In order to combat human trafficking in Cyprus, it must be treated as an organized crime, award increased compensation to victims in a short period of time, and operate an effective National Reporting Mechanism for the proper support of the victims, who are mainly women and girls, and to inform the citizens about this modern slavery, starting from schools, were the important messages of the discussion on the subject
“The criminal justice system towards the crime of human trafficking” which took place on 28 September 2023 at the Hellenic Bank’s event hall in Nicosia. It was co-organized by the non-governmental organization Step Up Stop Slavery and the British High Commission in Nicosia, with the cooperation of the Embassies of Ireland, Sweden, and the Netherlands, the Hellenic Bank, and the Cyprus Forum 2023.
The discussion was held in English and was part of a series of events in Cyprus during the week of 25-29 September 2023 initiated by Step Up Stop Slavery with the aim, as announced, of working with stakeholders and international and local experts to implement practices to eliminate human trafficking in Cyprus.
Katerina Stefanou said “Human trafficking may be invisible, but it is much closer to us than we think – and the trauma it causes scars people forever. It is no coincidence, she added, that a proposal to amend the EU Directive on measures to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings has been tabled for discussion in the European Council and the European Parliament.
This aims to provide more effective protection for victims and has a gendered approach, recognizing that the vast majority of victims are women victims of sexual and/or labor exploitation.”
