LEGAL FRAME

1. “MONITORING, EVALUATING AND REPORTING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION AND POLICIES.“ MAY 23-24, 2013 Ms. ANTOANETA VASSILEVA, BULGARIA BERLIN

2. LEGAL FRAME • In 2002Bulgaria adopted changes in the Penalty Code explicitly criminalizing Human trafficking by adding newsection „Human traffic” (159 а – 159 c); • In 2003 Bulgaria adopted the Law against THB; • In October 2006Bulgaria adopted a change inthe Penalty Code – Art. 159 а, para3 – criminalizing trafficking of pregnant women for the purpose of their baby’s sale; • In April 2009 a new art. 159 c was adopted to criminalise the intentional use of services from victims of trafficking (art. 19 of CoE Convention); • January1, 2007 the Law for Support and Financial Compensations of Victims of Crime entered into force; • Transposition of the EU Directive.

3. BULGARIANPOLICY

4. ROLE OF THE NATIONAL COMMITION FOR COMBATING THB • Develop the national policy and legislation; • Execute the policy within the Annual National Program for prevention and counteraction of THB and victims’ protection; • Data collection and statistic gathering; • Prevention - informational, explanatory and educational campaigns for society in general and groups at risk specifically; • Support and protection on victims - 2 shelters for victims of trafficking; • Manage and control the activity of the 9 Local commissions, 3 informational centers; • Register individuals and non-profit corporate bodies providing asylum to the victims of the illegal traffic of people; • Actively participate in the international cooperation for prevention and combating trafficking in human beings; • Coordinates the National Referral Mechanism; • Focal point for Transnational Referral Mechanism; • Initiate legal changes.

5. MONITORING AND EVALUATION • Implementation on the THB policies in general; • Execution of the activities on combating THB of 12 state institutions • Data and statistic gathering – upgrading the system now; • The activity of the 9 Local commissions, 3 informational centers and 2 shelters for victims of trafficking; • Victims recovery and reintegration; • National Referral Mechanism; • Transnational Referral Mechanism. • Observe NGO activities • Developing a system of monitoring and evaluation on prevention activities.

6. REPORTING ON THE IMPLEMENTAION • Develop and submit for approval the annual REPORT on National Program for prevention • and counteraction of THB and victims’ protection; • New trends and methods of recruitment • Data collection and statistic gathering; • Cases through the National Referral Mechanism and Transnational Referral Mechanism. • Prevention Activities • Victims’ support and reintegration • Registered individuals and NGO’s providing asylum to the victims of the illegal traffic of people; • International cooperation for prevention and combating trafficking in human beings; • Challenges and gaps • Needed Legal changes

7. LESSONS LEARNED • Existence of NREM is very important • Established trustful relationship between countries • Possibility for quick information flow (emails, telephones, fax) • Importance of knowledge exchange on THB cases • Multidisciplinary approach

8. Mrs. ANTOANETA VASSILEVA BULGARIAN COMMISSION FOR COMBATING TRAFFICKING OF HUMAN BEINGS Phone:02 / 8078050 Fax: 02 / 807 80 59 Email:a.vassileva@antitraffic.government.bg 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria 52А, G. M. Dimitrov, Blvd