OSCE Special Representative Valiant Richey: Bulgaria should adopt new national strategy for combating human trafficking

Bulgaria should adopt a new national strategy on combating trafficking in human beings, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey told BTA. He was in Bulgaria to take part in a roundtable on the findings from the Special Representative's country visit and the third evaluation report of the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA).

Richey also said that it is important to fill the vacant position of Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. In his words, Bulgaria is still a country of origin of human trafficking and should increase its efforts in support of vulnerable groups in the population.

He listed as other important recommendations to Bulgaria an increase in the funding for combating human trafficking, better protection of unaccompanied children, criminal persecution of more traffickers and harsher penalties for them, as well as a serious response to online exploitation.