Corruption Enabling Human Trafficking in Bulgaria, US State Dept Says

Bulgaria remains one of the primary source countries of human trafficking in the European Union and government corruption creates an environment enabling some trafficking crimes, the US State Department has said.

“The Government of Bulgaria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so,” the State Department said in its 2015 Trafficking in Persons Report released on Monday.

“Despite these measures, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing anti-trafficking efforts compared to the previous reporting period.”

During the reporting period (from April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015), the government’s anti-trafficking efforts in prosecution, protection, prevention, and coordination all declined, according to the report.

To improve its record, Bulgaria’s government needs to step up efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict traffickers, particularly for labor trafficking, as well as government officials complicit in trafficking, the State Department said.

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