Over the course of 2021 and 2022, authorities identified a total of 127 cases of human trafficking within the country. Notably, there has been a shift in the demographic composition of victims, with a higher proportion of women — 67 in total — compared to 60 men. This change is attributed to the dismantling of a significant forced prostitution network by the police in 2021.
Victims hail predominantly from third countries, including Ukraine, Russia, and China, with their nationalities often influencing the form of exploitation they endure. Fabienne Rossler, Secretary General of the Consultative Human Rights Committee (CCDH), shed light on the distinct patterns of exploitation: “Victims from China and Nepal were predominantly exploited in restaurant settings, whereas those from Ukraine and Russia were for the most part ensnared in the large network of forced prostitution.”
Investigations into these criminal operations are ongoing, with preliminary findings indicating that a prominent figure within the network, also of Ukrainian origin, holds a central role in orchestrating the exploitation.
Of the 29 identified perpetrators, seven are women. The Human Rights Committee further highlighted a concerning trend of increased victimisation within the realm of employment, particularly within the hospitality and construction sectors.
Criticism was directed at the disparity in legal responses between cases of sexual exploitation and exploitation within the workforce. Max Mousel, a legal expert at CCDH, pointed out the inconsistency in sanctions: “While establishments involved in sexual exploitation are routinely shut down, those implicated in labour exploitation often receive only suspended sentences, allowing them to continue operations.”
The CCDH underscores the enduring severity of human trafficking as a criminal offence, emphasising its profitability for perpetrators and the devastating impact on victims.
Criticism is directed at the leniency of judicial responses, with perpetrators often receiving suspended prison sentences and fines disproportionate to the profits amassed from their illicit activities. According to the CCDH, victims’ pursuit of damages through legal channels is hindered by systemic barriers, resulting in meagre compensation ranging between €1,000 and €5,000, “a fraction” of their rightful claims.
Moreover, the CCDH scrutinises the effectiveness of government agencies tasked with identifying and supporting victims of human trafficking. Both the Immigration Directorate and the National Reception Office (ONA) have come under fire for their purported failure to detect victims adequately.
Gilbert Pregno, President of the CCDH, expressed concern over the systemic shortcomings: “We found that the Immigration Directorate and the National Reception Office detected extremely few victims of human trafficking. This calls into question their methodologies, particularly in light of the rampant trafficking activities between Libya and Lampedusa. It’s imperative that we reassess our approach to addressing this issue.”
Pregno also voiced dismay over judicial rulings, deeming them inadequate in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. The disparities between the profits accrued by traffickers and the nominal penalties imposed by courts underscore the need for systemic reforms to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators, according to the Human Rights Committee.
