IJM Drives Legislative Changes to Improve Assistance and Protection of Victims of Crime and Accountability of Traffickers, alongside Romanian Parliamentary Commission against Human Trafficking and ANAIS Association

BUCHAREST, September 24, 2024 - International Justice Mission, the Romanian Joint Special Commission of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate for Combating Human Trafficking, and ANAIS Association worked together to develop two legislative drafts that will improve assistance and protection for the victims of crime and allow a more effective prosecution of traffickers, as the modification to the Criminal Code will transfer the acts of pimping in aggravated form to human trafficking offenses. Both bills were voted unanimously by the Senate on September 10^th, and are now in the Chamber of Deputies.

These bills are part of a broader initiative launched this year by the Parliamentary Commission and IJM to strengthen the criminal legislation in Romania in order to respond more effectively to the problem of human trafficking. In the first six month of 2024, the law to increase punishment limits for human trafficking, child trafficking, modern slavery and online sexually exploitation of children, as well as the exclusion of the possibility of ordering the suspension of the execution of the sentence under supervision in such cases, was adopted. The consolidation of the legislative framework is one of the objectives set in the Romanian National Strategy Against Trafficking in Persons 2024-2028.

"The collaboration between the Parliament, the Government and civil society has never been more intense, more honest and more fruitful than now, in terms of combating human trafficking. Therefore, probably the greatest benefit that the Parliamentary Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons brings to our political culture is the proof that a broad consensus can be achieved when we have openness, coordination, and a good use of the mechanisms of social dialogue between political parties, government institutions and NGOs.”, said Florin Manole, President of Joint Special Commission of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate for Combating Human Trafficking.

"Following the establishment of the Parliamentary Commission to Combat Human Trafficking, Romania has taken real steps in the right direction and in about 9 months three laws were developed - one is already adopted and two are in the process of being adopted - and a partnership with the US State Department was set and now Romania benefits of a strong support to combat child trafficking through the CPC funding. Equally, we have identified the need for a national political consensus on combating human trafficking and I invite the parliamentary parties to include measures against human trafficking in their programs. We have a lot of important things to do: rethinking the victim assistance system, analysing the human resources capacity of specialized law enforcement units, adjusting vital procedures in criminal procedure to shorten the duration of the trials and NGOs financing. Another crucial issue is international cooperation, given that a large number of Romanian citizens are exploited in other counties. In my opinion, Romania should become a regional or even European leader in a future political alliance for the fight against human trafficking", said Cristian Băcanu, Vice-President of Joint Special Commission of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate for Combating Human Trafficking.

"The U.S. government is dedicated to supporting the global anti-trafficking fight and to partnering with Romania to end human trafficking. As Secretary Blinken said, “trafficking is the very definition of a problem that no one nation can solve alone”. Not only close transnational cooperation, but also strong partnerships between stakeholders – government, NGOs, legislators, law enforcement, survivor communities – are key to creating a safer world without human trafficking. And here I want to applaud the strong partnership between the Parliament’s Joint Anti-Trafficking Commission, civil society, and their allies in the government", said Kathleen Kavalec, U.S. Ambassador to Romania, during the event.

"The legislative amendment that established the Crime Prevention Support Mechanism created the premises for a more efficient response of the state in supporting victims. We have extended the list of compensations for which victims can receive reparations from the state, so that they can now also receive compensation for moral damages. Secondly, the vouchers system mentioned was created in order to cover urgent needs. Thus, victims of crime can receive an advance from compensation in the form of a voucher up to an amount equivalent to 5 minimum gross basic salaries established for the year in which the victim requested the advance. Vouchers can be used by victims exclusively to cover the costs of food, accommodation, transport, medicines, sanitary items, hygiene and personal care items", explained Mihai Pașca, Secretary of State – Ministry of Justice.

"These bills have a key impact and solve some of the biggest problems in the fight against human trafficking in Romania: they support a better prosecution of the sexual exploitation offences and the improve the accessibility of victims’ rights. When the justice system is victim centered, and the victims feel safe, they participate in the trials and build trust in the justice system. Thus, human trafficking cases have all the chances see good results in justice and to contribute significantly to the victim's healing and restauration process. Otherwise, all the effort made by the justice system, by social services, by NGOs and by the survivors themselves may be in vain, and the traffickers will continue to make new victims and enrich themselves from the exploitation of other peoplet", said Ștefan Coman, Advocacy Lead - International Justice Mission.

"The legislative changes that we support are vital to improve the protection of victims and to prevent the repetition of such tragedies. Increasing penalties, excluding the suspension of sentences for serious crimes and puttin aggravated pimping in the category of human trafficking are decisive steps. But we must not forget that justice is more than punishing: it is also about providing reparation, support and a way forward for survivors. We want survivors and their families to feel that the Romanian state is close to them. Through these legislative changes, we are committed to providing them with financial compensation and a legal framework that protects their rights and helps them rebuild their lives. We fight for a social justice that not only punishes, but heals and supports. The Romanian state has the moral and legal obligation not to abandon these people. Together, we can build a society in which victims are not just numbers in a statistic, but people who are supported, protected and respected. No matter how hard the fight is, the victims are not alone. Justice is on their side, and we - the civil society and the state institutions - are here to offer them hope and support for a better future. ANAIS Association will continue to advocate for the rights of women and children, for fair legislation and for a society in which no one should suffer in silence.", explained Carmen Nemeș, President of the ANAIS Association.