“The United States Department of State has published the eighteenth international report on the efforts of various countries in the fight against trafficking in human beings. It is gratifying that Lithuania, as it was last year, is seen as the country committed to the fight against trafficking in human beings and is among the most advanced countries in this field, but we must continue to focus on this issue, while involving the non-governmental sector and our embassies abroad. This time we are set to look for solutions at the highest level”, says Algirdas Stončaitis, Chancellor of the Government and Chairman of the Commission for the coordination of the fight against trafficking in human beings.
The meeting at the Office of the Government discussed the need to update the plan of action against trafficking in human beings, aiming at a closer cooperation with non-governmental organisations, Lithuanian diplomatic missions and consular offices, foreign Lithuanian communities, and the Church, in the framework of the initiatives of Santa Marta Group. The next meeting of the Commission is scheduled in September.
To strengthen the coordination of the fight against trafficking in human beings, the Chancellor of the Government was appointed the Chairman of the Commission for the coordination of the fight against trafficking in human beings, through the Government Resolution of 4 July 2006. The work of the Commission will be organised by a working group composed of delegates from the ministries whose representatives are involved in the activities of the Commission. The Commission will also involve representatives from the UK-Lithuanian community and the Vilnius Office of the International organisation for migration.
The report on the fight against trafficking in human beings shows that Lithuania continued its active fight against trafficking in human beings in 2017 with a larger number of identified victims and perpetrators of trafficking. There is also increased funding for assistance to victims and the related non-governmental organisations, noting also about the creation of mechanisms to coordinate municipal anti-trafficking efforts.
The report states that Lithuania fully meets the requirements of the fight against trafficking in human beings, while pointing out certain areas that require more attention, particularly the need to strengthen the protection of the rights of victims of trafficking in human beings during pre-trial investigation and judicial proceedings, as well as to continue training police officers and child protection specialists in terms of the identification of the victims of the trafficking in human beings.
Efforts need to be taken to raise public awareness as regards trafficking in human beings to prevent this from happening, particularly among socially vulnerable low income people.
