As of January 2018, we have filed 17 criminal complaints against 34 persons suspected to have committed human trafficking-related crimes and identified 20 human trafficking victims, said Serbian Police Director Vladimir Rebic.
“In March 2018, we have set up anti-trafficking police teams in all police departments in Serbia. Using a proactive approach, in cooperation with prosecutors’ offices, they are designed to increase efficiency of prosecution and identification of human trafficking-related crimes,” Rebic said at the launch of a Twinning project “Support for strengthening fight against trafficking in human beings” funded through IPA 2014.
The Director of the Police said that the Twinning project, implemented with support from the EU and Ministries of Interior of Austria and Slovenia, should improve coordination among relevant institutions in fighting against human trafficking and step up international cooperation.
“The goal of the project is to increase efficiency in identifying the cases of human trafficking, to prevent them and protect victims in the recruitment stage by strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Interior, using a proactive approach. The project will contribute to meeting EU accession criteria and implementation of chapters 23 and 24 action plans, by strengthening the capacity of relevant institutions dealing with trafficking in human beings and protection of victims’ rights in line with best EU practices,” Rebic said.
The Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Belgrade Mateja Norcic Stamcar described human trafficking as a serious form of organised crime and added that the project is crucial for Serbia on its EU path.
“In order to make the fight against human trafficking a success, we need to step up investigations, protect victims, secure means by which survivors will receive protection and set up safe houses where they will be protected and urgently admitted,” she said.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior of Austria Peter Goldgruber said that the Southeast Europe region had strategic importance to Austria.
“The countries in the region are faced with the same interior security challenges as Austria. The Ministry of Interior of Austria has established a longstanding cooperation with the Ministry of Interior of Serbia. This is reflected in joint investigative teams whose deployment has become a norm,” Goldgruber said and added that Austria would continue to support Serbia on its EU path.
Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior of Slovenia Sandi Curin described cooperation in the region as an important factor in improving the overall security in Southeast Europe.
“Chapters 23 and 24 pose major challenges on the EU path and Slovenia will continue to support Serbia on that road by offering expertise and any other form of assistance,” said Curin.
