Experts on human trafficking have expressed concern on the lengthy legal proceedings involving victims and perpetrators.

Victims had been reportedly punished for acts committed when under control of their traffickers

In a study on how Malta is dealing with the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, the group called on the island to apply a victim-centred approach.

The report was compiled by the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and is being pub-lished today.

The group, part of the Council of Europe, recommended not imposing penalties on victims of trafficking for their involvement in unlawful activities.

The group praises Malta for the measures it has introduced so far to combat the problem, including the appointment of a trafficking in persons coordinator and a human trafficking monitoring committee, bringing together all relevant governmental bodies.

It applauded the island for the introduction of the first National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Persons, adopted in October 2011, but urged the Maltese authorities to strengthen coordination between the national authorities and civil society and to ensure that NGOs were involved in the planning and implementation of national anti-trafficking policy.

The group noted that action to raise awareness about human trafficking was limited and called for measures to discourage demand for the services of trafficked people.

Between 2003 and 2011, a “relatively low” number of 25 people were identified as having been victims of trafficking.

It expressed concern that there is no minimum period during which the victim or potential victim of trafficking cannot be removed from Maltese territory.

According to the Convention, this should be set at 30 days.

The group said victims of trafficking should take full advantage of the right to be granted a temporary residence permit.

It encouraged the Maltese authorities to adopt a clear framework for the return of victims in order to avoid re-trafficking and re-victimisation and urged the development of cooperation with the countries of origin of victims to ensure proper risk assessment and safe return.

Despite the existence of different avenues for victims to claim compensation, none had received any, the group said, stressing the importance for victims to be informed of their right to compensation, and ways to access it, and to ensure that victims had effective access to legal aid.

The group expressed concern at reports by civil society that victims had been punished for acts committed when they were under the control of their traffickers and/or deported without being identified as victims of trafficking.

Addressing the lengthy legal proceedings, the group noted that most cases prosecuted since 2006 were still pending.

It stressed the negative implications of lengthy legal proceedings on the redress of victims of trafficking.

These crimes, it insisted, should be “investigated and prosecuted promptly”.

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