still occupies a serious place in contemporary society," said Ivan Demerdzhiev, Deputy Prime Minister for Public Order and Security, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (NCCTHB). He was speaking at the 23rd Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Human Beings of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), held in Vienna.

The Deputy Prime Minister underlined that Bulgaria is an example of putting the importance of countering human trafficking at a high political level. Bulgaria is one of the first countries to ratify the United Nations Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children and the Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings and regularly updates its legislation in line with international standards and commitments.

"Regardless of how solidly established a legislative and institutional framework is, in every aspect it needs to evolve to meet current trends and the need for more effective implementation of relevant policies," Demerdzhiev said.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev pointed out that the active participation of our country in international police cooperation through joint operations, joint investigation teams and regular exchange of information continues. The Bulgarian law enforcement authorities are a key part of the efforts at European level to counter trafficking in human beings, interacting effectively with other EU member state authorities and European agencies, most notably Europol.

Regular training is provided to enhance the professional qualifications and capacity of professionals, including in relation to the vulnerability of third-country nationals and specifically people fleeing the war against Ukraine.

"We are working to raise awareness and public sensitivity, to strengthen the administrative capacity of the National Commission and to provide quality care and support to victims of human trafficking placed in specialized services," the Interior Minister further said.

The National Commission has started the process of drafting a new "National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking 2023-2030".

"All of us who are responsible for the creation and implementation of anti-trafficking policies at the national and international level should be guided not only by the desire to translate these policies into action but necessarily to make efforts to provide an appropriate environment for groups at risk and victims of such crimes," the Interior Minister concluded his statement.