Promotion of the Rights of Trafficked Persons in Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia with Emphasis on Legal Support – A Human Rights-Based Approach

Human Rights League is a partner in the "Promotion of the Rights of Trafficked Persons in Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia with Emphasis on Legal Support – A Human Rights-Based Approach" project which is being realized in the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia.

Project goals:

• Increase the knowledge and awareness of lawyers and social workers in the area of human trafficking, focusing on the victim of human trafficking
• Improve the access of victims to the legal assistance, legal counselling and representation during criminal proceeding or other legal issues based on specific needs of a victim
• Increase the capacity and quality of support and counselling services which are provided to victims by non-governmental organizations
• Improve the ability of non-governmental organizations to effectively promote measures which are needed for the protection and promotion of victims’ rights.

The following activities will be realized under the project:

• Study and assessment of the access and quality of legal assistance, legal counselling and representation of human trafficking victims, their treatment as victims/witnesses in criminal or other proceeding, comparison with standard which is required by the  EU 2011/2011/36 guideline and other relevant international documents
• Identification, selection and training of 20 social workers in each country who are dedicated to legal or other help to the human trafficking victims
• Identification, selection and training of 20 lawyers in each country with an aim to provide legal assistance to the human trafficking victims and defend their rights and interests during criminal proceeding, including three follow-up meetings in each country
• Court cases monitoring (minimum number of 2) with an aim to study the implementation of standards and respecting victims’ rights and their treatment during criminal proceedings in front of a court
• Preparation of leaflet for victims of human trafficking which would inform about victims‘ rights, contain a  list of trained lawyers and would be distributed by governmental and non-governmental organizations which are in touch with human trafficking victims
• Training focused on lobbying and promotion of project’s outcomes on national, international and regional level, as well as promotion of measures needed for the improvement of status of victims of human trafficking in various proceedings

Project involves engagement of sixty (60) lawyers, fifty-five (55) social workers, employers of non-governmental organizations, at least five (5) law school students in each country as well as other experts from the area of fighting against human trafficking (judges, public prosecutors, police, etc.).

Within the project, we will carry out research, trainings, monitoring, expert meetings, lobbying and advocacy, roundtables, publishing and media events.

Expected project outcomes:

• National reports describing current situation in the area of human trafficking and victims’ access to legal assistance including treatment of victims in criminal and other proceeding
• Joint regional report which will contain measures for individual countries
• Viable network of trained social workers and lawyers who will be able to provide legal and other assistance to the victims of human trafficking
• Two (2)case studies in each country related to the course of judicial proceeding
• Leaflet for the victims of human trafficking
• Training of employees from partner organizations in the area of lobbying and enforcement of measures for the benefit of the human trafficking victims
• Enlarging the group of persons who possess information about human trafficking situation in individual countries and are capable to provide qualified assistance

Raising awareness among the victims of human trafficking and their access to legal and other help.

Project partners:

Netherlands Helsinki Committee, ANIMUS Association Foundation (Bulgaria), Ruse Catholic Organization "Caritas" (Bulgaria), The Human Rights League (Slovakia), ADPARE - The Association for Developing Alternative Practices for Reintegration and Education (Romania) and Association Pro Refugiu (Romania)

Please find more:

http://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/entity.action?path=EU+Projects%2FHOME_2011_ISEC_AG_2581

Project is supported by the EU Prevention of and Fight against Crime – ISEC funds.