Meeting of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking of Human Beingson of 9 November 2015

      On 9 November 2015 was held the second meeting of the National Committee for Combating Trafficking of Human Beings (NC CTHB) in this year, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Natalia Gherman, president of NC CTHB. Along with NC CTHB members at the meeting participated the representatives of the international organizations missions in Moldova, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations.

      At the meeting, Mrs Natalia Gherman highlighted the main achievements of the anti-trafficking community following the last meeting of the National Committee of 9 April 2015 until present.

      It was mentioned the second review by the group of experts GRETA of Moldovan government about the degree of implementation of the CoE Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (THB), that have to prepare a Report which will be submitted to the Government of the Republic of Moldova for consultation and updating. It was recalled that this year the Council of Europe celebrated 10 years since the adoption of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, Republic of Moldova being the first country that signed and ratified it, and in national practice this fact conditioned more results, being organized and ensured a complex policy approach and  implementation.

      Also, there was listed a number of trainings, workshops organized for specialists from central and local administration, bilateral and multidisciplinary technical meetings, particularly with attention for the examination of issues related to the procedure for emergency placement of children and legal representation of children in the criminal proceedings.

      US Embassy representative in Moldova , Paul G. Graddon, politico-economic officer, presented the recommendations of the Report on Trafficking in Persons of the US State Department and ten recommendations for Moldova. Also, the NC CTHB members and partners were informed about the future reporting procedure.

      Mr. Mircea Buga, Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Family, vice president of  NC CTHB mentioned that although National Referral System is not entirely perfect, it is centered on the needs of victims, giving support in the repatriation process, placement, provision of services of territorial multidisciplinary teams, remarking and new specialized crisis service offered to identified and repatriated migrants in difficulty, recently opened in Chisinau, with  the support of IOM Mission in Moldova and the Czech Development Agency. However, the Minister made ​​reference to the difficulties in implementing the National Referral System related to insufficient assistance and reintegration opportunities for beneficiaries, limited opportunities at the local level (lack of jobs, lack of social accomodations, specialized social centers).

      In his speech, Deputy Minister of Justice, Nicolae Eşanu referred to the content and importance of the two draft laws that have to be completed and promoted in Government, who come to introduce a number of changes to legislation in order to concretize and offer guarantees to THB victims.

      Mr. Sergiu Nani, Head of the Centre for Combating Trafficking in Persons presented information regarding identification and referral of the THB victims to be assisted and protected in order to prevent revictimization and social integration.

      In the same train of ideas, the representative of the Permanent Secretariat of NC CTHB presented information on updated composition of territorial commissions for combating THB, following the local elections in this year and priorities for the future. It was also discussed the need to hold a joint meeting with members of NC CTHB and regional chairmen commissions.

      The meeting was conducted in an interactive and constructive way being attended by NC CTHB members, implementing partners and guests, who came with valuable proposals on measures to be taken in order to prevent and combat trafficking of human beings.